If you’re in a relationship, it's not unusual to give your partner nicknames, including but not limited to: bae, baby, my love, boo, sweetheart, etc. Turns out these pet names aren't just cute (even though, okay, some might sound silly), but they can actually be a super important part of your relationship.
"Giving a nickname creates vulnerability on both sides," explains Women’s Health advisory board member Chloe Carmichael, PhD, a New York-based clinical psychologist and author of Dr. Chloe's 10 Commandments of Dating. "The nickname is a display of affection from the giver, while accepting the nickname is an expression of vulnerability from the receiver." Nicknames are also supposed to be, well, humorous, Carmichael says, and they often characterize the other person in an endearing light. (For example, calling your partner "Baby boy" when nobody is looking...)
In short, nicknames imply a deep level of trust and intimacy, according to Carmichael. That said, they're not necessary to keep your 'ship afloat. So, don’t put pressure on making sure you and your partner have nicknames for each other, advises Gigi Engle, a certified sex coach, sexologist, and author of All The F*cking Mistakes: A Guide To Sex, Love, And Life. "Nicknames aren't for everyone, and they aren't a make-or-break thing in relationships. People show affection in lots of ways," Engle says.
Meet the Experts:
Chloe Carmichael, PhD, is a a New York-based clinical psychologist and author of Dr. Chloe's 10 Commandments of Dating.
Gigi Engle is a certified sex coach, sexologist, and author of All The F*cking Mistakes: a guide to sex, love, and life.
Janet Brito, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and certified sex therapist based in Hawaii.
Oh, and one more thing: Make sure your partner actually likes the nickname you've given them. "Whatever you do, do not push the boundary, but instead be respectful and stop using a nickname they don’t like," says Janet Brito, PhD, a clinical psychologist and certified sex therapist based in Hawaii. "If the nickname gives you a feeling of expansiveness—it makes you feel alive, it makes you smile—then it’s a good nickname."
Now, if you’re hyped about the prospect of incorporating some nicknames into your relationship, read on for the 127 best nicknames to call your S.O. Happy relationship-ing.
Classic Nicknames
1. Bae: A popular acronym that stands for "before anyone else." Use it to communicate that they’re yours.
2. Baby: For when you’re feeling particularly loving.
3. Sweetheart: When they’re being particularly nice to you.
4. Babe: This one is a classic for a reason—it’s a pet name only used for someone special.
5. Baby Boy: When you just want to wrap them up in a blanket and nurture them.
6. Sweetie: Use when you’re in the mood for being ~lovey dovey~.
7. BF/GF/S.O.: When you want to keep things short and sweet.
8. Baby Love: When you want to add a little ~romance~ to the equation.
9. Boo: When they’re your special someone and you want to address them on social media or IRL.
10. Bestie: When your partner is also your best friend.
11. My man: Because you want them to assure them that they’re all yours.
12. My guy: Ditto the above.
Cute Nicknames
13. Pookie: Whenever they're being goofy and adorable.
14. Bubba: If they're acting precious and you can't get enough.
15. Snuggle Bug: For when you two are being cozy.
16. Sweetie Pie: When they just did something sweet and totally made your day.
17. Bug: When they're being precious.
18. Goober: For the partner who is lovable but also a liiittle bit awkward (in the best way!).
19. Squishy: This one’s for your partner who is the absolute cuddliest.
20. Bubbie: When they’re being such a cutie you just want to *squish* their precious face.
21. Teddy Bear: When they’re giving you *all* the good snuggles lately.
22. Love Bug: *sings 🎤 I never thought I’d catch this Love Bug again*
23. Chipmunk: Every time they're looking extra cute.
24. Silly: For when they’re acting like a goofball.
25. Bubs: When Bubbie feels *too* cringey to say aloud.
26. Squish: When you want them to know how big of a hug you’re about to give out.
27. Monkey: Use when you two are in a tickle fight.
28. Sweet Boy: For when they’re in the cuddliest mood ever.
29. Hero: When your love language is acts of service.
30. Sweetums: Because “Sweetie” can get old and overused.
31. Snuggle Buddy: What you call them when you’re curling up to watch the new White Lotus episode.
32. Cutie Patootie: When they (and their Patootie) are adorbs.
Casual Nicknames
33. Buddy: When you want to show them they’re your friend, first and foremost.
34. Bro: When you’re just chilling and need to ask them to pass the nachos.
35. Dude: What you call them when you’re trying to bring up something you’re excited about.
36. Man: Because why should this one be reserved for the guys?
Personality-Inspired Nicknames
37. Bookworm: For your partner who’s a big reader.
38. Dream Machine: For when you have a partner who loves to sleep in.
39. Early Bird: When your partner is always up, like, 10 hours before you.
40. Smartypants: For when they’re doing your taxes… or something even sexier (actual pants optional).
41. Handyman: When they know how to fix just about everything around the house.
42. Superstar: When they just killed it at work.
43. Chef: When they just made you a delicious meal. Yes, chef!
Pop Culture-Inspired Nicknames
44. Honey Bunny: For when you want to channel Pulp Fiction.
45. Pooh Bear: If you're in need of a big hug—and inspiration from Legally Blonde.
46. Candyman: When they’re *so* sweet to you, this Christina Aguilera-inspired nickname is the way to profess your attraction.
