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Plus, tips for choosing the perfect uncle nickname
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Looking for a cool, funny, and unique alternative name for your uncle? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’re providing the ultimate list of uncle nicknames to celebrate your special bond. We’ll also teach you how to create a unique nickname that reflects your uncle’s personality and appearance, whether he’s a big teddy bear or the life of the party.

Best Nicknames to Call Your Uncle

  • Unk
  • Uncie
  • Wise Guy
  • Apo (Kurdish for “uncle)
  • Tio (Spanish for “uncle”)
  • Oji (Japanese for “uncle”)
  • Funcle (short for “fun uncle”)
Section 1 of 11:

Alternative Names for Your Uncle

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  1. Go for a traditional name that puts a fun spin on the word “uncle.” There are lots of simple, common shortenings of “uncle” that you can use to show affection. Here are some traditional options that work for any uncle in your life: [1]
    • Unc
    • Big Unk
    • Favuncle (stands for “favorite uncle”)
    • Funcle (short for “fun uncle”)
    • Nunk (stands for “non-uncle” and works for someone who isn’t biologically related)
    • U.T. or U.D. (use initials, like Uncle Trevor or Uncle Davis)
    • Uncie
    • Unkers
    • Unko
    • Unky
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Section 2 of 11:

International Nicknames for Uncles

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  1. Celebrate his heritage with a nickname that stems from his culture. Every language has its own word for “uncle,” and using it as a nickname is a wonderful way to honor your family background. Here’s how to say uncle in languages all over the world: [2]
    • Apo (Kurdish)
    • Amca (Turkish for paternal uncle)
    • Chú (Vietnamese)
    • Dayı (Turkish for maternal uncle)
    • Dyadya (Russian)
    • Eno (Finnish for maternal uncle)
    • Ewythr (Welsh)
    • Farbror (Swedish for paternal uncle)
    • Jiujiu (Chinese for maternal uncle)
    • Lung (Thai)
    • Mamang (Sudanese)
    • Monni (Luxembourgish)
    • Morbror (Swedish for maternal uncle)
    • Oji (Japanese)
    • Oncle (French)
    • Onkel (German)
    • Onklo (Esperanto)
    • Oom (Dutch and South African)
    • Samchon (Korean for paternal uncle)
    • Setä (Finnish for paternal uncle)
    • Shushu (Chinese for paternal uncle)
    • Theios (Greek)
    • Tio (Spanish)
    • Ujak (Croatian)
    • Umalume (Zulu)
    • Uncail (Irish)
    • Unchi (Romanian)
    • Wesamchon (Korean for maternal uncle)
    • Wujek (Polish)
    • Zio (Italian)
Section 3 of 11:

Cute Nicknames for Uncles

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  1. Highlight your uncle’s soft side with a cute nickname. If your uncle is a teddy bear with a heart of gold, consider giving him a cute nickname that acknowledges his gentle spirit. Here are some adorable and affectionate options to let everyone know he’s the absolute sweetest: [3]
    • Uncle Adventure
    • Bear
    • Biggie
    • Bubbles
    • Bug
    • Captain Fun
    • Chief Laughs-a-Lot
    • Chuckle Champ
    • Dancing Robot
    • Dimples
    • Ducky
    • Goldie
    • Goober
    • Grand Master Hugs
    • Hug Monster
    • Lovey
    • Monkey
    • Moose
    • Mr. Merry
    • Mr. Sunshine
    • Muffin Man
    • Professor Playtime
    • Sir Snuggles
    • Smartypants
    • Smile Maker
    • Snack King
    • Sparky
    • Speedy
    • Super Unc
    • Tiggy
    • Twinkle Toes
    • Uncle Jingles (if he’s into music)
    • Uncle Marvel
    • Wiggles
    • Wolfie
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Section 4 of 11:

Funny Nicknames for Uncles

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  1. Poke fun at your uncle with a silly and playful nickname. Looking for a nickname to make your uncle laugh out loud? Base it on an inside joke or memory, or make fun of your uncle’s age to playfully roast him . Just make sure he’s okay with what you come up with so you don’t accidentally offend him! Here are some hilarious ideas: [4]
    • Ancient
    • Big Mouth
    • Bonkers
    • Chatterbox
    • Cheesy
    • Chuckles
    • Cyclone
    • Dad #2
    • Dinosaur
    • Fossil
    • Geezer
    • Giggles
    • Goofball
    • Goofy
    • Grumpy
    • Jellybean
    • Jester
    • Loco
    • Loopy
    • Mr. Couch Potato
    • Mr. Krabs (if he’s generous)
    • Nutty
    • Old Man
    • Old Timer
    • Party Pants
    • Prankster
    • Quackers
    • Rascal
    • Relic
    • Rowdy Rooster
    • Senior
    • Sir Sleepyhead
    • Snickers
    • Tickles
    • Tornado
    • Wacky
    • Wildcat
    • Wise Guy
    • Wrinkles
Section 5 of 11:

Unique Nicknames for Uncles

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  1. Come up with a unique nickname that captures your uncle’s spirit. Instead of something generic, think of your uncle’s hobbies, interests, appearance, and personality to create a unique and personal nickname. You can choose a name based on his favorite food, activity, or character, or get creative with a name that matches his aura. Here are some fun ideas for inspiration: [5]
    • Apollo
    • Aquaman
    • Bacon
    • Batman
    • Bubba
    • Captain U
    • Cosmo
    • Deadpool
    • Doodle (if he’s an artist)
    • Echo
    • Gizmo (if he’s a tech lover)
    • Iceman
    • Jazzy
    • Juju
    • Mojo
    • Mysterio
    • Nomad (if he loves traveling)
    • Nugget
    • Obi-Wan
    • Otto
    • Popsi (a combo of “pop” and “uncle”)
    • Skywalker
    • Teddy
    • Thor
    • Toto
    • Unkster
    • Wiz (short for wizard)
    • Wolverine
    • Yoda (if he’s wise and knowledgeable)
    • Zee
    • Zeus
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Section 6 of 11:

Cool Nicknames for Uncles

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  1. Choose a trendy nickname if your uncle is the coolest member of the fam. Does your uncle tell entertaining stories, stay up to date on the latest slang, and listen to you without judgment? Well, he’s the definition of a cool uncle, and he deserves a nickname that matches his personality! Here are some edgy, chill, and smooth nicknames for the unc who’s basically a friend: [6]
    • Ace
    • Big Time
    • Blade
    • Blaze
    • Blitz
    • Boss
    • Bud
    • Buddy
    • Captain
    • Chief
    • Dash
    • Duke
    • Duncle (if he’s into basketball)
    • Fury
    • G-Money
    • Inferno
    • Jet
    • Joker
    • Laser
    • Legend
    • Maverick
    • Mr. Worldwide
    • Onyx
    • Phoenix
    • Rock
    • Rockstar
    • Shadow
    • Steel
    • Storm
    • Torch
    • Turbo
    • Zephyr
Section 7 of 11:

Pop Culture Nicknames for Uncles

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  1. Nickname him after your favorite TV, film, or literary uncle. There are so many iconic uncles in books, movies, and TV shows, and if your uncle reminds you of someone you’ve read or seen, you’ve got an easy nickname! Here are some of our favorite fictional uncles in pop culture:
    • Count Olaf ( A Series of Unfortunate Events )
    • Scar ( The Lion King )
    • Teardrop ( Winter’s Bone )
    • Uncle Albert ( Mary Poppins )
    • Uncle Ben ( Spider-Man )
    • Uncle Bill ( Family Affair )
    • Uncle Bobby ( The Uncle Bobby Show )
    • Uncle Buck ( Uncle Buck )
    • Uncle Charley ( My Three Sons )
    • Uncle Fester ( The Addams Family )
    • Uncle Frank ( Home Alone )
    • Uncle Gadget ( Inspector Gadget )
    • Uncle Henry ( The Wizard of Oz )
    • Uncle Jed ( The Beverly Hillbillies )
    • Uncle Jesse ( Full House )
    • Uncle Joe ( Petticoat Junction )
    • Uncle Joey ( Full House )
    • Uncle Junior ( The Sopranos )
    • Uncle Leo ( Seinfeld )
    • Uncle Owen ( Star Wars: A New Hope )
    • Uncle Phil ( The Fresh Prince of Bel Air )
    • Uncle Remus ( Song of the South )
    • Uncle Rico ( Napoleon Dynamite )
    • Uncle Russell ( Death at a Funeral )
    • Uncle Scrooge ( Ducktales )
    • Uncle Traveling Matt ( Fraggle Rock )
    • Uncle Vernon ( Harry Potter )
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Section 8 of 11:

