137 Cute and Funny Nicknames for Friends That Totally Encapsulate Your BFFs
Updated: Sep. 06, 2023
From classic and cute to utterly silly, this list has the perfect nicknames for all your friends
Roll into a work meeting and drop “bestie” on your boss, and you may get more than an eyebrow raise. But your actual besties? They’re all for clever monickers that prove you two are thick as thieves. The trick, of course, is finding just the right nicknames for friends you consider your nearest and dearest.
The best names are personal and fit both you and your pal. One of your buddies might prefer funny names, while your other may appreciate something more sincere. However casual these aliases are, deciding on nicknames for friends isn’t a task you should take lightly. After all, the name will likely last your pal for years.
Coming up blank? Don’t worry. Just as we’ve given you some truly great nicknames for boyfriends and girlfriends, we’ve created the ultimate list of nicknames for friends. Settled on a favorite and want to show off your friendship to the world? Look to our list of best friend captions for Instagram and get ready to post all those adorable photos with your ride or die.
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What should you consider when choosing nicknames for friends?
The most important thing to consider when deciding on nicknames for friends is whether your pals feel comfortable being called by a nickname in the first place, according to psychologist and friendship expert Irene S. Levine, PhD. Some people don’t like being nicknamed, and that’s fine.
Take the time to reflect on a friendship before making the choice to nickname someone. “You also want to make sure your relationship is close and intimate enough that you can call someone by a nickname,” she says. “If you see your friend cringing, you know you’ve chosen a name that is annoying.”
Which leads us to the next tip: You need to make sure the nickname you’ve chosen is one that your friend is OK with. Levine recommends running a specific nickname by your friend before using it for the first time.
If you really want to nickname someone but none of your friends seem like a good fit, try a romantic partner. “Because many people associate nicknames with romance, it may be easier to [bestow] a nickname on a romantic partner than a platonic friend,” Levine says. If all else fails, scratch your naming itch by giving yourself a new funny username online.
Classic nicknames for best friends
If you’re lucky enough to have a BFF you’ve known forever—or you’re so close that it feels like you’ve known each other for ages—try one of these classic nicknames for lifelong besties. And speaking of humor, your best pal will really appreciate a few funny friendship quotes as well.
- BFF
- Buddy
- Bestie
- Forever Friend
- Pal
- Chum
- Sister
- Brother
- Ride or Die
- Sport
- Buster
- Day One
Funny nicknames for friends
Giving friends funny nicknames is a great way to make them feel special—and make them laugh. Want to make the whole gang giggle? These funny group chat names will have them in stitches.
- Brother from Another Mother
- Sister from Another Mister
- Party Animal
- Marshmallow
- Goofball
- Goober
- Chuckles
- Cheeky Monkey
- Cheeseball
- Long-Lost Cousin
- Baddie
- Air Bud
Cute nicknames for friends
Level up the wholesome vibes with one of these adorable nicknames for a best bud. And if your BFF is covered in fur? There’s no shame in loving your pet—a dog is a person’s best friend, after all. Check out our list of pet names if you’ve recently brought home a new furry or feathered family member.
- Boo
- Kiddo
- Munchkin
- Darling
- Lovely
- Scout
- Giggles
- Bumblebee
- Cowboy
- Cutie Pie
- Babycakes
- Chickadee
- Dimples
- Smiley
- Smoosh
- Squish
- Bubbles
- Button
- Buttercup
- Bug
Food-related nicknames for friends
Food might be one of the biggest inspirations for nicknames everywhere, and for good reason—food-related names are totally fun and adorable. Maybe one of these will suit your taste. Or give your pal a nickname based on some (totally real!) funny food names.
- Bean
- Pumpkin
- Noodle
- Peanut
- Cookie
- Honeybun
- Cupcake
- Pudding
- Dumpling
- Sugar
- Gumdrop
- Nugget
- Sprinkles
- Muffin
- Hot Sauce
Nicknames for guy best friends
Nicknames can be a great way to lighten up a bromance or any other kind of friendship. Use one of these traditionally male nicknames to hype up your guy friend—or poke fun at him (harmlessly, of course!). Want to make him laugh the moment he walks through your door? Use one of these funny Wi-Fi names and subtly show your sense of humor.
- Dude
- Bro
- Amigo
- Chico
- King
- Champ
- Chief
- Boss Man
- The Kid
- Mister
- Tank
- Absolute Unit
- Lad
- Mate
- Ace
- Prince
- Duke
- Coach
Nicknames for girl best friends
No one has your back like your best gal pal. Treat her like royalty and call her Queen—or one of these other fun choices. Need another way to tell her how much she means to you? Turn to the words of others and send her some friendship quotes.
- Sis
- Girl
- Girlie
- Gal
- Hun
- Amiga
- Chica
- Queen
- Queen Bee
- B
- Doll
- Barbie
- Soul Sister
- Sassy
- Diva
- Blondie
- Princess
- Duchess
Funny pop-culture nicknames for friends
Another way to get your friends to laugh (and simultaneously show them you care) is to reference an inside joke—or a pop-culture icon you know they’ll appreciate. Try one of these well-known references to beloved books, TV shows, movies and more. And speaking of pop culture … Once you’ve determined the best nickname for a friend, it’s time to name your book club or TV-bingeing crew.
- Old Sport
- McLovin
- Captain America
- Smelly Cat
- Doc
- Superman
- Wonder Woman
- Sherlock
- Rambo
- Rocky
- Miss America
- Goofy Goober
- Smooth Operator
- Hercules
- Zeus
- Atlas
- Jedi Master
- Flash
- James Bond
- McDreamy
- Romeo
Silly and sarcastic nicknames for friends
Channel your inner Chandler Bing (and that sardonic sense of humor) into funny nicknames for friends—just make sure they won’t take it the wrong way! As Levine notes, it’s always a good idea to check with your friend before debuting the new nickname to a crowd. The last thing you want to do is offend your bud. If you’re worried, go with something a bit more silly, like Stinky or Clown.
- Smarty
- Stinky
- Silly
- Shorty
- Menace
- Troublemaker
- Punk
- Firecracker
- Charmer
- Houdini
- Weirdo
- Funnyman
- Shawty
- Smartmouth
- Smart Alec
- Einstein
- Clown
- Joker
- Knockout
- Rebel
- Loverboy
While you’re dishing out the LOLs, share some of these funny friend memes with your besties.
About the expert
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Irene S. Levine, PhD, is a psychologist, award-winning journalist, friendship expert and the author of Best Friends Forever: Surviving a Breakup with Your Best Friend. Through her Friendship Blog, she gives advice for navigating friendships at every stage of life.
Originally Published: September 06, 2023
