30+ Chinese Nicknames for Friends, Kids & Loved Ones

When you spend time in China or hang out with Chinese friends, you’ll quickly notice that everyone seems to have a nickname. It could be cute, funny, or even a little strange at first, especially if you’re not used to it. Nicknames are a fun way to show affection, joke around, or make someone feel special.

Let’s learn how to get a nickname with WuKong Educartion by exploring the cultural significance of Chinese nicknames, the Chinese nickname for boyfriend or girlfriend, and practical ways to create personalized nicknames so you can give your Chinese friend or loved one a cute and funny Chinese nickname of their own.

What are Chinese Nicknames?

Chinese nicknames, which translate to “昵称” (nì chēng) and are also called “绰号” (chuò hào) and “小名” (xiǎo míng), are informal names used to express affection, intimacy, or personality traits. Nicknames are often more casual, often used in daily conversations, and reflect the relationship between the users.

For example, a mother might give her child a cute Chinese nickname “小胖” (xiǎo pàng). The word literally means in Chinese language that someone is a little overweight (the exact meaning is determined by different tones of voice), but mothers give this nickname to their children because they want them to be healthy and cute. And friends may give each other funny nicknames based on shared memories or jokes they both know.

Nickname (Chinese)	Pinyin	English Meaning	Usage / Scenario	Example Sentence
阿呆	ā dāi	Silly / Dummy	Teasing friends or romantic partner	“You silly, why did you forget your keys again?”
吃货	chī huò	Foodie	Friends or partners who love eating	“Xiao Wang is such a foodie, always thinking about his next meal.”
大头	dà tóu	Big head	Friends, joking about overconfidence	“Little Li is a big head, always full of confidence.”
肉肉	ròu ròu	Chubby / Meaty	Friends or partners, affectionate teasing	“Your little chubby is really cute.”
土豆	tǔ dòu	Potato	Friends, pets, or funny nickname	“This puppy looks like a little potato.”
风行者	fēng xíng zhě	Windwalker	Friends, online gaming nickname	“He goes by Windwalker in the game—so cool!”
老板	lǎo bǎn	Boss	Social or friendly nickname, respect	“Bro, you are our boss tonight!”
帅哥	shuài gē	Handsome guy	Public situations, strangers	“Excuse me, handsome, can you help me get the menu?”
星仔	xīng zǎi	Star boy	Friends or partner, shows charisma	“He’s such a star boy, everyone likes him.”
小猪	xiǎo zhū	Little piggy	Romantic partners or friends	“Baby, you are my little piggy.”
宝宝	bǎo bǎo	Baby / Precious	Romantic partners or children	“Baby, it’s time for dinner!”
乖乖	guāi guāi	Good boy / girl	Children or close friends	“Be good, okay?”
小猫	xiǎo māo	Kitten	Friends or romantic partners	“Kitten, what do you want to do today?”
天使	tiān shǐ	Angel	Romantic partners or friends	“You are truly an angel!”
亲亲	qīn qīn	Kissy / Dear one	Romantic partners	“Kissy, I miss you!”
大笨蛋	dà bèn dàn	Big dummy	Romantic partners, playful teasing	“You big dummy, why did you forget your keys again?”
熊熊	xióng xióng	Little bear	Romantic partners, affectionate	“Little bear, give me a hug, I’m so cold!”
哥哥	gē gē	Elder brother	Romantic partners (girl to older boyfriend)	“You are my elder brother, I rely on you.”
老公	lǎo gōng	Husband	Romantic partners, casual	“Hubby, I’m back home!”
妹妹	mèi mei	Younger sister	Romantic partners (boy to girlfriend)	“Little sister, have you eaten?”
小公举	xiǎo gōng jǔ	Little princess	Romantic partners, playful	“Okay, my little princess!”
老婆	lǎo pó	Wifey	Romantic partners, casual	“Wifey, what’s for dinner tonight?”
小仙女	xiǎo xiān nǚ	Little fairy	Romantic partners, compliment	“Little fairy, you look like a storybook character!”
糯米	nuò mǐ	Sticky rice	Children, affectionate	“Sticky rice, come eat your meal!”
小不点	xiǎo bú diǎn	Little one	Children, youngest child	“Little one, sit properly!”
小宝	xiǎo bǎo	Baby	Children, affectionate	“Little baby, go wash your hands.”
虎子	hǔ zi	Tiger	Children, symbolize strength	“Tiger, you’re so brave!”
崽崽	zǎi zǎi	Baby / Little one	Children, affectionate	“Little one, mommy will hug you!”
老铁	lǎo tiě	Bro / Close friend	Friends, strong bond	“Bro, let’s have dinner together tonight!”
亲爱的	qīn ài de	Darling / Dearest	Romantic partners / spouses	“Darling, I miss you!”
宝贝	bǎo bèi	Baby / Treasure	Romantic partners / spouses	“Baby, did you have a good day?”
亲	qīn	Bae / Boo	Romantic partners	“Bae, I just got home.”
亲亲	qīn qīn	Kissy / Dear one	Romantic partners, cute	“Kissy, good night!”
老相好	lǎo xiàng hǎo	Longtime lover / Old flame	Couples, often older generation	“Old flame, have you eaten?”

