For you independent kid, Mav, short for Maverick, is a great nickname. It’s short, sweet, and shows that you embrace his free spirit.

Let’s say your child is as fast an unpredictable as they come. Pair that with one (or more) football-loving parents in the family and you’ve got yourself the perfect nickname for a boy.

For a baby who has always tracked in the upper 90th percentile for size, even while in utero, you can’t get more on-the-nail than Titan (which refers to a class of giants in Greek mythology.

All of those delicious rolls and folds have well earned your boy the title of Chunky Monkey. Maybe it’s his sweet little stomach or those thick baby thighs, but this nickname is sweet any way you put it (and it might put you in the mood for some ice cream).

Your son is your baby boy. And then, seemingly overnight, your not-so-little guy becomes almost like a mini adult. That’s when a Little Man nickname is an absolute must.

In Spanish, “chico” means “boy” but it also means “little.” So basically, by calling your little boy chico, you’re just calling him, well, a little boy. But it sounds so cute in Spanish.

There’s no denying your '80s or '90s childhood if “dude” is in your vernacular. Giving your child the Dude nickname means that he’s a cool kid for sure. And you can always switch it up and say “Big Dude” or “Little Dude.”

Because sometimes he's a snuggly teddy bear, and sometimes he's a silly willy nilly old bear, and sometimes he's a grumpy bear... but he's always your little bear. (And even when he's a big bear, this nickname will still sound almost cool.)

"Little mouse" in Italian, this one can always be shortened to "Topo" when your kid gets "too old" for silly nicknames. *Sob*

At his last well-baby visit, you marveled at how much bigger your boy has become. So give your big guy the props he deserves with this nickname that celebrates how much he’s grown.

Whether he watches Sesame Street, loves eating some double chocolate chunk cookies, or both, Cookie Monster might be a fitting name for your child. Plus, putting the word Cookie at the front softens the sound of it, because you might get some looks if you just call your kid Monster!

The French word for "teddy bear," you'd pick this one for all the reasons you might choose Bear (above), except... in French (so it's even more charming).

Can't you just picture a little boy who goes by the name Bubsy? You'd just want to squeeze him. And sometimes, you could just call him Bubs.

What is it about caped crusaders that kids find so captivating? If your son is obsessed with every Marvel character on the block, you can call him Batman, Spiderman, Superman — or just cover all your superhero bases and call him Hero instead.

Perfect for little ones who crawled at the speed of light and haven't slowed down since, this nickname is extra cool because it's also the name of a superhero.

Calling your kid “kid” might come off as a little abrupt. But “kiddo” softens it up a bit, and connotes all the love and affection you have toward your little one.

OK, so literally this means "my blanket or cuddly thing" in French, but it's just one of those whimsical, weirdly endearing terms of endearment.

From fetching food and constantly refilling his sippy cup, you already treat your son like a royal. Give him the status he deserves by calling him Prince. Now all he needs is to learn how to do the royal wave...

Your son already steals the show every time you’re together. That’s why calling your child Rock Star just makes sense.

There’s nothing like a sweet-natured little boy, so show your son some sugar by calling him Sweetie. It’s truly a nickname that never goes out of style.

Whether he’s spot on in sports or excels in arts, Ace is a good nickname for a boy. It can also mean “number one” or “the best,” which is most likely how you feel about your sweet boy, anyway.

Is it even a question who’s steering the ship that is your house? We didn’t think so. Captain is a cute name, whether you’re into all things nautical or not. (You’re probably Googling where to buy a captain’s hat for your kiddo right about now, aren’t you?)

When you see your toddler sprinting away from you, it can feel like you’re in a perpetual 100-yard dash to catch him. For the kiddo you can’t keep up with, Dash is an adorable nickname for your baby boy.

Your kis has rocked you (and your life) like a hurricane — in a good way. So if your child leaves quite a mess behind him, the weather reports predict a Hurricane. Or if you want something shorter, Storm will do just fine.

You just love your juicy little man. But even if he’s into the big green guy or not, Hulk is a fun nickname for the son who makes his presence (and his quick-fire temper) known.

Maybe it’s because of his affinity for jumping off of your kitchen island. Or perhaps it’s his knack for sneaking up behind you when he’s looking for a snack. Even if he only has his white belt, Ninja might be fitting for your little boy.

Your son, well, he’s a heartbreaker. When you see that your little sweetie has a way with the ladies (like getting extra apple slices at daycare), Ladies’ Man is a perfect moniker.

How is it that your 2 year-old already knows most of the U.S. state capitals? Because your boy is brilliant, that’s why. That’s what makes Professor such an appropriate name for your little smarty pants.

He leaves a trail of Goldfish crumbs behind him wherever he goes. He’s strong-willed and super cute, which is a fantastic combo when you’re still packing Pull-Ups. That’s when a nickname like Rebel might suit your little wild child.

For the little guy who is always by your side, Shadow is a sweet boy’s nickname. Maybe it’s how he follows you to the bathroom (and pounds on the door while you’re trying to poop), but Shadow makes sense for your son who is like a permanent appendage and always on your hip.

Even if you’re not big into baseball, Slugger is a boy’s nickname that never goes out of style. You might use it when your son does a great job during his T-ball game, or say it as a term of endearment (and encouragement) when he’s had a particularly hard day at pre-K.

Your son will always feel like a hero when you call him Champ. Of course, it shouldn’t be confused with “champs, because, you know, that’s something entirely different altogether.

No matter how much you swoon over your son’s first name, ultimately it will be his nickname that you’ll come to use the most. So don’t think you have to buddy up to the name Buddy, or choose Chief, either. Eventually, you might find yourself using one of the nicknames on this list that encompasses his character — and his cuteness, too.