Whether you want to go sweet, sexy or silly, these romantic nicknames for your girlfriend or wife are sure to make her swoon
124 Sweet Nicknames for Your Girlfriend or Wife That Will Make Her Love You Even More
Updated on Jul. 25, 2025
The best romantic relationships are a mixture of sugar, spice and everything nice … and maybe something a little naughty too. Similarly, the best nicknames for your girlfriend or wife should reflect those qualities, and done right, they can help securely bond you as a couple, says relationship psychologist Scott Lyons, DO, author of Addicted to Drama. These sweet terms of endearment are a great way to bring a little romance to your everyday lives—in love messages, flirty texts and daily conversations. But it’s not always easy to find the best names, and good intentions can go hilariously awry.
While this can be true when devising nicknames for boyfriends, husbands and even friends, men should take special note: There’s a time and a place for funny names—even within romantic relationships, of course—but not every time is the right time! (Think: calling her “Big Mama” at a family dinner.) Also, your significant other might not find your moniker quite as funny as you do, so check her reaction and adjust accordingly.
That said, we tend to default to the tried-and-true nicknames for girlfriends and wives that everyone uses, like honey and babe. And while those are absolutely fine, we have a whole list of creative, romantic, funny and unique ideas that will really knock her socks off … and maybe a little more. Keep reading for more than 120 sweet nicknames to choose from.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more relationships, humor, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
How do you find a nickname she’ll love?
Be kind and thoughtful in choosing a flirty nickname for your girlfriend or wife. “If your partner has a negative feeling about the nickname, it’s essential to respect their response and not try and force it,” says Dr. Lyons. “Also, it’s imperative to understand the boundaries of where and in front of whom the pet name can be expressed.” In other words, some nicknames should be reserved for private time.
In addition, Dr. Lyons recommends choosing a nickname that is:
- Authentic. It should share the way you truly feel about them.
- Special to your relationship. Try basing it on an inside joke or shared experience.
- Personal. Make it unique to your loved one rather than a generic term you use for lots of people.
- Not demeaning or rude. Nope, not even if you think it’s funny. (It’s not.)
- Not explicit. Can you say it in public without raising eyebrows?
“Gentle teasing can be OK, but nicknames should never be used to hurt or embarrass your partner,” Dr. Lyons adds. “Instead, nicknames should be used to build trust and love, making your loved one feel special and more secure in the relationship.”
Cute nicknames for your girlfriend or wife
- Sweet Stuff
- Bubbles
- Cutie-pie
- Sunshine
- Doll Face
- Blossom
- Buttercup
- Cowgirl
- Firecracker
- Princess
- Rebel
- Pixie
- My Lady
- Twinkle
- Angel
- Goldie
- Beauty
- Belle (variations: Bella, Blue Belle and Bellísima)
- Ocean Eyes
- Mrs. Right
- Bebe
Romantic nicknames for your girlfriend or wife
- Mon Cherie
- Queen
- Beloved
- My One and Only
- Precious
- Mi Corazón (“My heart” in Spanish)
- Dream Girl
- My Darling
- Dearest
- Angel
- Light of My Life
- My Joy
- Treasure
- My Love
- Cara Mia (“My Beloved” in Italian)
- Jewel
- Juliet
- Aphrodite
- My Forever
- My Missus
- Besitos (“Little kisses” in Spanish)
Funny nicknames for your girlfriend or wife
- Wifey
- My Better Half
- Boss Lady
- Dancing Queen
- Pookie-poo
- Hot Stuff
- Dolly
- Bluebell
- Lady Luck
- No. 1 Bestie
- Shortie
- Ginger Spice
- Miss Congeniality
- Fluffernutter
- Crusher
- My Weakness
- Trouble
- Super Star
- Tickle Monster
Food-inspired nicknames for your girlfriend or wife
- Peaches
- Cherry Pie
- Shortcake
- Apple Bottom
- Chicken Nugget
- Honey Butter
- My Little Truffle
- Cupcake
- Dumpling
- Snickerdoodle
- Cocoa Puff
- Sugar Cookie
- Muffin
- Peanut
- Sweet Pea
- Mint Julep
- Brown Sugar
- Sweets
- Tootsie Roll
- Fruit Loop
- Silly Sausage
Pop-culture nicknames for your girlfriend or wife
- Boo
- Wonder Woman
- Bambi
- Mystique
- Lil’ Mama
- Khaleesi
- Tinkerbell
- Rogue
- Sleeping Beauty
- Rainbow Brite
- Captain Marvel
- My Little Mermaid
- Cinderella
- Empress
- Rapunzel
- Bombshell
- Betty
- Miss America
- Tigger
- Wednesday
- Snow White
- Honey Bunny
Actual pet nicknames for your girlfriend or wife
- Ladybug
- Snuggle Bear
- Cricket
- Honeybee
- Foxy
- Wildcat
- Butterfly
- Bunny
- Bluebird
- Kitten
- Chickadee
- Chinchilla
- Birdie
- Miss Swan
- Bun-bun
- Lil’ Mouse
- Firefly
- Ladybird
- Poodle
- Care Bear
About the expert
|
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. 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 it enhances 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, relationship psychologist, author of Addicted to Drama and host of The Gently Used Human podcast
