Search icon

What Do You Call Your Boyfriend? 17 Loving Nicknames You Can Use

Are you in the ‘what are we?’ phase of a relationship? Do you have no idea what to call the man you’re dating? Does it always feel uncomfortable whenever someone asks who he is or how you know him?

Well, don’t worry...because I’m here with a list of solutions that are vague and playful enough to never be awkward. 

But first, let me tell you that it doesn’t have to be this way…

I wasted far too much time feeling awkward and nervous in the “what are we” phase of relationships, only for it to peter out before guys would commit to me.   

Yet, that rarely happens anymore…

Because I discovered a little-known tick that triggers the male brain. 

It’s called the ‘Hero’s Instinct’. 

Almost every man holds onto this aspect of male psychology - and understanding it gives you a huge advantage in the dating game. 

Instead of being unsure whether he wants you to call him his boyfriend, he may well end up begging you to become an official couple (click to hear the story of how this happened to me)   

The best thing about The Hero’s Instinct is that it’s so easy to understand. Once you learn how it works, you’re going to kick yourself for not knowing about it sooner. 

So, go ahead and read the story about how I discovered the Hero’s Instinct. Once you do, your relationships could experience a similar transformation to mine.   

In the meantime, here is a list of nicknames you can use for the man you’re dating that are likely to fit well, whether you’re “official” or not. 

I put this topic together because I know that nicknames and other seemingly minor pieces of a relationship can be really beneficial. Keep reading to see some of the best loving nicknames you can use to address your boyfriend!

NICKNAMES FOR YOUR BOYFRIEND

 

Babe

“Babe” is a pretty common nickname to use for your boyfriend. It’s popular, but that doesn’t make it less meaningful.

In my experience, it’s still a good nickname no matter how many times you’ve heard it. Your boyfriend will probably feel the same way.

“Babe” is a good nickname to start with if the two of you just started dating. You may not be ready for a more intense or specific nickname, but “babe” is nice and simple.

Even once you’ve been together for a while or have been using the nickname for some time, there’s no reason to switch things up.

Bae

You have probably seen this nickname around on the internet or social media. It’s been popular for a few years now, but it is still a good one to use.

When it was first introduced, people thought it was a shortened version of “babe”. Others had no idea what “bae” meant. It turns out that “bae” is the acronym for “before anything else”.

Once you know the meaning of the nickname, it makes it a lot sweeter. Using this nickname is a good way to tell your boyfriend that he’s your number one.

It’s likely that your boyfriend knows what “bae” means so there is no need to explain it to him. If he doesn’t know, hopefully, he will ask you.

“Bae”, like “babe”, is a quick and simple nickname that you can use whenever. Throw it onto the end of any sentence to make it all a little bit sweeter!

Use this tool to check whether he actually is who he says he is
Whether you're married or have just started seeing someone, infidelity rates are on the rise and have increased over 40% in the last 20 years, so you have all the right to be worried.

Perhaps you want to know if he's texting other women behind your back? Or whether he has active Tinder or dating profile? Or worse yet, whether he has a criminal record or is cheating on you?

This tool will do just that and pull up any hidden social media and dating profiles, photos, criminal records, and much more to hopefully help put your doubts to rest.

Cutie

The nicknames that remind your boyfriend that you love the way he looks are good ones to use. It’s a way to compliment him without just calling him cute.

If your boyfriend is cute, you probably want to remind him. “Cutie” is an easy way to do this. You don’t have to give it much thought at all.

“Cutie” is a good nickname to use at the beginning of a relationship. It’s not too intense or romantic. You don’t have to be 100% committed and in love to be using it.

It’s great that this nickname is that your boyfriend can use it for you too if he chooses to. It’s not too feminine or masculine.

Honey

Honey

This term is pretty self-explanatory and it’s pretty simple too. It’s still a great nickname to use for your boyfriend.

Honey is sweet so it’s a good way for you to remind your boyfriend that you think he’s sweet without coming out and saying it.

Some people wait a little while to use “honey”. This nickname is one that many people have heard their parents or other people in long-term relationships use.

This doesn’t mean you can’t call your boyfriend “honey” if you’ve only been dating for a few months! Just do what feels comfortable for you and your boyfriend.

What’s nice about “honey” is that it doesn’t sound too feminine or too masculine like some nicknames do. It’s perfect for you guys to use for each other!

Sweetie

“Sweetie” is a lot like “honey” in its meaning. Again, it’s a cuter way to remind your boyfriend that you think he’s sweet.

Throwing in nicknames like these is easy to do and can be a good way to add a bit of flirting to any conversation. You don’t have to be flirting in order to use this nickname. It fits in nicely anywhere.

Your boyfriend doesn’t necessarily have to do anything sweet to encourage you to use this one. You can just say it whenever you feel like letting him know how you feel about him!

“Sweetie” is a good nickname to use if you’re attempting to reassure your boyfriend or if he needs to be comforted.

Baby Daddy

Now, this one will only work in certain situations. You might call your boyfriend “baby daddy” if you’re pregnant with his baby or if you already have kids with him. It essentially means that he’s the daddy of your babies.

