A new study from Preply explores how romantic partners across the United States use affectionate nicknames, revealing that overall culture and regional trends affect couple-speak. Researchers surveyed couples in every state to determine how often they use pet names, which ones they prefer, and whether they save those nicknames as their partner’s phone contacts. Based on a point system from 0 to 100, the study ranks states by nickname usage frequency.
The top states for nicknames are:
1. New York – has the highest overall score and a wide variety of names
2. Virginia – residents famously embrace affectionate contact information in their phones
3. Nevada – consistently high nickname usage in relationships
States with the lowest usage are:
• Minnesota, Colorado, and Massachusetts, which show more conservative affectionate language habits. Many residents in these states rarely use pet names.
Across the country, traditional nicknames like love, babe, and honey are the most popular. Almost a quarter of Americans feel that using a partner’s real name instead of a pet name can signal tension or a problem in the relationship. A strong majority of people think that pet names can strengthen a bond.
Preply findings showed that some states favor some unique nicknames:
• Alabama: dumpling
• New York: cupcake
• New Mexico: sugar
• Nevada and West Virginia: honeybun
In a further step that’s pretty funny, the team also offered a table full of award-worthy, unique nicknames the survey unveiled:
• Pooky and Pewshy – Florida
• Bear and Oceangirl – Arizona
• Smoothie and Fluffy – South Dakota
• Mr. Man and Sugar buns – North Carolina
• Eyeball and Tipsy – Ohio
• Mommy and Animal – Alabama
The article combined data-driven analysis with charming examples of how colorful and personal pet names can be in relationships across America.
