Research Proves Why You Should Use Pet Names With Your Boyfriends, Husbands or Partners

Marisa LaScala
·4 min read
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Research Proves Why You Should Use Pet Names With Your Boyfriends, Husbands or Partners

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Those who have used pet names for a partner have seen the sideways glances, eye rolls and dismissive looks from others who think it's cheesy to have couple-centric nicknames. But it's the pet-name users who have the last laugh, since studies show that pet names can actually be beneficial for couples.

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.

What nickname you choose for your boyfriend, though, is up to you as a couple. Do you want something cute and flirty? Something classic and romantic? Maybe a nickname borrowed from a language that's connected to you to you as a couple? The best nicknames for boyfriends will mean something to you both, won't feel too silly and encapsulates something about who you are together.

If you're looking for pet name for a boyfriend, husband or partner — or nicknames for a girlfriend as the case may be — try a few of these on for size, and see if he's more of a Boo Boo or a Xiao Bao.

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

beautiful biracial couple riding bicycle in deserted piazza navona, rome, italy, used to illustrate a story about cute nicknames for boyfriends
Kathrin Ziegler - Getty Images

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

young male couple carrying dog on suburban sidewalk to illustrate a story about cute nicknames for boyfriends
Matt Dutile - Getty Images

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

  • Meldo

  • 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

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