Imagine the look on your boyfriend’s face if you didn’t already have kids together and you called him this! This should be avoided at all costs to make sure you aren’t scaring your boyfriend.

This term shows your boyfriend that you love him and that you enjoy raising your kids with him. It shows him that you love the little family that you have created together!

In some cases, you might be able to call your boyfriend this but only after you’ve talked about kids and decided you want them someday. Make sure he knows that you’re referring to the future and not the present (like you’re announcing your pregnancy).

It can be sweet for couples to daydream about their future together and think about having kids. If you think your boyfriend would take the nickname of “baby daddy” well, it’s worth a try!

Be sure to only use baby daddy where it’s appropriate. Once the time is right, boyfriends and husbands usually don’t mind being called this. Just be aware of why it could scare them.Some girls even call their boyfriend this as a way to announce their pregnancy.

My Love

Love

“My love” isn’t used as often as some of the other nicknames that made this list. It’s a more mature nickname, in a way.

In most cases, people only use “my love” once they actually love someone. It takes a bit longer to be comfortable using this one.

Like most of these nicknames, it’s a simple way to remind your boyfriend that you care or that you love him.

“My love” is especially sweet when you are flirting with your boyfriend.

It might take him by surprise the first time you use it. Not everyone calls their significant other “my love”. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it though!

It’s likely that your boyfriend will use it for you after you begin using it too. It’s a good one for both of you to call each other.

Just be aware that your boyfriend may not be prepared for this nickname and that you should only call him it if you love him. It’s pretty romantic and doesn’t always feel right at the beginning of a relationship.

Lovey

“Lovey” is a more relaxed, cuter version of “my love”. It seems more casual and playful.

It essentially means that they are the person that you love. It’s as simple as that!

This is another nickname that you might not decide to use right off the bat. When you first get into a relationship, you don’t usually love them. As things progress, love grows.

As a relationship becomes more serious, you will likely feel like you love your boyfriend. Once you notice those love feelings, it’s a good time to begin calling him “lovey” or other nicknames like it.

If you wanted to, you could try using this nickname in a flirty way. It’s just more appropriate later on in a relationship.

Hot Stuff

Hot Stuff

Many guys love being complimented on their looks. “Hot stuff” is a nickname that sounds nice to guys and reminds them that you think they’re attractive.

By reminding your guy that he’s attractive to you, you are keeping the relationship alive. Plus, you might get some compliments in return.

Over time, in relationships, people stop caring as much as they used to. They don’t always compliment each other or notice each other’s needs.

When you compliment your boyfriend’s appearance, you’re keeping the spark alive and making sure he knows he’s valuable.

Of course, you can compliment your boyfriend any time you want to and in any way. For example, you probably just call him “hot” sometimes. Using “hot stuff” is an easy way to add a compliment into any regular conversation. It flows right into a normal sentence.

Reminding your boyfriend that you’re attracted to him can go a long way. Don’t forget to compliment him often with nicknames and other sweet words!

Beautiful

Often, girls will avoid calling their boyfriend things like “beautiful”. The same goes for “gorgeous” and “pretty”.

Commonly, “beautiful” is an adjective used to describe a female. This isn’t the way that it has to be though. There’s no reason that males cannot be beautiful as well, is there?

This one might take some getting used to. Your boyfriend may not like it because it’s usually used to compliment women.

If he is okay with you calling him “beautiful”, you’ve got another way to remind him how good looking he is.

Another option is to use “beautiful” to compliment your boyfriend’s heart and mind. You could say something like “You have such a beautiful and loving heart!”

Think about how it makes you feel when your boyfriend calls you beautiful. He will likely take the compliment in a similar way.

Sugar

Sugar

“Sugar” is kind of like “sweetie” or “honey”. The meaning of these nicknames is that your boyfriend is sweet.

In most relationships, these types of nicknames are great ones to use. They remind your boyfriend that you think he’s sweet!

When he notices the meaning of these nicknames, he will likely realize that you picked up on his attempts to be sweet. This should then encourage him to keep making an effort to be cute and flirty with you.

It’s always good to show your boyfriend that you appreciate the effort that he puts in. Sometimes this can go unnoticed so little reminders can go a long way.

Hubby

You have probably heard girls call their husbands “hubby”. More and more girls are using this term for their boyfriends too.

To me, this term should be reserved for more serious relationships where marriage seems inevitable.

The way that you want to use the nickname “hubby” is totally fine!

​You might want to run this one by your boyfriend first. It can be a little bit scary for guys if you haven’t talked about marriage yet or if you two aren’t very serious.

This nickname is especially appropriate if you are engaged or are considering getting married. It doesn’t work for all guys, but some like it!

Snuggy

“Snuggy” is a less common nickname, but it’s still an excellent choice!

When you think of the nickname “snuggy”, you probably think of cuddling and getting cozy with your boyfriend. This is exactly what the name means.

You might call him “snuggy” if he’s a good cuddle buddy. It’s also a good nickname to use when you’re flirting with him and asking him to snuggle up with you.

