200 cute nicknames for boys, from Chotu to Cheeku

How the pet name works in an Indian family

The ghar ka naam is a genuine institution: chosen faster than the official name, used by everyone at home for life, and frequently the only name a grandmother ever uses. Many Indian adults are still Bunty at home and Vikram everywhere else.

Three rules make one that lasts. It should be easy for a small child to say — most pet names are two syllables with a repeated sound. It should survive adulthood, because a nickname is for the person he will be at forty as well as the baby he is now. And it should not be something he can be teased with in a classroom.

One caution worth saying: nicknames about size, weight or complexion — Golu, Motu, Kalu — are affectionate at home and follow a child into school, where they stop being affectionate. Pick something that will not become a comment.

The classic Indian pet names

The ones every generation recognises, most of them meaning some version of 'little one' or 'darling': Chotu (little one), Munna (little boy), Guddu, Bablu, Chintu, Tinku, Rinku, Bunty, Pappu, Gullu, Bittu, Sonu (golden), Monu, Titu, Golu, Nonu, Chiku, Cheeku (a chikoo, the fruit), Piku, Lallu, Raju, Babu (dear one), Deepu, Dodo, Tumpa.

Slightly older-fashioned and coming back: Kaku, Nanhe (little), Chunnu, Munnu, Ballu, Dabbu, Nannu, Toto, Jhonty, Chotto, Kutu, Lucky, Puchu, Guddan, Pintu, Rocky, Shonu, Bapu, Chotku, Pilu.

Two-syllable modern short ones that work as adult nicknames too: Ari, Avi, Adi, Ansh, Aru, Dev, Ish, Jay, Kabir's Kabi, Kian, Neel, Ojas, Reyu, Rian, Rudra's Rudy, Sai, Shiv, Vansh, Ved, Viru, Yash, Zoro, Aayu, Ayu, Kanu.

Regional favourites

North India: Golu, Chotu, Bablu, Pappu, Lalla, Munna, Nannu, Bittu, Guddu, Chunnu, Tinku, Bunty, Shonu, Dabbu, Pintu.

Bengal and the east: Khoka (little boy), Babu, Bubun, Tublu, Pintu, Rana, Buro, Tuku, Bappa, Raja, Shona (gold), Poltu, Bapi, Tunu, Chotton.

Maharashtra and the west: Bal, Baba, Piku, Chinu, Tanu, Sonu, Mitu, Bandu, Nana, Raju, Kanha, Appu, Bunny, Chintu, Pillu.

South India: Kanna (darling, Tamil), Chellam (dear one, Tamil), Thambi (little brother, Tamil), Papa (baby, Tamil), Kutty (small, Tamil and Malayalam), Kunju (little one, Malayalam), Mon (son, Malayalam), Unni (small boy, Malayalam), Chinnu (little, Telugu), Bujji (darling, Telugu), Abbai (boy, Telugu), Putta (little one, Kannada), Chintu, Chikku, Ammu.

Food, nature and sweet ones

Food nicknames, which every Indian family produces sooner or later: Laddoo, Jalebi, Gulab, Rasgulla, Barfi, Motichoor, Peda, Cheeku, Kaju, Badam, Pista, Mishri (sugar crystal), Shakkar (sugar), Malai (cream), Makhan (butter), Chotu Samosa, Bhindi (affectionately absurd), Pav, Kulfi, Toffee.

From nature and the sky: Chand (moon), Chandu, Tara (star), Sooraj (sun), Megh (cloud), Ambu (water), Meethu, Bulbul (a songbird), Cheetu, Titli's brotherly Bhramar (bee), Nadi, Vayu (wind), Baadal (cloud), Pahad, Chiku.

Simple affectionate ones in English that Indian families use freely: Baby, Bubu, Bubbles, Champ, Buddy, Sunny, Junior, Lucky, Tiger, Little Man, Prince, Cutie, Tuffy, Doodle, Bunny.

Twenty that suit almost any boy

If you want the shortlist rather than the whole list, these travel best — easy for a toddler to say, still fine on a grown man, and hard to turn into a taunt.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Should the nickname be related to the official name? — It often is, and it need not be. Half of India's pet names have no connection to the certificate name at all, which is why so many people are Bunty at home and something else at school.

Q: When do families choose it? — Usually within days of birth, and often before the official naming ceremony — which is why the pet name is frequently the name the baby answers to first.

Q: Can a pet name cause trouble later? — Only when it comments on the body. Nicknames about weight, height or complexion follow a child into the playground and stop being affectionate. Everything else is safe.

Q: Do we need a different name for school records? — Yes — use the official name on every document, consistently, from the birth certificate onward. Keep the pet name for home, and tell the school what he answers to so the first week is easier.