How to Choose a Pet Name for Your Boyfriend

Want to keep up with the Schnookums, the Pumpkins, and the Honeybunches of the world? Then you, too, need to choose a pet name for your boyfriend. It may seem like a daunting task, with all of the millions of possibilities out there, but it's not as hopeless as you may think.

Instructions

1. Write down on a piece of paper as many adjectives as you can think of to describe your boyfriend. Think of words that describe his personality, his hobbies, his passions, his quirks, his physical appearance and his behaviors.

2. Add to your list pet names you have enjoyed/would enjoy being called by a boyfriend. Some of these names are universal and can be applied to guys and gals both (angel, baby, sweetheart, gorgeous).

3. Play with his name. See what different nicknames you can develop using his first name as the basis.

4. Ask your boyfriend for his input. It will be his pet name, after all. Now you don't have to actually use any of his suggestions, but hearing his ideas will give you an idea of what types of names he might prefer.

5. Try combining two or more words for a more playful approach to your pet name. A few examples are Pooky-wooky, Little lover, Darlin' dear. You don't have to rhyme it, but it's a fun option.

6. Narrow down your list of possible names by giving them a test drive. Speak the names out loud as if you were talking to your boyfriend. Eliminate any names that sound silly or feel silly to speak out loud.

7. Choose the name that fits him the best. There could be several names that just absolutely suit him, and in that instance, who says you can only have one?

8. Start calling your man by his new name. Don't worry if it takes him a bit to get used to it. Have fun with it, be sweet and adorable when you use it, and pretty soon he'll love it as much as you do.

Tips & Warnings

• There is nothing wrong with the old standbys - sugar, pumpkin, honey to name a few. If all else fails, try some of these commonly terms of endearment.

• Consider how long you and your boyfriend have been dating. The longer you've been dating, the more creative you can be when it comes to picking a name. For example, you can be a lot more deep and personal in choosing a pet name for your boyfriend of 2 years than you can for your boyfriend of 2 months.

• Some names can be pretty embarrassing in front of his guy friends and other random people. Don't let that affect your decision too much, though. If you know your man well enough, you'll be able to tell whether he can handle a little embarrassment or whether he'll crack under the pressure.

• Steer clear of pet names that refer to his male anatomy. That's a sensitive subject, no matter what the situation, and should not be brought into the arena of pet names in ANY fashion.

• Be careful when choosing a pet name that refers to his physical appearance (gorgeous, handsome, sexy), especially if your relationship is pretty young. You don't want your new boyfriend to think that his looks are the only thing you dig about him. This isn't as big a deal when you've been in the relationship for quite a while, but you should still keep it in mind.