In the charming tapestry of Southern culture, endearing nicknames have always played a big role in expressing affection and closeness within family and friends.
Heck, you go to the grocery store in the South and you may even hear the cashier call you “sugar” or “babe.”
Here, we’ll look at Southern nicknames for everyone in your close circle. From beloved partners to cherished family members, these endearing Southern nicknames reflect the warmth and love deeply woven into the fabric of Southern heritage.
For Your Significant Other
Nothing shows your love more than a pet name, and why not a Southern pet name? The South is home to lots of pet names you won’t find anywhere else, and by picking one of these Southern pet names you can show your SO how much they mean to you.
Boyfriend
- Beau
- Cowboy
- Gentleman
- Blue Eyes
- Maverick
- Captain
- Ranger
- Ace
- Maverick
- Chief
- Scout
- Rodeo
- Wrangler
- Tex
- Sundance
- Bandit
- Blaze
- Ranger
- Rocky
- Hunter
- Outlaw
- Captain
Girlfriend
- Sugar
- Darlin’
- Sweetheart
- Belle
- Dixie
- Honey
- Peach
- Magnolia
- Sweets
- Buttercup
- Biscuit
- Sunshine
- Daisy
- Angel
- Poppet
- Shug (say it like the first part of “Sugar”)
- Jewel
- Daisy Mae
- Cupcake
- Bama
- Tater
- Bae
- Huckleberry
- Rebel
- Moonshine
For Your Aunt
Aunts play a special role in the Southern family, and many Southerners have fond memories of their Aunts making cookies, taking them to the mall to sit on Santa’s lap as a kid, or giving them advice when they really need it. Mine still wants to be called Aunt!
- Sissy
- Bess
- Lulu
- Bea
- Dottie
- Dolly
- Millie
- Nell
- Patsy
- Winnie
For Your Grandparents
I’ve still got a lot of fond memories of myPaw Paw sitting in his chair, spitting tobacco and telling stories. He couldn’t hear that well, and my Maw Maw couldn’t see well, but according to her, that means “between the two of us we’ll make it.”
Grandfather
- Pawpaw
- Pappy
- Gramps
- Grandaddy
- Pop
- Papa
- Grandpa
- Grampy
- Poppy
- Papaw
Grandmother
- Nana
- Mimi
- Mamaw
- Gigi
- Granny
- Meemaw
- Gran-Gran
- Maw Maw
- Glamma
- Tee Tee
For a Boy
Here are Southern nicknames you can use for any boy in your family.
- Bubba
- Huck
- Colt
- Jeb
- Beau
- Hank
- Zeke
- Tuck
- Jase
- Bo
- Merle
- Buck
- Gus
- Enos
- Wyatt
- Ike
- Clint
- Wade
- Holt
- Cal
- Rett
- Luke
- Jed
- Vance
- Remy
For a Girl
For the girls in your family, try on one of these endearing nicknames.
- Sugar
- Darlin’
- Peach
- Sweetie
- Honeybee
- Magnolia
- Buttercup
- Rosebud
- Magnolia
- Blossom
- Sugarcane
- Sunshine
- Azalea
- Daffodil
- Jasmine
- Magnolia
- Sweetpea
- Daisy
- Camellia
- Lily
- Gardenia
- Wisteria
- Magnolia
- Marigold
- Poppy
