40+ Nicknames for Your Boyfriend
Today, the Once team is diving into the world of pet names for boyfriends. We’re going to find out good and romantic nicknames for boys, look into the process of picking the nickname, and discuss if it’s cool or not.
What to consider before giving your bf a nickname?
There are so many cute names to call your boyfriend, so how does one choose? Well, it’s not exactly rocket science, but you can consider the following criteria to help you pick a nickname that’s sweet and meaningful for your relationship:
- Does your boyfriend mind having one? For starters, let’s define if your partner is okay with you nicknaming them. Normally, the person wouldn’t mind nicknames in general but can hate particular options. However, if your boyfriend hates the idea of a pet name, it would be best to respect their preference, even if you really like calling people sweet names. To find out their stance on nicknames, ask them when you meet them next time, or text them in the dating chat if you’re shy about it.
- The meaning behind a nickname. Nicknames don’t have to have a deep meaning, but if you have an inside joke, a memorable moment, or something else that makes sense only to the two of you – applying it to a nickname would give it extra sentimental value.
- Keep it short. Nicknames should be embedded in conversations easily, so it’s best to keep them nice and short. Something lengthy, complex, and hard to pronounce will feel unnatural.
- Make it public-friendly. Using slurs and potentially offensive nicknames is definitely an option, but it’s best if your pet names can be pronounced out loud in a family-friendly setting. This will make it more universal and help you avoid the embarrassment of accidentally calling your boyfriend something unspeakable in front of unsuspecting passers-by.
- Pick up a few options. You don’t have to resort to just one nickname. There can be a selection of them – each for a different mood or occasion. Also, you can have silly nicknames that can be changed up to be more sexy for your freaky time together.
Lastly, when you’re deciding on what to call your boyfriend, your best bet is to go with something that feels natural and genuine. It should feel authentic to you and your relationship, and, most importantly, it should bring joy.
Why are nicknames important?
Terms of endearment have many benefits for relationships. Some of them might come as a surprise to you!
Nicknames:
- Express affection
- Foster intimacy
- Add fun to the relationship
- Build positive associations
- Boost self-esteem
- Symbolize love
If you think about the reasons why we even have nicknames, it’s to express our warm feelings towards the other person. Nicknames symbolize a special bond and the closeness that the couple has.
They also help create a sense of belonging which boosts the self-esteem of the person who’s been given a nickname. Like, you care enough about them to call them something special and cute, so they can rest assured they are appreciated and cared for. And if there’s something we all need in this crazy world, it’s the feeling of confidence that you get when you’re loved and cherished.
Additionally, if your perfect match stands out for particular reasons or qualities, nicknaming them in association with it is a great way to highlight what you like about them and make it a part of your daily interaction. In general, voicing what you love about the other person is an important principle in mindful dating, and nicknames help a lot on that front.
Last but not least, nicknames are simply fun! It’s nice to add playfulness to the relationship, especially if you are in the slow dating game and have been together for a while.
Nickname ideas for your boyfriend
Okay, here is what we’ve been waiting for! Scroll through our curated list of nicknames that we’ve also subcategorized for your convenience.
Cute nicknames
These are many classic and cute pen names you can use to show affection to your partner.
- Sweety
- Dear
- Ace
- Boo
- Honey bear
- Cutie (pie)
- Babe, baby, bae
Romantic and somewhat flirtatious nicknames
The following nicknames are a bit more flirty and can be sexualized in bed. They’re also perfect for when you’re dating online or sexting.
- Mr handsome
- Casanova
- Prince Charming
- Romeo
- Darling
- The knight in shining armor
- My world
Funny and goofy nicknames
Not all nicknames need to be serious! You can also call your bf something jokingly.
- Sugar daddy or sugar baby
- Tough guy
- Hotshot
- Wild thing
- Hearts slayer
Food-related nicknames
Don’t we all love food? It’s one of the best pleasures in life, so it makes total sense to call your lover something associated with food.
- Honeybun
- Sugar
- Doughnut
- Marshmallow
- Pumpkin
- Sweet pea
- Tater tot
- Biscuit
- Cupcake
- Sugar plum
- Jellybean
- Peach
Pop-culture referencing nicknames
What are we without our pop culture? Use familiar references to nickname your boyfriend.
- Captain America
- Superman
- James Bond
- Pooh bear
- Mr. Big
- My precious
Are nicknames cute or cringe?
Is it cringe to call your boyfriend honey bear? Would you say it’s cute to refer to your partner as sweety pie?
Now, there’s no authority out there to tell us what’s wrong and what’s right. Nicknames can be both lovely and weird. A lot depends on who is using those nicknames, in what situations, and who they apply to.
For example, if your relationship is largely dysfunctional and is basically one big walking red flag, and your close friends know about it, they might cringe if they hear you two call each other sweet pet names in public when they know what’s going on behind closed doors.
Moreover, not all nicknames make sense for all people. It’s something similar to personal style. Some things fit, others don’t. A lot depends on the context too. You probably wouldn't want to call your lover pet names if you are in a formal meeting with a third party. You can, but it would be weird.
Ultimately, you are the one who decides what’s best for your relationship, and that applies to nicknames too! Like them? Great, call your bf all sorts of pet names! Think they’re corny and unnecessary? Also great, skip them, and enjoy your romance nickname-free.
If you’re on the fence though, here are a few criteria to help you make up your mind:
- You are comfortable using pet names in public and in private
- You have great nickname ideas for your boyfriend
- Nicknames are something you grew up with in the family and friend circles
- You like it when somebody calls you by the nickname
If you’ve agreed with the statements above, then nicknames are probably for you. If reading these four sentences makes you feel icky, then drop the cutesy names and just go with your man’s given name.
What if you don’t like the nickname your boyfriend calls you?
To sign off, let’s talk about the unfortunate situation of when your bf calls you something you don’t want to go by.
What should you do in that case? First of all, think of how you’d want your partner to address this if the tables were turned. You’d probably want them to be kind and not lash out at you, right? So that’s how you should approach them about it too. Keep it respectful and kind.
Explain to them why a certain nickname is not vibing with you. Perhaps, you associate it with something negative, or it just doesn’t fit who you are from your perspective. If you have alternatives, or maybe some other nicknames that your bf used and you enjoyed, then ask him to use those instead.
Finally, tell them you love that they’ve come up with a cute pet name for you as a concept, and you appreciate them caring enough for you to do it.