Obviously, you can use this nickname whenever you want to. It makes the most sense if you’re cold or in the mood to cuddle with your boyfriend!

He could also call you “snuggy” when he wants to snuggle with you.

It’s a great nickname to describe how cuddling with him makes you feel warm and loved.

Boo

“Boo” is one of those nicknames that just goes around but doesn’t have a clear meaning.

From my experience, it seems like people call their partners “boo” as a cute nickname. It works like “babe” or “bae” does.

“Boo” is short and sweet, which makes it easy to catch on to. You might call your boyfriend “boo” out of the blue.

Even though the meaning might be unclear, the word “boo” just sounds cute. It has a sweet sound to it! This is why it’s such a good one to use for your boyfriend.

In short, “boo” can mean that someone is your love or your baby.

Since this is so common and seems pretty laid back, you can use it at any point in a relationship.

Angel

Angel

Angels are meant to be perfect, which is the exact definition of this nickname. Girls often call their boyfriend “angel” to remind him that he’s perfect. This could also mean that he doesn’t do anything wrong or that he’s only good.

Though it’s impossible for your boyfriend to be truly flawless, this is still a sweet nickname to use. It tells him that you think he’s perfect!

Like most of these nicknames, you can use this one a couple of different ways. You might say something like “thanks for being so helpful, angel”. You could also straight up call him an angel, like “you’re such an angel!” Either one of these works and has essentially the same meaning.

Some guys do like to consider themselves “bad”. In this case, they might not appreciate the nickname “angel”. If you think your boyfriend might respond poorly to this nickname, it never hurts to ask him about it first.

If he’s weird about it, there are plenty of less innocent nicknames out there.

One and Only

If you want to call your boyfriend “one and only”, you should wait until you’ve been dating for a while. It shows a sense of commitment and meaning.

If you use “one and only” too soon, your boyfriend might be turned off. It makes it sound like he’s the only person you’re going to be with. This helps us to understand why your boyfriend might feel trapped or like he has to be committed.

Not all guys are ready for this much commitment, especially early on in the relationship. You don’t have to wait too long, but you should wait until the two of you seem to be pretty stable in your relationship.

Good Looking

There are lots of nicknames that focus on your guy’s appearance. We’ve listed some specific ones, but this one is more general.

“Good looking” basically means that your boyfriend looks good. It doesn’t go into detail like calling him cute or hot would.

“Good looking” is an easy one to tack onto the end of a sentence. You might even say something as simple as “hey there, good looking!” It definitely doesn’t need to be complex.

This is one of those nicknames that is good to use at the beginning of a relationship or when you’ve been together for a while.

Since it’s general, you don’t have to know a lot about your crush or your boyfriend when you first start using it. It’s not specifically about his eyes or his personality. It just means that you think he’s attractive.​

FAQs

What names can you call your boyfriend?

Finding a name for your boyfriend takes some time and a lot of experimentation. Some names are given based on personality, profession, physical appearance, or their actual names. Some examples of nicknames for boyfriends include Tater Tot for a short or stocky boy, Sunshine for someone who's a bundle of energy, Bae, which is pretty self-explanatory, and Sweet Pea.

What are cute nicknames for couples?

Some couples love pairing names. From Bonnie and Clyde to Romeo and Juliet, the possibilities of names for couples are endless and will depend on the couple in question, and the circumstances surrounding their relationship.

What do you call your crush?

If you think you have no right to give your crush a cute name, think again! You're allowed to give your crush a sweet, sexy name at your discretion. It's your crush, after all. Names such as baby, future love, or a twist of their actual name can be very comforting and fun to play around with without them knowing.

Is it weird to call your boyfriend, baby?

Baby isn't a strange name in relationships; it's very common and can be used by everyone. The most common names used in relationships by people include hun, baby, boo, etc.

How can you make your bf happy?

Compliment your man and show him how much you adore him. Listen to him and be honest with him at all times. Also, don't forget to give him the space he desires, and show him that no matter what, you trust him with all your being. Support is another way to keep your man happy and give him attention when he desires.

Conclusion

Did you enjoy this list? If so, please share it with a friend or leave us a comment down below!

It’s important to know why nicknames are useful in a relationship. Aside from that, you should know which ones to use. That’s why I wanted to write this article for you.

There are lots of nicknames out there that you can use to compliment your boyfriend. These nicknames can actually add a lot to the dynamics of the relationship. They are definitely worth a try if you and your boyfriend don’t use them yet.

Utilize this tool to verify if he's truly who he claims to be
Whether you're married or just started dating someone, infidelity rates have risen by over 40% in the past 20 years, so your concerns are justified.

Do you want to find out if he's texting other women behind your back? Or if he has an active Tinder or dating profile? Or even worse, if he has a criminal record or is cheating on you?

This tool can help by uncovering hidden social media and dating profiles, photos, criminal records, and much more, potentially putting your doubts to rest.

Subscribe

Join Our Newsletter

Receive weekly tips & tricks to improve your love life.
Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.