Cute Names To Call Your Boyfriend When You Get To The Nickname Stage

It’s funny how we all judge big displays of PDA and cutesy nicknames on other people – right until we’re in a relationship and we’re doing it. Ah well, who doesn’t love a double standard? If you need cute names to call your boyfriend, read on for some sweet and adorable suggestions.

  1. Babe The classic tried and tested option when it comes to cute names to call your boyfriend. Is it cheesy? Absolutely. But does it still feel great to hear? Obviously. Calling each other “babe” shows how familiar you are with each other.
  2. Bubs This is for when you’re in a long-term relationship and you’re the most relaxed you’ve ever been as a couple. It’s not the sexiest option, but it conveys love and tenderness.
  3. Lovey This is maybe a little gooey and cringy, but it shows how fully aligned you and your partner are. Sometimes, you just need a shamelessly soft nickname to show how committed you both are.
  4. Darling I think this is the gold standard. I know that’s controversial because some people think it’s boring. But if you think that, you clearly haven’t heard it directed to you in a British accent…
  5. Honey This feels very “suburban white Dad talking to his long-suffering wife,” but I still like it. It’s known, it’s the industry-standard of greetings, and it’s very comfortable.
  6. Kid This is what the slightly older partner directs towards the Bright Young Thing that they’re dating. This is sexy, points to the power dynamics in a fun way, and it’s just so playful. This might be less on the list of cute names to call your boyfriend and more on the list of cute names for your boyfriend to call you, but it depends on who’s older.
  7. Cutie This is an underrated greeting. It does what it says on the tin: a compliment at the same time as catching your attention. Plus, it’s often a way of publicly asserting that you’re attracted to your partner, which is always nice to hear.
  8. Pumpkin This one is tricky because it is a really sweet greeting for all intents and purposes unless it’s what your Dad used to call you when you were younger. Then you get in trouble with a few charges of daddy issues. But, trust me, I see the value in it.
  9. Daddy Speaking of, let’s address the elephant in the room of sexually-charged nicknames. If you’re calling your partner “daddy” in public, that’s bold, and I see you. It’s sexy – full stop. This isn’t one of those cute names to call your boyfriend, it’s one of the hot ones.
  10. Call him by his initials It’s so cute when people call each other by their initials. It’s like an evolution of the flirting stage where you call each other by your surname, except now, you’re showing that you’re part of the same family unit.
  11. Handsome Calling your boyfriend handsome is really fun. It gives him a compliment while also boosting his ego. Plus, it’s a neat way of making sure you’re validating him. And hey, if the shoe fits, why shouldn’t he wear it?
  12. King This is one of those nicknames that’s a bit like Marmite. Some people love it, some people hate it. Yes, it might seem a little outdated, but it’s such a bold title that you can surprise your boyfriend occasionally by treating him like a king.
  13. Cookie This is for your “golden retriever boyfriend” trope in particular. For the exuberant, fun-loving, lighthearted personalities, Cookie is the perfect nickname.
  14. Dumpling Of all the cute names to call your boyfriend, this one is kinda the best. This is really adorable in that irrational ‘so cute you want to eat it’ kind of way. If you feel that way about your boyfriend, ‘dumpling’ is your go-to.
  15. Sugar Maybe this nickname feels more like something a New York receptionist would call you in the 50s, but I have a lot of time for it. It shows that you’re confident and in control of a situation.
  16. Sweets Like ‘Sugar,’ this might feel like a dated phrase to some, but I think it still holds up. You will call your boyfriend this and you’ll feel like a Mobster in the 90s – it’s ever so empowering.

More cute names to call your boyfriend

  1. Peanut This is a cute nickname. Yes, you might call your dog ‘Peanut’, but I think it’s a fun way of showing that you think your partner is really cute and funny. It’s especially funny if they’re shorter than you!
  2. Squishy This is the year of the Dad-bod renaissance, and this nickname honors that. Plus, when you get to claim a non ‘six-pack’ body, that’s always a win.
  3. Guapo This means ‘handsome’ in Spanish and is particularly applicable if you’re learning the language, or have a special connection to Spain. It spices things up a bit, don’t you think?
  4. Boss This is classic, and it conveys a fun ‘role play’ dynamic to your relationship. By joking about his superiority or dominance, you can appeal to his own fantasies.
  5. Sir Whether he’s a lord or not, this is always a laugh – and a fantasy – for guys to hear. We can, every now and then, pander to their whims. This might be one you only try out in the bedroom, of course…
  6. Bear This one is particularly cute if you have a husky or particularly hairy boyfriend because it’s visually appropriate. Maybe this is more of a name for private, or for within the four walls of your house, but hey – it’s affectionate.
  7. Love-bug It was a great Jonas Brothers’ song, and it’s an even better nickname. I feel like a movie star calling my boyfriend my ‘Love-bug’ because it’s the right amount of sweet and charismatic.
  8. Mr. Big Sometimes we all need a pop-culture moment. But, it’s not always for him – sometimes it’s because you get a kick out of invoking the presence of a character from Sex and the City. Anything for that wish fulfilment. Your boyfriend might not even get why this is one of those cute names to call a guy you like, but you’ll get it and so will all your friends.
  9. My Lobster When it comes to cute names to call your boyfriend, this is pretty close to the top of the list. This is another ’90s classic that anyone who’s watched Friends will recognize. This alludes to the famous episode where Pheobe describes Ross as Rachel’s ‘lobster’ because they mate for life.
  10. Romeo This one probably doesn’t need explaining. It’s all well and good calling your boyfriend Romeo, as long as you don’t read Act 5 and realize that Romeo dies! Romeo might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking of cute names to call your boyfriend, but it works!
  11. Prince Charming This is a classic Disney Prince moment, and we all deserve our Princess treatment. If you feel like your relationship is something out of a fairytale, this is a nickname for you to use.
  12. My Precious This one is a little cheeky because it sounds cute, but it’s actually from Lord of the Rings. But sometimes love is best expressed by a strange-looking gremlin. If you want a nerdy guy to fall in love with you, text him about LoTR!
  13. Sweet cheeks This one is a bit of fun, but by calling your partner ‘sweet cheeks’ in public, you’re probably poking fun at each other. Getting to explore each other’s funny sides is one of the best parts of a relationship.
Hannah has a Masters degree in Romantic and Victorian literature in Scotland and spends her spare time writing anything from essays to short fiction about the life and times of the frogs in her local pond! She loves musical theatre, football, anything with potatoes, and remains a firm believer that most of the problems in this world can be solved by dancing around the kitchen to ABBA. You can find her on Instagram at @_hannahvic.
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