Welcome back, due to recent events The Poly Guys will be (for the foreseeable future) releasing new material every two weeks. Don’t worry though that just means we will have more time to craft our stories for you to enjoy.
Let’s begin… The first thing that comes to mind when I think of nicknames is the movie rendition of Tango: Maureen, from Rent. A lyric from that song, “has she ever pouted her lips and called you pookie,” rings in my ear. What is the significance of a nickname? How does it happen? Does a recycled nickname diminish its value? These are only a few questions that come to mind with this topic.
At some point in time, we’ve all had some sort of nickname bestowed upon us. Whether these names were given to by family members, friends, or lovers; they exist as a form of endearment. Some of these names, such as “babe” or “love,” can be quite common in an intimate circle of friends. It can also signify our affection toward a person as well. Articles have pointed out that relationships can benefit from pet names for their significant other. Nicknames can be important because it is almost like an inside joke with someone.
Nicknames can be forged out of a person’s name, related to a shared experience, or something else entirely. My own experience with nicknames has been interesting. The most used nicknames for myself have either been a shortened version of my first name. And yes, I’ve been subjected to names such as: babe, love, cutie, baby, and many others. In most cases their purpose was positively correlated to the relationship dynamic between a person and I.
To be honest, nicknames have never been my strong suit. Though like my co-writer wrote, a shared experience has streamlined the process. The most recent nickname I gave was Baby Cub, due to receiving Mama Bear by my co-conspirator. Names stemmed from night like no other. The grand soiree leading up to the Folsom Street Fair weekend: Aftershock. It was a circuit party, which is LGBT related dance party leading into or following the main event. A group of us gathered to celebrate and dance the night away. After some time, my instincts kicked in and I made my rounds to make sure everyone was doing well, if they needed anything. I saw the name fitting my personality and willingly accepted it.
Using common nicknames doesn’t detract from their meaning. The common names, such as: baby, babe, love, sweetie, handsome, and many more, are too broad to make such claims of overuse or being disingenuous. These are cute nicknames that are often used in various stages of a relationship. Such nicknames have an attached meaning. Just like I wouldn’t say I love you to every person, I use nicknames for those who matter most.
At the end of the day, we all use nicknames in our own ways for various reasons. Let us know what nicknames work for you. And as always, stay safe, stay healthy, and as always, like, share, and subscribe to our blog for new insights into happiness, heartbreak, and everything else that comes with our exploration of polyamory.
-Your Friendly Poly Guy 2
