One aspect of relationships that you probably either find endearing or super annoying is couples having nicknames for each other. Sure, a lot of people have nicknames based on their actual first names (shout out to all the Annies, Lizzies, Bobbies, and Hanks out there). But the nicknames you give your significant other are different. These are used as ways to show affection for the other person — not trying to shorten their name. Nicknames are unique, personal, and restricted to certain people, so if you have one for your lover, you’ve entered sweetheart territory. (Congrats!)

And sometimes, no matter how embarrassing, those nicknames have a way of making your lover feel special. It’s also a great way to get out of trouble or unruffle feathers if you’ve made your boo mad. Of course, it could have the opposite effect if your current love finds out they inherited the nickname of your last love! So, if your nickname for your previous girlfriend was “Schmoopie,” you do yourself a favor and find a new one for your next relationship.

But if you’re in the market for a nickname for your girlfriend, here are a few suggestions.

The Classics

Babe

Love

Beautiful

Gorgeous

Darling

Lovey

Sweetheart

Light of My Life

My Better Half

Angel

My Queen

My Treasure

Princess

Mama

Dream Girl

Bright Eyes

Dove

My Rose

Goddess

Perfection

Beloved

Bombshell

Superwoman

Wonder Woman

Baby Face

Rosebud

My Lady

Dear

Dearest

Sweetie

Soulmate

Sunshine

Doll

Wifey

Boss

The Mrs.

My One and Only

My Girl

Foxy

Hummingbird

Food-Related Nicknames

Honey

Honey Pie

Cutie Pie

Sweet Pea

Cuddle Muffin

Honey Bunny

Pancakes

Cuddle Cakes

Cookie

Cupcake

Sweetie Pie

Sugar Lips

Pickle

Sugarplum

Yummy

Apple (of My Eye)

Baby Cakes

Pudding

Pudding Pie

Butter

Jellybean

Love Muffin

Toffee

Marshmallow

Fluffernutter

Sprinkles

Peanut

Sweet Thang

Sugar Mama

Honeybun

Juicy

Muffin

Hon’

Honey Bunch

Candy

Candy Eyes

Caramel

Gummy Bear

Peaches

Peach-O

Tootsie Roll

Lollipop

Cherry Pie

Donut

Sprinkles

Cuddle Cake

Dumpling

Sweet Butt

Sweet Cakes

Peachy Pie

Sweetkins

Sugar Smacks

Snuggle Muffin

Manna

Coco

Mochi

Pumpkin

My Little Churro

Tutti Frutti

Gingersnap

Cute Picks

Boo

Boo Boo

Snooki

Snookipuss

Cutie Patootie

Toots

Dollface

Main Squeeze

Kitty

Buttercup

Baby Girl

Bunny

Carebear

One Who Is Always Right

Bootylicious

Future Wife

Hot Lips

Kissy Face

Bunny Bee

Lovebug

Twinkles

Bun-Buns

Meow

Star

Flower

Butterfly

Juliette

Magic

Lucky Charm

Tulip

Water Lily

Snugglepuff

Heaven

Huggles

Boo Thang

Star Shine

Emerald

Poppy

Honey Bee

Duckling

Bee’s Knees

Lovebird

Baby Boo

Giggles

Double Bubble

Nibbles

Little Mouse

Miss Kisses

Lil Minnie

Heartstopper

Descriptive Options

Divine One

Ms. Hottie

Ms. Universe

Pretty Face

Freckles

Knockout

Pretty Lady

Sparky

Vixen

Speedy

Tiny

Teacup

Shortie

Dimples

Genius

Smiley

Chief

Fly Girl

Captain

Bootie

Slick

Sunshine Pants

Champ

Sunflower

Sunny

Cute Eyes

Sleeping Beauty

Starlight

Starry Eyes

Smoke Show

Nicknames From Other Languages

Habibi Albi (Arabic for “love of my heart”)

Ya Rouhi (Arabic for “you are my soul”)

Mon Mignon (French for “my cutie”)

A Rúnsearc (Irish for “my secret love”)

Luce Dei Miei Occhi (Italian for “light of my eyes”)

Solnishko (Russian for “little sunshine”)

Motek (Hebrew for “sweetheart” or “honey”)

Chemo tkbilo (Georgian for “my sweetie”)

Sikvarulo (Georgian for “my love”)

XĪNGĀN (Chinese for “heart and liver” but denotes the most beloved person in one’s life)

BǍOBÈI (Chinese for “treasure” but used as endearment as “baby” among younger couples)

Tesoro (Italian for “treasure”)

Mariposa (Spanish for “butterfly”)

Cariña (Spanish for “dear one”)

Gatinha (Brazilian Portuguese for “kitty”)

Meri Jaan (Hindi for “my love”)

Lubov (Russian for “love”)

Cara (Italian for “dear”)

Piccolina (Italian for “little one”)

Zaika (Russian for “darling,” “baby”)

Amorina (Italian for “love”)

Principessa (Italian for “princess”)

Linda (Spanish for “pretty”)

Mi Alma (Spanish for “my soul”)

Hermosa (Spanish for “beautiful”)

Jaan (Hindi for “life”)

Elskede (Danish for “beloved”)

Snoepje (Dutch for “candy”)

Mon Chou (French for “sweetie”)

Schatz (German for “sweetheart”)

Liebling (German for “darling”)

Cuore Mio (Italian for “my heart”)

Vita Mia (Italian for “my life”)

Topolina (Italian for “mouse”)

Piccola (Italian for “small”)

Agapi Mou (Greek for “my love”)

Amante (Spanish for “secret lover”)

Ashkim (Turkish for “spiritual love”)

Baba Ganoush (a Lebanese dish)

Babochka (Russian for “butterfly”)

Moya Golubushka (Russian for “my little love”)

Azucar (Spanish for “sugar”)

Bichito (Spanish for “little bug”)

Bombon (Spanish for “chocolate piece”)

Chiqui (Spanish for “Chiquito,” or “something tiny”)

Chica (Spanish for “girl”)

Bella (Italian for “beautiful”)

Mi Cielo (Spanish for “my heaven”)

Ya Amar (Arabic for “my moon”)

Tesoruccio (Italian for “little treasure trove”)

One More Note About Nicknames

Nicknames typically need to hold meaning. Sure, you can fall into the “babe” and “honey” line. And that’s fine. But the best nicknames will always have a special meaning — often that only the two of you will understand. Maybe you called her “bunny” because she wiggles her nose or likes to have sex… a lot. Maybe she is a mini Alex Trebek, so you called her JEOPARDY! It may not seem romantic on the surface, but she will appreciate you recognizing her for her brain. If she is a ginger with an Anne of Green Gables obsession? You might even get away with calling her “Carrots.”

What is she good at? What is she obsessed with? What do you enjoy doing together? Nicknames can just be cute pet names with no meaning. However, if you can find a way to personalize it, it will mean that much more to her… and you.

This article was originally published on July 6, 2020