Where and how are Chinese nicknames used?

Chinese nicknames are commonly used in a variety of social situations, and their meaning and tone may vary depending on the relationship:

• Family relationships: Parents often use nicknames to express their love and concern for their children. For example, a baby may be affectionately called “宝宝” (bǎo bǎo, meaning “baby”) or “乖乖” (guāi guāi, meaning “good boy”).
• Friendship: Nicknames are used between friends to express closeness or to make fun of each other (in good faith). For example, someone named “王强” (Wáng Qiáng) may be jokingly called “强哥” (Qiáng gē, meaning “older brother”) to emphasize the feeling of closeness and respect.
• Couples: Couples are often known for romantic and sweet nicknames. Common examples include “亲爱的” (qīn ài de, meaning “darling”) or personalized names such as “小猪” (xiǎo zhū, meaning “little piggy”) to show affection and intimacy. A Chinese girl might use familial terms like 哥哥 (gēgē) to refer to her boyfriend, reflecting a deep cultural significance in building personal connections.
• Work or Social Relationships: In some cases, nicknames may appear in professional or social circles as a way to easily identify someone. For example, a boss may be nicknamed “老大” (lǎo dà, meaning “boss”) by his team members. It’s a way to show that the team has a relaxed relationship.

Not only do well-intentioned nicknames strengthen connections, but they also add a layer of fun and intimacy to relationships and are an important part of everyday Chinese people’s communication.

Cultural Significance of Chinese Nicknames

In Chinese culture, nicknames are a way of expressing closeness and affection. Chinese nicknames are more than just throwaway names; they are deeply rooted in Chinese culture and play an important role in fostering emotional connections.

They reflect the importance of interpersonal relationships in Chinese society and often have meanings that go beyond the literal translation.

• Cultural Tradition: In many Chinese families, children are given nicknames by their parents or grandparents. These names are often used within the family to symbolize love and care.
• Strengthen relationships: Using a nickname shows that you have a personal connection with someone. It creates a sense of intimacy that cannot be achieved with a formal name.
• Practical use: Nicknames are usually shorter and easier to say, making them more suitable for casual conversation.
  

  Nicknames reflect the importance of relationships and community in Chinese society, where personal relationships are highly valued.

Funny Chinese Nicknames

Many funny Chinese words make great nicknames, and some of these popular Chinese nicknames refer to your most prominent features and compare them to things that are well-known. They may exaggerate certain features for comedic effect.

While some of these popular nicknames may seem mean or harsh, it’s important to realize that, unlike in Western culture, they are well-intentioned in a cultural context. Here are some examples:

• 阿呆 (ā dāi): Translated as “silly” or “dummy”. This nickname is often used to describe someone clumsy or forgetful. It is a harmless way to tease your friends or partner.
• 吃货 (chī huò): Meaning “foodie”, this nickname is perfect for someone who likes to eat or is always thinking about their next meal.
• 大头 (dà tóu): Meaning “big head”, this nickname is a humorous way of describing someone with a slightly larger head or a “big-head” (overconfident).
• 肉肉 (ròu ròu): Meaning “chubby” or “meaty,” this nickname is often used affectionately for someone with a soft or pudgy appearance.
• 土豆 (tǔ dòu): This nickname is quirky and means “potato”. It’s a humorous nickname, usually for a pet, but can also refer to a short-looking person, like a potato in the soil.

Cool Chinese Nicknames

Using hip or trendy Chinese words to describe the people in your life is a great way to look cool and show off your Chinese. It also makes you stand out as a star Mandarin student and makes it seem like Chinese is your native language.

• 风行者 (fēng xíng zhě): “Windwalker” – a fashionable nickname for a fast, agile, and unpredictable player.
• 老板 (lǎobǎn): 老板 (lǎobǎn) means “boss”. Many Chinese will use this term to refer to their de facto boss and other people they respect. Since using someone’s full first or last name is too intimate for customer and business relationships, customers will often address the store owner as the boss. Friends also sometimes call each other “老板”, often when one friend has invited the other to dinner or has given them something when it is meant in good faith.
• 帅哥 (shuàigē): 帅哥 (shuàigē) is a positive and common Chinese nickname that means “handsome guy”. This nickname is often used when you don’t know the name of a male or when it is inappropriate to ask. For example, in restaurants, waiters are often referred to as “帅哥” instead of their names.
• 星仔 (xīng zǎi): 星仔 means “star boy”, a fashionable nickname that conveys charisma and uniqueness and is often used for people with outstanding personalities.

