What should I call my boyfriend?

Over 100 nickname ideas, from sweet to silly to “mon chou.” Plus a quick quiz to find the style that fits him, and a few names to skip.

Short answer: call your boyfriend something that fits who he is and makes him smile. The classics are babe, baby, honey and love. If you want something more personal, pick a name tied to his quirks, a shared memory or an inside joke. Below are 100+ ideas, grouped by style, plus a quick quiz to help you choose.

What kind of nickname fits him?

Not every man lights up at “cupcake.” Some love it. Some would rather be called Chief. Answer six quick questions about him, and you’ll get the nickname style that suits him best.

Classic names to call your boyfriend

These are popular for a reason. They’re easy to say, they work in any setting, and nobody has to explain them.

• Babe, Baby, BaeThe everyday favorites. Short, warm and easy to say across a room or a parking lot.
• Honey, Hon, SweetheartA little old-fashioned in the best way. They sound like a couple who’s been happy for 30 years.
• Love, My love, LoverSimple and grown-up. “Love” works especially well at the end of a text.
• Darling, Dear, SweetieSoft and gentle. Great for a sleepy “morning, darling.”
• Handsome, Hot stuff, StudFor when you want him to walk a little taller today.
• Sugar, My man, MisterWarm with a little swagger. “Thanks, mister” lands better than you’d think.

Sweet nicknames for a soft-hearted guy

If he’s the type who remembers your coffee order and tears up at dog videos, these will suit him.

• Sunshine, Sunny, My sunFor the man who makes a gray day feel lighter.
• Teddy bear, Bear, Cuddle bearBig hugs, big heart. Bonus if he’s tall or bearded.
• Honeybun, Cupcake, MuffinBakery-sweet. Best saved for private moments if he blushes easily.
• Love bug, Snuggle bug, Cuddle bugFor the guy who always finds his way to your side of the bed.
• Sweet pea, Peanut, PumpkinTiny-sounding names that land extra cute on a big guy.
• Angel, Dreamboat, HeartthrobA little dramatic, a lot of fun. Say it like you mean it.
• Boo, My person, CutieCasual and close. “My person” works when you mean it most.

Funny nicknames that make him laugh

Some couples show love by teasing. If you two are always laughing, try one of these. Keep it light. The joke should make him feel liked, not mocked.

• Noodle, Pickle, NuggetSilly food words that somehow sound like love.
• Tater tot, Meatball, PotatoPerfect for a man who’s soft, round-edged and very loyal to snacks.
• Goofball, Dork, WeirdoOnly for the guy who wears his weirdness proudly. Say it with a smile.
• Captain, Chief, BossFun when he’s taking charge of something tiny, like the grill or the TV remote.
• Trouble, Mischief, RascalFor the one who always has a plan and a grin.
• Mr. Hangry, Sir Snores-a-Lot, Lord of the RemoteMade-up titles are great because they come from real life. Feel free to invent your own.
• Snack, Hottie, Tall drink of waterHalf joke, half compliment. He’ll take both.

Nicknames based on his personality

The names that stick the longest often come from who he is. Find his type below, then make it your own.

• The gym guy: Muscles, Tank, HerculesHe’ll pretend to be embarrassed. He won’t be.
• The gamer: Player Two, Champ, Ace“Player Two” is a sweet one. It means you’re on the same team.
• The cook: Chef, Cookie, GordonFor the man who makes you a real breakfast on Sunday.
• The outdoors type: Ranger, Mountain man, ScoutFor the guy who checks the weather app for fun.
• The bookworm: Professor, Einstein, GeniusGreat for the one who knows a random fact about everything.
• The fixer: Mr. Fix-It, Handyman, Tech supportFor when he finally fixes the squeaky door.
• The calm one: Rock, Anchor, My safe placeFor the man who stays steady when you’re not.
• The romantic: Romeo, Prince Charming, CasanovaFor flowers for no reason and handwritten notes.
• The tall one: Stretch, Tree, Big guyFun if he’s proud of his height, not if he’s tired of hearing about it.

Nicknames for him in other languages

A pet name in another language can feel extra special, especially if it’s from his family’s language or a trip you took together. We checked these against language-learning guides. If it’s his first language, ask him how he says it. He’ll love that you asked.

• Spanish: Mi amor, Cariño, Mi cielo, CorazónMy love, darling, my sky, heart. “Mi cielo” is a soft, everyday favorite.
• French: Mon amour, Mon cœur, Mon chéri, Mon trésorMy love, my heart, my dear, my treasure.
• French, the funny one: Mon chouIt means “my cabbage.” Yes, really. It’s a very common, very sweet French pet name.
• German: Schatz, Liebling, HaseTreasure, darling (it literally means “favorite”) and bunny.
• Italian: Amore mio, Tesoro, Cuore mioMy love, treasure and my heart.
• Irish: Mo chroí, A chuisle, Mo mhuirnínMy heart, my pulse and my darling.
• Korean: Jagiya, YeoboBoth mean something like honey or darling.
• Arabic: HabibiMeans “my love” or “my dear.” You’ll hear it in songs all the time.
• Russian: Solnyshko, KotikMy little sun and little cat. Both are very common and very cute.

How to pick a nickname that sticks

You can’t really force a nickname. The good ones usually show up on their own. But you can help one along.

1. Start with something real. A habit, a running joke, the shirt he always wears or the funny thing he said on your second date.
2. Try it in a text first. It’s lower pressure than saying it out loud, and you’ll see how he reacts.
3. Watch his face. If he smiles, keep it. If he winces, drop it with no hard feelings and try another.
4. Have a public name and a private one. “Babe” at his work party. “Snuggle bug” at home.
5. Let it change over time. Lots of couples go through five or six nicknames over the years. That’s part of the fun.

Bonus idea: give him a new name in your phone. Something like “Sunshine ☀️,” “My Person 💛” or “Trouble 😈” makes you smile every time he texts.

Nicknames to skip

A nickname should feel like a hug, not a jab. Steer clear of these.

• Anything his ex called him.If you know it, skip it. Even a sweet word can carry old baggage.
• Names about a sore spot.If he’s touchy about his height, weight or hairline, leave those alone, even as a joke.
• Names his mom uses.“Sweetie pie” might be her thing. Let her keep it.
• Baby talk in front of his boss.Keep the really cute stuff for home or your texts.
• A name he’s asked you to stop using.If he says it bugs him, believe him. There are 100 other options on this page.

Frequently asked questions

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