FWIW, I searched on my computer--I have two ZWO ASI 1600s and they both have nicknames.
I don't know the details of the various ZWO drivers (though I did add the nicknames functionality),
but here's a screenshot of some searching in ~/.indi

BTW, I've had no crashing, etc. Perhaps there's some issue with say setting up a profile or optical train using one name then changing/setting the nickname? Perhaps re-init your optical trains, and/or create a. new profile?

Hy