Cute Chinese Nicknames

Cute nicknames are meant to express love and tenderness, and they are especially common in romantic relationships and between close friends. Whether it’s a nickname for a loved one or a pet, these cute Chinese nicknames can make people smile and bring them closer together.

Here are some popular nicknames:

• 小猪 (xiǎo zhū): “Little piggy” is a playful nickname for someone who loves to eat and sleep. It is a term of endearment in many romantic relationships.
• 宝宝 (bǎo bǎo): Like “baby” in English, this Chinese nickname is full of love and tenderness. It is one of the most common Chinese nicknames and is commonly used both by parents for their children and between couples.
• 乖乖 (guāi guāi): “good boy”, often used for well-behaved, cute children or even close friends.
• 小猫 (xiǎo māo): “kitten”, a nickname for someone cute, quiet, or loves cats.
• 天使 (tiān shǐ): This word means “angel” and usually refers to someone who is kind-hearted and sweet by nature.
• 亲亲 (qīn qīn): This word is a sweet nickname that translates to “kissing” and is often used between lovers. It denotes intimacy and closeness.

Chinese Nicknames for Boyfriend

Addressing your boyfriend with special nicknames can deepen your relationship and express your love. Chinese nicknames range from romantic to playful, and each one holds a unique emotion. Interestingly, the literal meanings of these nicknames often have deeper or different meanings in a romantic relationship.

• 大笨蛋 (dà bèn dàn): meaning “big dummy” (teasing but full of love). For example, you can say to your boyfriend, “你这个大笨蛋,总是忘记带钥匙!” (nǐ zhè gè dà bèn dàn, zǒng shì wàng jì dài yào shi) – “You big dummy, always forgetting your keys!”. Used in a joking and affectionate way to indicate playfulness in an intimate relationship.
• 熊熊 (xióng xióng): This nickname means “little bear”. For example, “熊熊，抱抱我吧，我好冷啊” (xióng xióng , bào bào wǒ ba , wǒ hǎo lěng a) – “Xiong Xiong, give me a hug, I’m so cold!” . This nickname applies to boyfriends who are strong, warm, and cuddly like bears.
• 哥哥 (gēgē): In many Western cultures, calling the guy you’re dating “elder brother” or “younger brother” can feel a little uncomfortable. It sounds a bit like calling your older family member. But in China, it’s normal for girls to call their boyfriends who are older than them this way. It’s a typical nickname between couples.
• 老公 (lǎo gōng): In mainland China, unmarried women sometimes refer to their boyfriends as “老公” – “husband”. Although they don’t do it right off the bat, after dating for a while and getting along with each other, you may start hearing your girlfriend call your boyfriend “husband” even before he proposes to her.

Chinese nicknames for Girlfriend

When it comes to Chinese nicknames for girlfriends, you’ll find some that are very sweet, some that are affectionate, and some that are humorous. Many Chinese nicknames for girlfriends highlight their most cherished qualities, creating a unique and intimate language for couples.

The way Chinese nicknames are variations of traditional Chinese names is also common.

• 妹妹(mèimei): Just as girls call their boyfriends “哥哥” (gēgē), Chinese boys call their girlfriends “妹妹” (mèimei) – ” younger sister”.
• 小公举 (xiǎo gōng jǔ): This nickname is the Chinese word for “little princess” with a petulant and cute tone. While there are many cute Chinese nicknames for girls, this nickname conveys a sense of preciousness. Sometimes it can be used in a silly way, like when your girlfriend asks you for a favor and you say, “好的，我的小公举!” (hǎo de , wǒ de xiǎo gōng jǔ!) – “Yes, my little princess!” .
• 老婆 (lǎo pó): It is also common for men to refer to their girlfriends as “老婆”. Like “老公”, common couples who are not yet married use this term, which has a meaning similar to the English pet name “wifey”.
• 小仙女 (xiǎo xiān nǚ): This nickname means “little fairy”. It can be used to describe your girlfriend as elegant and beautiful.
  

  For example, you can say to your girlfriend, “小仙女，你真像从童话里走出来的!” (xiǎo xiān nǚ, nǐ zhēn xiàng cóng tóng huà lǐ zǒu chū lái de!) – “Little fairy, you look like you came out of a fairy tale!”

