Learn the Most Popular Couple Nickname in Every State

Preply’s new article on the most popular couple pet names in each state digs into one of life’s little joys: what couples call their partners. The piece also explores the importance couples place on these names. This is a crash course on love language, with “babe” and “honey” taking center stage, along with a surprising amount of “dumpling.”

The researchers surveyed thousands of U.S. residents nationwide and asked about their use of affectionate nicknames in relationships. They gave each state a score from 0 to 100 based on nickname frequency, variety, and whether folks saved their partner’s pet name on their phone instead of their given name. Basically, the more “boo” and the less “hey you,” the higher the score earned.

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Topping the nickname list with nearly perfect scores were New York (99.84), Virginia (98.30), and Nevada (98.04). If you’ve ever wondered which states are all over pet names like syrup on pancakes, here’s your answer. Virginians are particularly committed. They love nicknames so much that many people save them as contacts in their phones, and they will proudly defend their choice. Meanwhile, Nevadans use nicknames as flashy as the Las Vegas Strip.

On the other hand, some states are less than enthusiastic about nicknames. Minnesota holds the dubious honor of being the least likely to use a pet name and label the behavior as cringe. They’re followed by Colorado and Massachusetts. In Minnesota, you’re more likely to hear someone say “sweetheart” with more sarcasm than sweetness.

An extra fun section displays the team’s favorite unique couple nicknames and the state where they found them. While “babe,” “love,” and “honey” might be the most commonplace, some couples would rather put their own unique spin on relationship names.

• Honey is the most common pick in the country. This warm, golden classic is popular in Nebraska, Michigan, New Jersey, and Washington.
• Baby reigns as the most popular nickname in Florida, Arizona, and Tennessee, showing off a more playful vibe.
• Cupcake takes the cake for New York, where it seems to be a sweet and city-trendy name.
• Dumpling is Alabama’s favorite and seriously adorable nickname, while the sweet “sugar” is the most popular in New Mexico.
• In places like Nevada and West Virginia, some fun and old-fashioned nicknames are popular, like “honeybun.” Why settle for honey when you can add the buns?

These quirky, regional flavors of affection paint a sweet picture of romance in the U.S. Almost two-thirds of all couples surveyed are called “love,” “honey,” or “babe” by their partners, often more than by their actual names. Around 69% of Americans believe pet names strengthen their relationship and feel nervous or suspicious that something is wrong when their partner doesn’t use their nickname. Over a third of people admitted to using the same nickname across different relationships, indicating that these names come as natural old favorites more than specific choices to match certain personalities. This map is a fun look at the way Americans express love through names.