Uncle Nicknames Using First Names

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  1. Add a general uncle title to his first-name nickname. You can come up with a nickname for most first names, whether your uncle has a classic or modern name. Popping “uncle,” “unc,” or “unky” at the beginning is a super quick and easy way to create something personal. Here are some awesome examples:
    • Funkle Frankie (for Frank)
    • Uncle Benny (for Benjamin)
    • Uncle Caz (for Caspian)
    • Uncle Char (for Charlie)
    • Uncle Dex (for Dexter)
    • Uncle Dom (for Dominic)
    • Uncle Ed (for Edward)
    • Uncle Fab (for Fabian)
    • Uncle Gabe (for Gabriel)
    • Uncle Ike (for Isaac)
    • Uncle Jase (for Jason)
    • Uncle Jay (for James)
    • Uncle Kit (for Christopher)
    • Uncle Markle (for Mark)
    • Uncle Nate (for Nathan)
    • Uncle Nicky (for Nicolas)
    • Uncle Oz (for Oscar)
    • Uncle Sam (for Samuel)
    • Unco Zach (for Zachary)
    • Unkie Day (for David)
    • Unk Jonno (for John or Jonathan)
    • Unko Matty (for Matthew)
    • Unko Ro (for Ronan)
    • Unky Lip (for Phillip)
    • Unky Rob (for Robert)
Section 9 of 11:

How to Choose the Perfect Uncle Nickname

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  1. 1
    Consider your uncle’s age, appearance, and personality. When it comes to inventing a nickname, you should reflect on your uncle’s hobbies, interests, traits, and age. Make a list of possible options, then slowly eliminate the ones that aren’t as cool or catchy. If your uncle is a big jokester, for example, you could call him “Giggles.” If he’s known for falling asleep on the couch, you could call him “Sir Sleepyhead.” Have fun coming up with a name that’s just as unique as your uncle! [7]
  2. 2
    Choose a nickname that’s personal and easy to say. Nicknames should be short and snappy, so try to create one that rolls off the tongue easily. You should also pick a name that celebrates the role your uncle plays in your life and reflects how much you love him. When in doubt, keep it short and sweet! [8]
    • Think of inside jokes or things you’ve done with your uncle. Specifying his nickname is a great way to deepen your bond and make him feel special!
  3. 3
    Get his approval before using the nickname. Before calling your uncle a nickname, be sure he’s OK with being given a new name, and don’t assume he’s cool with just any name. Nicknames are supposed to be kind, affectionate, and thoughtful, but even if your intentions are good, a funny nickname might hurt his feelings. [9]
    • If your uncle doesn’t like his nickname, respect his wishes and don’t use it. You can always come up with something else, or ask him what he’d like to be called.
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Section 10 of 11:

Origins of “Uncle”

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  1. The word “uncle” stems from Latin “avunculus,” meaning “mother's brother.” It’s a diminutive of “avus,” which means “grandfather,” so “avunculus” is another way of saying “little grandfather.” The Latin word was adopted into Old French as “oncle” and then into Middle English as “uncle.” [10]
    • The word “uncle” was first used in the 14th century.
    • In Old English, a mother’s brother was called an “eam,” while a father’s brother was called a “faedera.”
Section 11 of 11:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. 1
    What can you call a non-binary uncle? You can refer to your non-binary uncle as “auncle” (a combination of “aunt” and “uncle”), “pibling” (stands for “parent’s sibling”), or “unty” (a mixture of “uncle” and “aunty”). https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/04/a-guide-to-inclusive-gender-neutral-family-terms Some people may prefer a more personalized nickname, so feel free to ask your uncle if they have any suggestions.
  2. 2
    What are some alternative names for aunts? “Auntie,” “Lala,” “Tia” (Spanish for “aunt”), and “Zia” (Italian for “aunt”) are some traditional names for aunts . However, you can choose a cute nickname, like “Dolly,” “Kiki,” “Twiggy,” or “Auzzy,” or go for something fun like “Sassy,” “Momzy,” “ChaCha,” or “Auntie Poppins.” Have fun creating a nickname that matches your aunt’s personality, appearance, and hobbies!
  3. 3
    What are some unique nicknames for aunts? Some unique names include “Tia Turner,” “Aunt Stardust,“ “Auntie-Bestie,” “Fauntie” (“fun auntie”), and “Launtie” (“lovely auntie”). You could also look up how to say “aunt” in another language to be different. Here are some international examples:
    • Aintin (Irish)
    • Bibi (Indonesian)
    • Eedo (Somali)
    • Guma (Chinese)
    • Imo (Korean)
    • Moster (Swedish)
    • Oba (Japanese)
    • Täti (Finnish)
    • Teta (Lithuanian)
    • Tetka (Croatian)
    • Theia (Greek)
    • Tiya (Filipino)
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