Running out of pet names to call your best guy? Or are neither of you very fond of the ones you've tested out so far? Don't worry, we've collected 181 cute names you can call your boyfriend aside from his given one. Besides, peppering some adorable nicknames for your boyfriend helps make certain requests a lot more palatable. No one wants to be told to take out the garbage, but a refusal is a lot less likely when the command comes tethered to phrases like "sweet pea" and "snuggle bug." And there's even more to it than that.
Coming up with cute names for one another signifies intimacy within the relationship, which is why you should put a little thought into it. Besides, the options are endless. You want a romantic nickname? No problem. Looking for something a little cuter? Sure. You can also decide on a fun nickname for the more spirited men out there. Then again, there's also no shame in phoning it in. Check out the list below for help finding the perfect fit.
READ THIS NEXT: 50 Cute Things to Say to Your Boyfriend Every Day.
The Science of Nicknames
Before we dive into the list, let's quickly discuss the science of nicknames. For those who aren't yet in the know, a cute nickname carries a lot more weight than the general term of endearment. Though more research is needed to identify just how these phrases apply to different demographics, a study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships confirms that the use of nicknames is linked to higher levels of marital satisfaction.
Out of the 154 couples studied, researchers found those in their first five years of marriage and without children were most likely to incorporate cute nicknames into the relationship. Sadly, it seems the further you push into a relationship, the less likely you are to keep up with the sweet talk.
That said, there could be a more positive interpretation of this decline. According to Carol J. Bruess, PhD, who led the study, it's possible that individuals involved in long-term relationships simply stop recognizing their nicknames as something special. In other words, the more time goes by, the more likely those pet names are to become part of the general lexicon.
Bruess also suspects that these titles play an important role in abating conflict, allowing a certain level of playfulness and humor to enter the room.
Supporting evidence appears in The Normal Bar, co-authored by Pepper Schwartz, PhD, professor of sociology at the University of Washington in Seattle. The text, which collected data from almost 100,000 participants through an online survey, found that among those who said they were in “very happy” relationships, 76 percent reported using pet names.
181 Pet Names Your Boyfriend Will Low-Key Love
Now that we know why nicknames matter, let's look at some available options. Read on for our list of cute names to call your boyfriend. And don't hesitate to put your personal spin on things, either.
READ THIS NEXT: 206 Questions to Ask Your Crush So You Can Finally Figure Them Out.
Cute Nicknames for Your Boyfriend
Shutterstock / Marjan Apostolovic
Take a look at the cute nicknames below for some inspiration. These terms are sure to let him know just how much you care.
- Honey Bunny
- Teddy Bear
- Love Bug
- Snuggle Bug
- Darling
- Ace
- Rocky
- Cutie
- Honey Bear
- Buddy
- Sport
- Mr. Man
- Champ
- Cutie Pie
- Kitten
- Baby Face
- Pup
- Sweet Cheeks
- Ducky
- Wuvy
- Wild Thing
- BFG
Goofy Names to Give to Your Boyfriend
Shutterstock / Maridav
Find the perfect pet name for your man and don't be afraid to let things get a little silly.
- Pooh Bear Blue Eyes
- Cookie Monster
- Old Man
- Goober
- Manly Man
- He-Man
- Goofball
- Captain
- Hot Shot
- Snookums
- Squishy
- Macho Man
- Handy Man
- Bubba
- Batman
- Big Guy
- Boo Bear
- Schmoopy
- Baby Doll
- Rockstar
- Puppy
- Chipmunk
- Dream Lover
- Chief
- Hulk
- Petal
- Curly
Romantic Nicknames for Your Boyfriend
Shutterstock / mavo
Choose one of the romantic nicknames below to solidify that special bond with your partner.
- PIC—Partner in Crime
- Light of My Life
- My Other Half
- Baby
- Babe
- King
- Sweet Thing
- Mr. Right
- Angel
- Prince
- My Favorite Man
- My Soul Mate
- Good Lookin'
- Sunshine
- Papi
- Bae
- The first letter of their name (so if his name is Ben, call him "B")
- Good-Looking
- Boo
- My Guy
- Beau
- Hero
- Prince Charming
- Lover Boy
- Dream Boat
- Maverick
Food-Related Nicknames
They don't just taste good, they also sound good. Check out the food-inspired nicknames below.
- Tater Tot
- Potato Cakes
- Meatball
- Pickles
- Honey Pot
- Sweet Pea
- Sweetie Pie
- Jellybean
- Chicken Butt
- Everything Bagel
- Pumpkin Pie
- Stud Muffin
- Cupcake
- Peanut
- Sodapop
- Honey
- Dumpling
- Pudding
- Buttercup
- Marshmallow
- Kit Kat
- Sugar
- Eye Candy
Sweet Nicknames for Your Boyfriend
Shutterstock / Ann Haritonenko
Pick out a cute name below for that special guy in your life. Some options may seem a little old school, but that's only because good things never go out of style.
- My Favorite Person
- The Perfect Guy
- My Sun
- My Moon
- My Stars
- McDreamy
- Hubby
- Lock & Key
- Superman
- Bub
- Dimples
- Babes
- Scout
- Monkey
- Prince
- Everest
- Sweetness
- Precious
- Kid
- Hun
- Love Dove
- Casper
- Champ
- Stripe
Sexy Nickname Options
Spice things up with a sexy, unique nickname for your partner.
- Lover
- Hot Pants
- Boss
- Sailor
- Boy Toy
- Hot Stuff
- Fine Wine
- Sir
- Heartbreaker
- Handsome
- Sexy
- Big Daddy
- Hot Stuff
- Foxy
- Hottie
- Stallion
- Firecracker
- Hot Lips
- Hot Shot
- Muscles
- Stud
- Big Papa
- Mister
- Daddy
- Trouble
- Romeo
- Tiger
- Cowboy
- Tarzan
- Casanova
- Zorro
- Hunk
- Playboy
Nicknames in Different Languages
Time to expand our horizons. Below are some of the best nicknames from around the globe.
- Dulce de Leche ("milk candy" in Spanish)
- Mi Rey ("my king" in Spanish)
- Mon Ange ("my angel" in French)
- Mi Vida ("my life" in Spanish)
- Ke Aloha ("darling" in Hawaiian)
- Mon Chou ("sweetie" in French)
- Cariño ("darling" in Spanish)
- Vishenka ("cherry" in Russian)
- Amorzinho ("sweetheart" in Portuguese)
- Cara Mia ("my beloved" in Italian)
- Mo Chuisle ("my pulse" in Gaelic)
- Liebling ("darling" in German)
- Dropje ("candy" in Dutch)
- Mausebär ("mouse bear" in German)
- Microbino Mio ("my little microbe" in Italian)
- Rodnoy ("my own" in Russian)
- Nyingdu-la (“most honored poison of my heart" in Tibetan)
- Media Naranja ("half an orange" in Spanish)
- Meu Chuchu ("squash" in Portuguese)
- Kicsim ("my little one" in Hungarian)
- Chang Noi ("little elephant" Thai)
- Schnuckiputzi ("sweetie pie" in German)
- Ghazal ("gazelle" in Arabic)
- Babu Shona ("my dear" in Bengali)
- Bebetom ("my baby" in Turkish)
- Mi Amor ("my love" in Spanish)
