My wife has always had the uncanny ability to assign a cute but oddly fitting nickname to each of our children and every pet we’ve ever had. She’s outdone herself with our 6 month old, whom she affectionately calls “Shipwreck”.
The nickname mostly refers to his baby-typical behavior and poses, especially when he’s completely smashed on milk and looks like a sleepy drunk, but I can’t help but think of the beloved G.I. Joe character of the same codename every time I hear it. It’s gotten me thinking about other 80s cartoon character names that could make great baby nicknames:
Trap Jaw (Masters of the Universe) – particularly when teething.
Cherry Cuddler (Strawberry Shortcake) – actually, this list could have consisted entirely of Strawberry Shortcake characters: Blueberry Muffin, Plum Puddin’, Lucky Bug, Mr. Longface and Apple Dumplin’ all work as well.
Bumblebee (Transformers) – though considerably less adorable, “Starscream”, “Kickback” or “Tantrum” might be more fitting when they’re tired and cranky.
Pizzazz (Jem) – for those mini-Misfits about to rock.
Pidge (Voltron) – if you use “pidge” as short for “pigeon”, it’s kind of a terrible baby nickname. If you use it in homage to the pilot of Voltron’s green lion, you are rad.
Mayhem (M.A.S.K.) – I lobbied hard to name our baby “Mayhem” after Dean Winters’ hilarious character featured in Allstate ads, but a nickname could do as well. Once the name has stuck, you can tell your fellow children of the 80s it’s based on V.E.N.O.M.’s leader, Miles Mayhem.
Jokey (The Smurfs) – tell me this guy doesn’t look like he’s just brimming with anticipation for the payoff of a joke. “Go ahead, check the diaper!”
Chuckles (G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero) – because laughter is the best everything. While certainly a unique G.I. Joe figure, “Chuckles” functions as a great nickname for a little one, which incidentally is what my friend Mark calls my son Charlie. Between “Chuckles” and “Shipwreck”, we have G.I. Joe classes of ’85 and ’87 covered.
Snarf (Thundercats) – how could you not want to nickname a baby after this guy? #teamSnarf
Hit the comments with other 80s cartoon character names would make great baby nicknames!
top image by Chad Fuller
Trap Jaw is also good for when they’re breast feeding
Nice. We do nicknames as well. New baby girl Georgia is “Princess Peach” ala Super Mario Brothers.
My oldest is Gameboy because he goes from the Playstation to computer to my tablet playing video games.
Middle is Linus cause he still carries around his blanket from time to time.
We already have Sachy, Bear and DC. Not 80s characters I know but its interesting how fast and random these nicknames show up. The latest comes from him locking his legs when we pick him up from the changing table. Its almost like he’s standing straight up on his own. Becoming a big guy. “Eh-neeek-chock”