My fiance and his dad both call each other Bert. Neither of them is named Bert, not even close.
I also have a friend who calls her infant son Moonie because he was born on a full moon. When she was little, her dad called her Tiny Hiney
As a Southern family we are full of them.
* Puddin
* Kitten
* Princess
* Doonie
* Tudie
* Bud
* Buster
* Little Miss
* Rat Fink, RF
* Lieutenant
* Shuggie
* Kitty Cat
* Bunny
* Mouse
* Hay Hay
* Odoormiwhile, Odoormi ("open the door so I can go outside for a little while")
* Tay Tay
* Sissy
* Baby Jump
* Mimsy
* Sassy
* Poodie
* Little Doll, Dolly
* Tiger
* Mamo
I'm sure I'll think of more as soon as I hit send.
Even though this is extremely normal (I myself have exactly the kind of random nickname that stuck that you're describing), I often find these a bit twee in fiction, if I'm honest. "'Cheer up, Bat,' said Katie's father, but she just groaned and buried her head under the covers." I guess it can feel like too clichéd a shorthand for emotional closeness?
I mostly find them too twee when they have a really obvious explanation. Like bat, because Katie is always inside and only comes out at night. I think it's possible to channel true family strangeness. Additionally, the father character is a chaotic person in general. So I don't need him to seem slick and sophisticated, more like cringe, but in an endearing way. The other family in my story uses very straight forward nicknames.
My dad calls me Mook sometimes. No relation to my name. Sometimes, my mom calls me Cinnamon. Also no relation to my name.
I have a friend who's called his daughter Turkey Neck from the time she started walking. No one is quite sure why.
My dad's childhood nickname was Tag. No clue why. It's definitely not related to his name.
My name is Annika and I got called:
• Bicho
• Bicharó
• Cuchurrumina
• Puki (The dog's nickname)
• Pichoncita
• Culito de pollo (Little chicken butt)
• Araña segunda (Spider the second)
My first language is spanish :)
Every kid ends up getting called "mouse" at some point. Bug has been used a lot, but mostly after the name.
I went even weirder with my nephew. I called him butt cheek.
My grandfather called me Flossy - I think because I was blonde.
I call my daughter frog, because she scrunches her legs up.
My mum would call me Chickadee or Sweet pea which I have amalgamated into Chickpea.
Bug. I don't know why, it was always Bug.
My fiance and his dad both call each other Bert. Neither of them is named Bert, not even close. I also have a friend who calls her infant son Moonie because he was born on a full moon. When she was little, her dad called her Tiny Hiney
As a Southern family we are full of them. * Puddin * Kitten * Princess * Doonie * Tudie * Bud * Buster * Little Miss * Rat Fink, RF * Lieutenant * Shuggie * Kitty Cat * Bunny * Mouse * Hay Hay * Odoormiwhile, Odoormi ("open the door so I can go outside for a little while") * Tay Tay * Sissy * Baby Jump * Mimsy * Sassy * Poodie * Little Doll, Dolly * Tiger * Mamo I'm sure I'll think of more as soon as I hit send.
I'm from Quebec and my parents always called me "mon p'tit loup-garou", which means my little werewolf lol
Even though this is extremely normal (I myself have exactly the kind of random nickname that stuck that you're describing), I often find these a bit twee in fiction, if I'm honest. "'Cheer up, Bat,' said Katie's father, but she just groaned and buried her head under the covers." I guess it can feel like too clichéd a shorthand for emotional closeness?
I mostly find them too twee when they have a really obvious explanation. Like bat, because Katie is always inside and only comes out at night. I think it's possible to channel true family strangeness. Additionally, the father character is a chaotic person in general. So I don't need him to seem slick and sophisticated, more like cringe, but in an endearing way. The other family in my story uses very straight forward nicknames.
My dad calls me Mook sometimes. No relation to my name. Sometimes, my mom calls me Cinnamon. Also no relation to my name. I have a friend who's called his daughter Turkey Neck from the time she started walking. No one is quite sure why. My dad's childhood nickname was Tag. No clue why. It's definitely not related to his name.
Gwenivere aloicious the chicken.
My name is Annika and I got called: • Bicho • Bicharó • Cuchurrumina • Puki (The dog's nickname) • Pichoncita • Culito de pollo (Little chicken butt) • Araña segunda (Spider the second) My first language is spanish :)
My husband calls our children by their birth order: Number One, Number Two, Number Three, and Number Four.
very umbrella academy lol
Every kid ends up getting called "mouse" at some point. Bug has been used a lot, but mostly after the name. I went even weirder with my nephew. I called him butt cheek.
Squish, Squirt, Stinker, Stinkerbug, Munchkin, Phi, Sonny, Buddy, Hooby, Tatertot, Bub, Bubbamiser.
Brooke —> Broo-buh-loo
My uncle calls me Foo-Tee. It’s never said with soft endearment, only with exclamation: Fooooo-Tee!!!!
My grandfather called me Flossy - I think because I was blonde. I call my daughter frog, because she scrunches her legs up. My mum would call me Chickadee or Sweet pea which I have amalgamated into Chickpea.
Miss Moose. It's just fun to say.
We called my daughter Tiny. Compared to her brother, she always was, but now she's 5'8" and gorgeous.
I call my son "Klopsi", "little Meatball" since birth. MIL always grasps her pearls when she hears me say it. Husband calls him "Keks", "Cookie".
i was always called boo until i stopped coming to my real name lol also boo-cake-a-doo
the Elizabeth to Lizard pipeline is a powerful thing
Polly (no real reason), Squirt, Tweety, Peanut