47. Cookie Monster: For when they’re stealing all the sweets out of your snack drawer.
48. McDreamy: When you're role playing Grey's Anatomy...or not.
49. Firework: Because I don’t sleep on Katy Perry and neither should you.
50. Mr. Big: For when you’re channeling your Sex and the City crush.
51. Wild Thing: Like the 1998 movie, this one's for when your partner is being a little out of pocket.
52. Superman: For when they’re saving your butt for the millionth time.
53. My Boy: Because Billie Eilish’s first EP, Don’t Smile at Me, has been living rent free in my head since 2017.
54. Kroll the Warrior King: When they’re in the mood to be called something ~manly~, courtesy of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
55. Captain Hook: If you don’t know this Megan Thee Stallion song, I encourage you to look up the lyrics yourself.
56. Sexy Baby: Taylor Swift said it best in “Anti-Hero.”
57. Squirt: When they’re being so cute, they remind you of the baby turtle from Finding Nemo.
Food-Inspired Nicknames
58. Stud Muffin: When they're all dressed up and looking even nicer than usual.
59. Honey: For when you want to stick to a simple classic.
60. Cutie Pie: For when they look cute enough to eat.
61. Chicken Nugget: For when they’re looking delicious (and also, adorable?).
62. Peanut: For when they’re acting cute.
63. Cookie: When they’re being the sweetest, and you really just want to gobble them up like a treat.
64. Muffin: When they look like an after school treat.
65. Bean: When you come home to them curled up on the couch.
66. Jelly Bean: For your partner who’s silly but also sweet.
67. Pickle: For your partner who’s a little bit of a weirdo, but you love them anyway.
68. Nugget: When they’re not quite on *chicken* nugget level, but they’re still a little sweetheart.
69. Popsicle: For when your partner’s popsicle is looking extra yummy.
70. Snickers: When your partner reminds you of a piece of candy.
71. Tater Tot: When they’re your little appetizer.
72. Honey Pot: To let them know they're your giant dose of sweetness.
73. Sugar Pie: For when they’re being so sweet you just want to eat them up.
74. Sweet Pea: Use this one any time you end up tucking them in at night.
75. Soda Pop: If they're the bubbliest person you know.
76. Hot Tamale: When they're looking 🔥🔥🔥.
77. Love Muffin: Because sometimes, "Muffin" isn't enough.
Old-Fashioned Nicknames
78. Fella: When you're feeling old-school.
79. Dream Boat: Anytime their looks make you catch your breath.
80. Darling: When you find yourself swooning the way you did when you first met.
81. Charmer: When your partner can make pretty much *anyone* love them to death.
82. Boopsie: When you want to bring back the cutest-sounding nickname of all time. (And boop his nose!)
83. Beau: Because they're your guy.
Title Nicknames
84. Captain: If they're taking charge of date night.
85. Champ: After they just dominated a grueling workout. (Or, ya know, some gentle stretches work, too.)
86. Rockstar: When they’re jamming out or listening to their favorite music. (Or, ya know, just singing in the shower.)
87. Partner In Crime: For when you’re taking on the world together.
88. Boss: When you're giving them control in the bedroom tonight.
89. King: This one works even if they aren’t a short one.
90. King Of My Heart: Cue the Taylor Swift song.
Complimentary Nicknames
91. Hunk: When you recognize their efforts in the gym.
92. Hotshot: When they're acting extra confident.
93. Beautiful: When you’re telling them how attractive they are. (Inside *and* out, of course.)
94. Hottie: Just in case they needed a reminder about how smokin' you find them.
95. Sexy: When you’re ready to take things to the bedroom.
96. Sweet Cheeks: For when you’re checking out that booty.
97. Dimples: For your S.O. who has the cutest dimples on earth.
98. Muscles: For your S.O. who enjoys hitting the gym.
99. Luscious Lips: Yep, for when they're looking particularly kissable.
100. Handsome: When they’re all dressed up and looking their best.
101. Heartthrob: When they look like your teen celebrity crush.
102. Sweet Thang: Use when you want to let them know how fine they’re looking.
103. Macho Man: For when you want to gas up your man.
104. Super Stud: Because he is.
Sexy Nicknames
105. Trouble: When they’re doing questionable activities dangerously close to your Zoom camera.
106. Naughty: For when they’re making you feel ~some kind of way~ right before leaving the house.
107. Firecracker: When your bae has a bit of a fiery streak.
108. You Sexy Thing: *sings 🎤 I believe in miracles!*
109. Hot Pants: Whip this one out when they’re wearing a particularly good-looking pair of denim.
110. Tiger: When they’re being extra fierce in the bedroom.
111. Daddy: …Self-explanatory.
112. Papi: Use this one when things are heating up.
~Intimate~ Nicknames
113. My World: To remind your partner they’re your everything.
114. Soulmate: When you want to convey that you’re a ~forever couple~.
115. Fave: To remind them how special they are to you.
116. My Love: For when you’re feeling romantic.
117. My Heart: For showing them how much they mean to you.
118. Light Of My Life: When they truly make your world a brighter place.
119. Corazón: For telling your partner they have your heart in Spanish.
120. Mi Amor: To show your partner they’re your love in Spanish.
121. My Favorite: Just to remind them they are.
122. My Person: When you two are giving off Meredith and Cristina vibes—but make it romantic.
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123. My Favorite Person: Because they're your favorite, and your person.
124. My Other Half: When you’re showing them how integral they are to your life.
125. Cariño: When they're your absolute darling.
126. Lover: Make Taylor Swift proud with this short and sweet nickname.
127. My Everything: When you want them to know how important they are.
Addison Aloian (she/her) is the assistant love & life editor at Women’s Health. Outside of topics related to lifestyle, relationships, and dating, she also loves covering fitness and style. In her free time, she enjoys lifting weights at the gym, reading mystery and romance novels, watching (and critiquing!) the latest movies that have garnered Oscars buzz, and wandering around the West Village in New York City. In addition to Women's Health, her work has also appeared in Allure, StyleCaster, L'Officiel USA, V Magazine, VMAN, and more.
