What’s in a (Nick)Name?
I have found yet another area in which I am a defective female: I don’t give my boyfriends (and future spouses) nicknames. Actually, I take that back- there was one vile moment in my life when one of the Chrises (not the current) and I called each other “Petri.” Yes, as in the movie, The Land Before Time. Feel free to puke a little bit in your mouth right now (I just did). Here’s how some of our “conversations” used to go:
Me: Bawidaba, Petri.
One of the Chrises: Nikki, nikki now, Petri.
Not sure about the Kid Rock reference or what “nikki nikki now” meant. All I know is that my good friend Katie loathed being around the two of us because she couldn’t handle the cheese factor.
So besides that one incident, I have never given a boyfriend a nickname. In fact, I cringe at the thought in the same way that normal women shudder at the words “barren ovaries.” My friends find my aversion to nicknames strange, as I am surrounded by bright, intelligent creatures who nickname their boyfriends and spouses things like “Snugglebug”, “Owenbear”, and “Sneezebottom.” Yes, you read that last one correctly. If these women (all successful and not in the least bit annoying) can get away with it, why can’t I?
To be honest, I’m not sure why Chris and I haven’t adopted cutesy monikers for each other. Maybe it’s because we’re too busy naming everything else, like our car. If you have any good suggestions, I am definitely open. I think.
Tags: choosing a name, day 55 san francisco, wedding road trip san francisco
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Thank you for being one less couple calling each other bar-o-matic names. One more Christmas of my sister and her husband, way over 40, calling each Bunny and Coo-Coo (in baby voices) and I may snap! Combined with the fact that they are covered in tattoos and are otherwise rough around the edges, it makes it all very hard to swallow.
Just stick to picking the new last name instead! (can’t wait to hear it)
meant barf-o-matic
Isn’t that why someone created those “I’m With Stupid” T-shirts? It’s the nickname that fits all sizes.
What’s wrong with not having nicknames for each other at all?
I have a few sets of friends who constantly call their significant others babe, and vice versa. I don’t care if they do it in private, but enough in front of me!
Um why don’t you just do the other option, which is giving each other’s “special places” special nicknames. Thereby sparing friends and the public while acquiring something special and hopefully secret between you two. And on another note, if you do have kids there will be plenty of sickennenly cute nicknames to go around.
Everything Kindra said minus some of the personal bits. I am not a fan of pet names either.
Never be afraid to show the world how happy you are. It is the greatest gift you could ever give. Be joyful. Share your joy.
For me, nicknames are an expression of love and joy. Nicknames are not intentionally created (People don’t brainstorm to come up with the “perfect” nickname), they just happen naturally.
From someone who has nicknames for her closest friends, family members, and even her “Owenbear”, I think all of you are a just a little too uptight. Relax.
Wait, I’ve got it. After further review…just call each other Nick.
I have to admit, I do the nickname thing, and I use it with abandon, absolutely everywhere. On the beach, at karaoke, in the living room with a large group of people–you never know when you might hear “Babydoll, can you…?” And what makes this work is that he’ll generally answer, “Sure love, I can…”
I think of it like in Jerry Maguire. Cuba Gooding Jr’s character was so effusive with his love for his wife, and that’s what I want. Unrestrained endearment–not inappropriate, but uncensored to some extent.
Of course that’s just me. I think as long as two people have the same “public love” style, either way works just fine =)