While some name-calling is mean and can be used by bullies to obtain the unfulfilling satisfaction of tearing others down, most of it done by our family and friends is done out of love. These loving nicknames have always been around, and are a sign of appreciation or closeness with another. They help develop unbreakable bonds, and can make a person feel special knowing that they have a name only they are known by. It's interesting to see how these names have developed over time in different cultures, and it is even more amazing to respect and show appreciation for them. Here is a list of some interesting ones found:
1) Spanish
Esé - homeboy
Pollito - means "small chicken," but is basically calling a person cute or adorable
Vato - dude, man, guy
Primo - "cousin," but can be used to call a close friend "family"
Jefe - "boss"
Chulo/a - cutie
Mi amado - my beloved
2) French
Mon chéri - honey
Belle Gueule - good-looking guy
Mon Frère - "my brother," can be used for a very close friend
Frérot - bro
Ma Poule - my sweetheart
Mon Enclume - "anvil," used for someone who means a lot to you
Sucre d'Or - a sweet girl
Papouille - a girl you like to cuddle
Mon Chou - honey
3) Gaelic (Irish)
Mo chuisle (muh KHUSH-leh) - my pulse
Mo chroí (muh KHREE) - my heart
A chara (uh KHAR-uh) - friend
A stór (uh STORE) - my treasure
A leanbh (uh LAN-uv) - my child
Is ceoul mo chroí thú (Is cyoal mu khree who) - You're the music of my heart
4) German
Putzig - cute
Röschen - rose
Sonnenblümchen - sunflower
Honigbeine - intended for a sweet girl, means "Honeybee"
Hase - Bunny
Mausbär - mousebear
Honigkuchenpferd - Honey Cupcake horse
Schnecke - Snail (loving nickname in Germany)
Perle - Pearl
Cariad - sweetheart
5) Dutch
Schat - sweetie
Snoepje - candy
Lieve/liefje - dear
Dropje - Licorice drop
Lekker din - delicious thing
6) Favorites
Tibetan
Nyingdu-la - most honored poison of my heart
Dutch
Mijn poepie - my little poopsie
Portuguese
Paixão - passion
Persian
Moosh bokhoradet - means "may a mouse eat you," you are even tinier and cuter than mouse
Italian
Microbino mio - "my little microbe," again with the tiny nicknames
Chinese
沉鱼落雁 (chényú luòyàn) - means "diving fish, swooping geese"
There is a little backstory for this name. Xi Shi, labeled the most beautiful woman in Chinese history, looked at fish in a pool and they forgot to swim. Wang Zhaojun, another beautiful woman, made geese forget to flap their wings when they saw her. This nickname is calling the receiver a combination of the two beauties.
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