Chinese Nicknames for Kids

A child’s nickname is called “小名” (xiǎo míng) or “乳名” (rǔ míng). All the nicknames that Chinese people give to their children contain good wishes. Nowadays, many young Chinese parents like to give their children nicknames related to fruits, snacks or drinks because they find these kinds of nicknames cute. The use of repetitive characters (called “叠词” (dié cí) in Mandarin Chinese), and nicknames beginning with “阿” (ā) or with “小” (xiǎo) are also popular in China.

• 糯米 (nuòmǐ): Chinese families sometimes call their children 糯米, which means “sticky rice”. This denotes good wishes for the child, as in traditional Chinese culture, glutinous rice is used to denote happiness, health, prosperity, and good fortune.
• 小不点 (xiǎo bú diǎn): This nickname means “little one” and is a term of endearment for the youngest member of the family, emphasizing their young age and tiny size.
• 小宝 (xiǎo bǎo): Meaning “baby”, this nickname is often used by parents to refer to their youngest child to express how precious they are.
• 虎子 (hǔ zi): This word means “tiger” and is often used by parents to refer to their sons. It represents strength, bravery, and the hope that the child will grow up healthy and fearless and strong.
• 崽崽 (zǎi zǎi): This word means “baby” and is another way of referring to a child as a baby. It is an adorable nickname that represents the deep affection parents have for their children.

Chinese Nicknames for Friends

Friends play an important role in Chinese culture, and the various nicknames in the language reflect this importance. Chinese people often refer to their friends by nicknames, each of which has a specific meaning. Some nicknames represent shared memories, while others highlight the strength and longevity of a friendship.

• 老铁 (lǎo tiě): This nickname means “bro” or “close friends”. It is a term of endearment used to refer to a close friend and to symbolize a strong and lasting friendship. This word expresses the idea that friendship is like iron, strong, reliable, and lasting.
  

  老铁 is the dialect of northeastern China, but today it is also used in other parts of mainland China.

• 阿 (ā): Combining the character 阿 with someone’s name is one way to address a friend in Chinese. For example, if your friend’s name is “李明” (Lǐ Míng), some of his friends might call him “阿明” (ā ming). It doesn’t have any special meaning, it’s just a nickname to show closeness, so family or friends often use it, especially if someone has a short name.

Chinese nicknames for your significant other

Be it your wife, girlfriend, husband, or boyfriend, many couples find giving each other fun nicknames cute and romantic. While there are gender-specific nicknames for your female or male partner, here are some gender-neutral names to call your darling that will help you express your love.

亲爱的 – Qīn’ài de

One of the most common Chinese nicknames that Chinese couples use for their significant other is 亲爱的 qīn’ài de. It is used the same way as the English term “darling” or “dearest.” You can call your loved one 亲爱的 regardless of gender, and the term is used not only by dating couples but also by married couples.

宝贝 – Bǎo bèi

The nickname 宝贝 bǎo bèi literally means “treasure” or “precious thing,” and by calling your other half 宝贝, it shows just how much they mean to you and that you value them. In terms of tone and cultural context, 宝贝 is a bit more cutesy than 亲爱的 qīn’ài de. So if you are looking for an English equivalent, “baby” or “sweetie” might be as close as you can get.

亲 – Qīn

The word 亲 qīn is the shortened version of 亲爱的 qīn’ài de. It is very popular for couples to use, especially on social media. It has a bit of a slang context to it, and the closest English equivalent would be something along the lines of someone’s “bae” or their “boo.”

亲亲 – Qīn qīn

亲亲 qīn qīn is a variation of 亲爱的 qīn’ài de and means “dear one.” However, this Chinese nickname is extra cute because 亲亲 also means “kiss” in Chinese. Younger couples more often use this nickname. However, since the context is a bit more flirtatious and bubbly, sometimes older couples will use it as a nod to their youth.

老相好 – Lǎo xiàng hǎo

The phrase 老相好 lǎo xiàng hǎo, on the other hand, is a Chinese nickname often used by the older generation. However, some young generation Chinese couples will ironically call each other 老相好. It is similar to English when some call their significant other “the old ball and chain.”

Dive Deeper into Chinese Naming Traditions

Explore our complete collection of guides to find the perfect name for any occasion. From traditional choices to modern blends, discover the rich culture behind Chinese names!

If you have children aged 3-18 who want to learn Chinese systematically and explore the cultural stories behind these names, Wukong Chinese offers professional online courses that help kids master the language while falling in love with Chinese culture.

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Conclusion

Chinese nicknames are a fascinating reflection of the creativity and cultural richness of the Chinese language. If you’ve been inspired by this guide, start experimenting today! You will find that using Chinese nicknames adds a personal touch and fun to your conversations with others.

If you are also interested in other Chinese cultures or the Chinese language, you can also join the WuKong Chinese course and learn Chinese together!

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