Love is in the air! Here’s how to choose the perfect nicknames for your hunka hunka burnin' love—aka your boyfriend or hubby.
Why would Prince Philip call Queen Elizabeth II … “cabbage”? How romantic can a veggie be? As far as the late queen is concerned, very romantic! While that might not be your first choice, having nicknames for a boyfriend or husband is a sweet and natural part of a romantic relationship.
A cute name for your boyfriend isn’t just a casual label or a feature of a romantic comedy movie—it’s a symbol of how you feel about a person and what they mean to you, says psychologist Scott Lyons, DO, the author of Addicted to Drama. “Each time the pet name is spoken, it speaks affection, admiration, security and love. Even the tone and pitch in which it’s said evokes a special feeling,” says Dr. Lyons. In other words, choosing the right name can deepen intimacy and make your bond even stronger.
Not sure how to be romantic? The best pet names for boyfriends can be sweet, flirty, funny or even inspired by food. Once you’ve chosen a nickname, you can use it in love messages, flirty texts and while whispering sweet nothings to your beloved. Read on to find out all the quirky yet cute names to call your boyfriend, plus Dr. Lyons’ tips for picking a name that fits your partner. And trust us when we say this: It can totally transform your relationship.
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Cute nicknames for a boyfriend or husband
- Honey Bear
- Sweet Stuff
- Love Bug
- Mr. Right
- My Main Man
- Cowboy
- Ace
- Sweet Thing
- Fly Guy
- Captain
- Hunk
- Big Guy
- Sir Loves-a-Lot
- Cutie Patootie
- Babe
- Boo (variations: Boo-Boo and Boo-Boo Bear)
- Señor Sauve
- Muscles
- Pookie
- Lovey Love
- Snuggle Buddy
- Bubs (variations: Bubsy, Bubsy Wubsy and Bubba)
Romantic nicknames for a boyfriend or husband
- Romeo
- Mi Amor (“My Love” in Spanish)
- Mi Corazon (“My Heart” in Spanish)
- Cara Mia (“My Beloved” in Italian)
- Handsome
- Casanova
- My Knight in Shining Armor
- Sweetheart (variations: Sweetie and Sweetie-Pie)
- My Forever
- Amoreaux (“Lover” in French)
- Love
- Soulmate
- Adonis
- Prince Charming
- Darling
- My One and Only
- Dreamboat
- My Safe Place
- My Happily Ever After
- My World
- My Mister
Funny nicknames for a boyfriend or husband
- Hunka-Hunka Burnin’ Love
- Partner in Crime
- Sofa King
- Slayer of Hearts
- Sugar Daddy
- Stud Muffin
- Cuddle Puddle
- Snuggly Wuggly
- Sparkle Britches
- Fuzzy Wuzzy
- Smarty Pants
- Sweetums
- Tough Guy
- Hotshot
- Wild Thing
- Dream Machine
- Dreamy McDreamboat
- Captain Charisma
Food-inspired nicknames for a boyfriend or husband
- Love Nugget
- Beefcake
- Hot Buns
- Big Mac
- Honey Buns
- King-Sized Candy Bar
- Marshmallow
- Love Muffin
- Hot Chocolate
- Sugar
- Butter Biscuit
- Cupcake
- Sweet Cheeks
- Doughnut
- Macho Nacho
- Dumpling
- Pumpkin
- Good & Plenty
- Sweet Pea
- Tater Tot
- Hot Tamale
Pop-culture nicknames for a boyfriend or husband
- Superman
- Maverick
- Thor
- Mr. Universe
- Pooh Bear
- Rocky
- MVP
- The Dude
- Captain America
- 007
- Iron Man
- Mr. Big
- Schmoopy
- My Precious
- Han Solo
- Ninja
- McDreamy
- McSteamy
- My Rock
- My Lobster
Actual pet nicknames for a boyfriend or husband
- Tiger
- Teddy Bear
- Love Monkey
- Honey Badger
- Puppy
- Kitten
- Lion King
- Honey Bunny
- Ducky
- Papa Bear
- Stink Bug
- Love Bandit
- Young Grasshopper
- Bear
- Stallion
- Fox
- Hush Puppy
- Very Hungry Caterpillar
Whether you choose sweet, romantic, funny, flirty or cute names for your boyfriend or husband, what makes them special is the love behind them. The best nicknames for the man in your life are those that feel natural, make both of you smile and remind him just how much he means to you.
FAQs
What should you consider when choosing nicknames for your boyfriend?
A pet name, whether for your boyfriend or husband, might originate from an inside joke, a shared experience, a tradition, a bit of pop culture, a certain way you see the other person or just a sweet term of endearment.
Nicknames can also evolve over time, as seen with Prince Philip’s sweet nickname for Queen Elizabeth: mon petit chou. The French directly translates to “my little cabbage,” but it’s used as a term of endearment, kind of like “sweetheart.” Eventually, this got shortened to the prince simply calling the queen “cabbage,” even sometimes in public.
Other couples probably wouldn’t gravitate to a leafy green for a pet name, but it worked perfectly for the royal couple, says Lyons. It also shows how much fun it can be to use nicknames from other languages!
What are the most popular flirty nicknames for boyfriends?
Some of the most common pet names for boyfriends include Babe, Boo, Sweetheart and Honey. There’s a reason they never go out of style. These tried-and-true classics are simple, affectionate and instantly recognizable as terms of endearment. They work well in almost any situation, whether you’re sending a quick text, writing a love poem to him, saying goodnight or showing him a little love in public without being over the top.
What’s a unique nickname I can use for my boyfriend?
If you want something that feels more personal, try drawing inspiration from shared jokes, his favorite foods or even TV and movie characters—think: Pumpkin, Casanova or Maverick. Unique nicknames don’t have to make sense to anyone else; in fact, the best pet names for boyfriends often come from small moments that only the two of you understand. The more meaningful the backstory, the more special the nickname will feel to him.
Can I use more than one nickname?
Absolutely! Many happy couples use a mix of sweet and funny names depending on the moment. You might call him something playful when you’re joking around or asking him to solve love riddles, then switch to something romantic when you’re feeling more affectionate. Having a variety of nicknames keeps things lighthearted and fun while also showing the many sides of your relationship.
About the expert
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Why trust us
For over 100 years, Reader’s Digest has explored the nuances of relationships, working with such luminaries as Dr. Ruth Westheimer, John Gottman, PhD, and Leo Buscaglia (“Dr. Love”). We ran a decade-long relationships column and have published a compendium of features, Love and Marriage: The Reader’s Digest Guide to Intimate Relationships. For this piece on nicknames for boyfriends, Charlotte Hilton Anderson tapped her experience as an award-winning journalist who covers etiquette, relationships, psychology, health and lifestyle to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We support this information with credentialed experts and primary sources, such as government and professional organizations, peer-reviewed journals and our writers’ personal experiences where they enhance the topic. We verify all facts and data and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Source:
- Scott Lyons, DO, licensed holistic psychologist, author of Addicted to Drama and host of the Gently Used Human with Dr. Scott Lyons podcast
