French pet names aren’t just for lovers. Use them for friends, kids, or even your dog. Here’s a no-nonsense list of the best ones.
1. Mon petit chou
Mon petit chou
/mɔ̃ pə.ti ʃu/“My little cabbage”
Sounds weird in English, but in French, it’s peak cuteness. Also used for kids.
2. Mon amour
Mon amour
/mɔ̃ a.muʁ/“My love”
Classic. Works in any romantic context.
3. Mon chéri / Ma chérie
Mon chéri / Ma chérie
/mɔ̃ ʃe.ʁi/ /ma ʃe.ʁi/“My darling”
Gender-specific. ‘Chéri’ for males, ‘chérie’ for females. Also used casually between friends.
4. Mon lapin
Mon lapin
/mɔ̃ la.pɛ̃/“My rabbit”
Playful, often used for kids or pets. Not just for actual rabbits.
5. Mon soleil
Mon soleil
/mɔ̃ sɔ.lɛj/“My sunshine”
For when someone brightens your day. Cheesy but effective.
6. Mon ange
Mon ange
/mɔ̃ ɑ̃ʒ/“My angel”
Sweet, slightly dramatic. Best reserved for special moments.
7. Mon trésor
Mon trésor
/mɔ̃ tʁe.zɔʁ/“My treasure”
Intimate. Implies they’re precious to you.
8. Mon cœur
Mon cœur
/mɔ̃ kœʁ/“My heart”
Simple, heartfelt. Works in both romantic and platonic contexts.
9. Mon loulou
Mon loulou
/mɔ̃ lu.lu/“My little one”
Affectionate, often for kids or pets. Also ‘ma louloute’ for girls.
10. Mon chaton
Mon chaton
/mɔ̃ ʃa.tɔ̃/“My kitten”
Cutesy. Ideal for someone with cat-like charm.
11. Mon poussin
Mon poussin
/mɔ̃ pu.sɛ̃/“My chick”
Literally ‘my chick’, but used like ‘sweetie’. Mostly for kids.
12. Mon bébé
Mon bébé
/mɔ̃ be.be/“My baby”
Direct but effective. Works for partners, kids, or pets.
Pro tip: Pronunciation matters. If you butcher these, they lose their charm. Use IPA as a guide.
Want more French vocab? Check out French for Fashion Lovers or The Art of French Compliments.
