Familiar name for a northern current (5)

I believe the answer is:

neddy

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'familiar name' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'northern current' is the wordplay.
'northern' becomes 'n' (abbreviation e.g. N. Ireland).
'current' becomes 'eddy' (eddy is a kind of current).
'n'+'eddy'='NEDDY'

'for a' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for neddy that I've seen before include "One of child's 23 ac" , "Donkey (colloq.)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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