- What does it mean if you call someone 'Love'?
People often use nicknames such as these if they do not know a person's name and it definitely does not mean that a person is 'in love' with another person if they call them 'Love'.
It is usually females who will be referred to by the names above and it would be seen as very un-masculine for a male to be called 'Love' by another man. Popular generic nicknames for men to apply to other men include, 'mate', 'bud', 'lad' or 'kid'.
- Why use nicknames?
The word 'nickname' literally means 'additional name' as it is an extra name you may be referred to other than the name you were given at birth. Some people have nicknames that refer to them and them only but other nicknames are given to many people.
Nicknames are often created by shortening a person's name. A man named David for example will often be referred to as 'Dave' or a woman named 'Nicola' may have the nickname of 'Nic' or 'Nicky'. This is purely a way to simplify a person's name and make it easier to say.
- Pet names
Pet names are similar to nicknames, in that it is an additional name given to a person, but a pet name will usually only be used by one specific person. Mothers often give their children pet names or best friends may refer to each other by pet names.
It is also common for couples to have romantic pet names for each other and it has been proven that married couples who use pet names are less likely to get divorced that couples who do not have affectionate pet names.
