When I read a book, sometimes it's cute when nicknames fit naturally, but sometimes it feels forced and cringy. I'm writing a YA romance and I didn't give the MCs any nicknames for each other, they would just call each other by name or "baby/babe."

Now I'm starting to rethink that. I kinda want to give my FMC "Snowflake" as the nickname that the MMC uses, but I feel like it's overused. It would fit her because her last name is "Winters" (which also might be an overused name but idc), but also their first kiss happened when it was snowing.

For my MMC I was thinking about "Bamboo" (lol) because in the earlier chapters FMC tried to insult him by calling him a bamboo because he's tall.

So, is "Snowflake" cringy and overused and "Bamboo" a bit dumb or should I not overthink this?

  • I mean, if it's set in our current world, I'd be more concerned about "snowflake" sounding like an insult? I dunno if I've really seen it used as a cute nickname before, so I can't comment on if it's overused

    parent

    Hm, that might be true, it does sound like that a little. But it's meant to be cute. I just don't know if I'll make readers cringe if I decide to use any nicknames

    parent root

    I agree that snowflake is more often used for an insult đŸ«€

    In general, what I find cringey for nicknames is when the characters use them CONSTANTLY. I read a book where the characters called each other really stupid nicknames on practically every page and it was really grating.

    parent root

    If it's a romance no one will care.

     "I just don't know if I'll make readers cringe"

    You can make an argument that a lot of things in romance stories and "cringe". The readers will suspend their belief if the story is engaging them.

    parent root

  • Ali Hazelwood’s Deep End the MMC’s nickname for the FMC is “Troll.” Everyone raves about the book. If she can use Troll as a nickname, you can use Bamboo or Snowflake- or any name you want!

    parent

  • I might use Snow instead of Snowflake

    parent

  • just let the discomfort live, honestly
 or maybe bambi

    parent

  • I use nicknames in my books. The two that I generally don't use are babe/baby. One of my editors a while back pointed out that baby/babe is very generic. Something you'd use in a hookup so you don't have to bother remembering their name. I've never been able to look at it the same since. I write paranormal and fantasy so I usually go with something sensory. Like honeygirl, peaches, or pepper.

    parent

    I write paranormal/urban fantasy but I'm the exact opposite way lol. Babe and baby are so cute to me. The most adventurous I'll get is "doll" or "angel."

    parent root

  • How about “snow princess?” Less of a social insult leaning and gives some more variance to not constantly repeat it (can say snow or princess from time to time depending on context to switch it up).

    I think they can be a little forced if too out there AND overused. Make it make sense for your characters’ personalities AND don’t use it every time he addresses her but where it will either count and make readers smile.

    parent

    Oh I like this. But it sounds a little long. I'll think about what I'll do and yeah I will definitely not use it constantly because it makes me cringe too. Thanks!

    parent root

  • It's only cringe when it's overused

    parent

  • I like nicknames that make sense for the characters. I also think it helps the author use names less which is a common mistake in underdeveloped works. Authors may use dialogue that constantly refers to the subject by name, even as no one speaks like that irl. I find books that use nicknames don’t do this as often.

    parent

  • If you have to think too hard or force the nickname, then it’s not a good nickname imo. I find most nicknames used in novels to be cringy unless they’re worked in in a way that feels natural. I’m probably in the minority here, but I think ‘babe’/‘baby’ are less cringeworthy than ‘sweetheart’, ‘little [insert adjective]’ etc. I really love nicknames that are related to the character’s name somehow (a bastardization of it, shortened form of it, first name + middle name, etc).

    parent

    Oh I hate "little [something]" too, and feel neutral about baby/babe but when it's overused it's a little cringe. I don't want the characters to call each other by name only so maybe I'll use nicknames. But definitely not constantly heh. Thanks for your pov

    parent root

  • I think it depends on the characters.

    I have a couple who call each other generic nicknames (Schatz, translates to treasure, is German and a bit like Honey), because they simply never thought a normal relationship was going to work for them and this normalcy ist what they crave. She's also refered to by a nickname by everyone and he starts to use her full name.

    Another character is quite a sarcastic, opinionated Pessimist and her love interest calls her "Sonnenschein" (Sunshine). It's endearing because he sees her good qualities.

    parent

  • You should hear the cringy things my daughter and her husband call each other IRL, haha! People, especially young people, do it all the time. I agree with the sentiment to use it sparingly, however, so it doesn’t get too annoying.

    parent

  • I personally love nicknames, but they have to actually feel authentic to their personalities.

    My love interest is a total romantic and a sap, so he calls the mc "love" or "sweetheart."

    But my mc is a jaded loser, so the most he gets is "babe."

    parent