Study Says Couples Who Use Pet Names Are More Likely to Be Satisfied in Their Relationships
We’ve all rolled our eyes at couples who have had all-too-cute nicknames for one another, but when the shoe is on the other foot and the relationship is new, suddenly pet names don’t seem all that silly anymore.
Lean into it: Nicknames are supposed to set yourselves apart from the outside world. After all, anyone can use your sweetheart’s given name, but only you can get away with calling him “Schmoopy” (or Wolf or Big Mac, or whatever you go with).
Cute nicknames may have more of a function than just celebrating your relationship (and disgusting your friends and families). At least one study showed that couples who used pet names were more likely to be satisfied in their relationships than those who didn’t use them. Other research noted that nicknames help couples get through conflict, injecting a source of endearment and playfulness into tough moments.
But which ones to choose? How far on the serious-to-silly scale are you really willing to go? Here are more than a hundred cute nicknames for boyfriends (or cute nicknames for girlfriends, or whatever you might call your partner) to get you thinking.
Only you two can decide which ones are right for you. The best pet names come from a shared history together, an in-joke, or at least some of your favorite TV shows or movies that you watch together. But try a few of these on for size to see how they fit, and you just might have a new Captain on your hands.
Food-Related Nicknames for Boyfriends
He's sweet...and maybe a little spicy. You can choose a nickname based off your favorite foods together.
Babycake
Big Mac
Cheesecake
Cherry Pie
Cookie
Cutie Pie
Dumpling
Honey
Honey Bun
Jellybean
Jelly Belly
Meatball
Muffin
Peanut
Pickle
Pudding
Pumpkin
Short Stack
Stud Muffin
Sugar
Sugar Plum
Sweetie
Sweets
Sweet Pea
Tater Tot
Cute Nicknames for Boyfriends
Not for the faint of heart, these names are so ultra-adorable that they require great commitment to pull off. Is he man enough to be Squiggles?
Angel
Amor
Babe/Baby
Boo
Buddy
Bubba
Bubs
Dimples
Fluffy
Lovey
Papa Bear
PIC (as in "partner-in-crime")
Pookie
Snookums
Snuggles
Squishy
Sunshine
Teddy
Nicknames for Boyfriends in Different Languages
The Dutch like to call their significant others "mijn poepie," which literally translated means "my little poop." If that's not romantic enough, try these terms of endearment from languages other than English.
Amore mio ("my love" in Italian)
Amorzinho ("sweetheart" in Portuguese)
Ange or Mon Ange ("angel" or "my angel" in French)
Cara Mia ("my beloved" in Italian)
Cariño ("honey" in Spanish)
Chang Noi ("little elephant" in Thai)
Chuchuzinho ("squash" in Portuguese)
Guapo ("handsome" in Spanish)
Kuschelbär ("cuddle bear" in German)
Liebling ("darling" in German)
Ma Puce ("my flea" in French)
Mi Rey ("my king" in Spanish)
Mo Chuisle ("my pulse" in Gaelic)
Mon Petit Chou ("sweetheart" in French; literally "my little cabbage")
Muru ("crumb" in Finnish)
Ke Aloha ("beloved" in Hawaiian)
Rodnoy ("soul mate" in Russian)
Schnuckiputzi ("cutie pie" in German)
Terrón de Azúcar ("sugar lump" in Spanish)
Xiao Bao ("little bun" in Mandarin)
Title-Related Nicknames for Boyfriends
Bequeathing a title, or other official-sounding marker of status, shows that he's the top man for the job. (But just make sure you get one in return!)
Ace
Admiral
Baron
Boss
Captain
Chief
Coach
Doc
Duke
King
Major
Mister/Mister Man
Monsieur
Prince
Professor
Sailor
Sergeant
Sir
Actual Pet Names for Boyfriends
Animal names are a cute couple's go-to, but which ones? Feline, fowl or something a little more ferocious?
Anaconda
Bear
Bee
Bugs
Bunny
Dragon
Ducky
Foxy
Hawk
Honey Bee
Honey Bunny
Lion
Love Bug
Penguin
Puppy
Tiger
Stallion
Wolf
Pop Culture-Related Nicknames for Boyfriends
Whether you like cuddling up to Seinfeld reruns or keep re-visiting the Shire of the Lord of the Rings, these names recall your favorite fictional adventures.
Booboo
Casanova
Cyrano
Don Juan
Drogo
He-Man
Hercules
McDreamy/McSteamy
Mr. Big
My Lobster
My Precious
Padawan
Prince Charming
Pinky
Pooh Bear
Romeo
Schmoopy
Not-Entirely-Serious Nicknames for Boyfriends
Sometimes it's fun to just call each other by the silliest, most over-the-top names you can think of. When the mood strikes, try one of these on, and see if you can say them without laughing.
Bubble Butt
Dream Boat
Fuzzy Butt
Goober
Hunk
Hot Lips
Hottie McHotpants
Hubba Hubba
Lover Boy/Loverman
My Dude
Playboy
Snuggle Buggle
Studly
Sweet Cheeks
Wild Thing
Wonderboy
Wuvy
You Might Also Like