Being a stepdad can be very challenging. Aside from different parenting styles, there are often power struggles within the family unit. Each person has their particular idea of how parenting should be done and these styles are often conflicting. In addition, there’s the awkward question of finding a name for the stepdad.
More often than not, names and nicknames just happen because they’re derived from a fun or quirky moment experienced by everyone. But does it have to be like that? Maybe it helps if the stepdad and the children come up with a name that isn’t mean or insulting.
I’ve had extensive chats with parents, stepdads in particular, to see what names they’re comfortable being called. I also digged into forums. Let me show you some stepdad nickname ideas and how you can come up with a suitable one.
- Common Nicknames for a Stepdad like “Dad”
- Should a Child Call a Stepdad Dad?
- Unique nicknames for a stepdad
- Use your name after the word dad or pappa
- Nickname based on your profession
- Variation of your first name
- Your initials as a name
- Use a military/navy or airforce rank if you are or were enlisted
- Your second name as a nickname if no one else uses it
- Naming you after your favorite movie characters
- Naming you after your favorite musician
- After your favorite sports stars
- If you speak a different language than your stepchildren, using the word dad or father from your native tongue
- Mean Nicknames for a Stepdad
- Cute and funny nicknames for a stepdad
- Other Ways to Choose a Nickname for a Stepdad
- Final Thoughts
Common Nicknames for a Stepdad like “Dad”
The following variations of “dad” work exceptionally well if you want to be easily differentiated from the biological father. Some of the ones below are stereotypical:
- Daddy “First Name” such as Daddy James or Daddy Bill
- Pop
- Pa
- Papa
- Pa + first name (Pa John)
- Daddy-O
- Baba
- Popster
- Poppa
- Pops
- Pop-Pop
- Poppy
- Poopsie
- Daddyo
- Step-Daddio
- Mom’s Man
- Step-Bear
Should a Child Call a Stepdad Dad?
The general consensus here is that as long as a child is old enough to distinguish between the biological parent and the stepparent, it’s perfectly alright to refer to the stepdad as “dad”. However, in most cases, to avoid confusion in smaller children, it’s often easier to choose a different name.
Unique nicknames for a stepdad
Sometimes it’s easier to transition into the stepdad role if the parties involved come up with a name together. Some unique nicknames include the following.
Use your name after the word dad or pappa
Try one of these:
- Daddy Joe or Daddy Roger
- Pappa Gary or Pappa Adam
Nickname based on your profession
Try these:
- Coach
- Teach
- Warden
- Judge
- Professor
- Doc or “the Doc”
- Chef
Variation of your first name
Go for one of these:
- If your name’s Matthew, they can use Matt/Maddy
- If your name’s Joseph, they can use Joe/Joey
Your initials as a name
Simply try this:
- If your name is Donald Jameson, use D.J.
Use a military/navy or airforce rank if you are or were enlisted
Perhaps one of these:
- Admiral
- Commander
- Captain
- Chief
- General
- Sarge
- Agent
Your second name as a nickname if no one else uses it
Or this one:
- Matthew James Williams – they’ll use “James”
Naming you after your favorite movie characters
How about:
- Gandalf
- 007
- Godfather
- Terminator
- Superman
- IronMan
Naming you after your favorite musician
One of these perhaps:
- Elvis
- Johnny Cash
- Bruce
- Elton
- Prince
After your favorite sports stars
What about these:
- Tiger
- Sergio
- David
- Neymar
- LeBron
If you speak a different language than your stepchildren, using the word dad or father from your native tongue
Try these:
- Vater (German)
- Papi (Spanish)
- Athair (Irish)
- Abba (Hebrew)
- Padre (Italian)
- Abbi (Arabic)
- Otec (Slovak)
- Otosan (Japanese)
Mean Nicknames for a Stepdad
If the relationship between the stepdad and the children is somewhat tense, the nicknames could be mean and disrespectful. Some of those include the following:
- Dork
- Wallet (they might see as the money supplier only)
- Baby Face (if you look younger than their biological dad)
- Alpha (if you like to lay down the law resulting in conflict)
- Bourbon (if you like the occasional drink)
- Dictator (if you’re strict)
- Fatso (if you’re not as thin as their father)
- Four eyes (if you use glasses)
- Nosey (if you ask many questions)
- Snooze
- His Highness
Cute and funny nicknames for a stepdad
When the relationship is great from the beginning, or the children are younger, it’s easier to develop funny and quirky nicknames. Examples include:
- Papa Bear
- Old Man
- Dado
- Zeus (if they regard you as the King of the house)
- Boss (if you have a bossy personality)
- Guy
- Sensei (if either of you does martial arts)
- Daddy-kins
- Dadinator (a variant of the terminator)
- Daddy dearest
- Buddy
- BFG (Based on the children’s story Big Friendly Giant)
- Baldy
- Care Bear (if you’re a cuddly guy)
- Dada (an option for little ones to use)
- Diddums (often used by smaller children)
- Fixer (the guy who fixes everything)
- Grizzly
- Homer
- Huggy Bear
- Joker
- Mayor + first name (Mayor Bob)
- Governor
- Mufasa (King of the Jungle)
- Santa
- D2 (dad number 2)
- Boo-boo (used by little ones)
- Big-Guy
- King + first name (King Jack)
- MG (mom’s guy)
- Sailor + First name (Sailor Joe – if you enjoy sailing)
- D2 (dad number 2)
- Boo-boo (used by little ones)
- Big-Guy
- King + first name (King Jack)
- MG (mom’s guy)
- Sailor + First name (Sailor Joe – if you enjoy sailing)
- Honcho
- Pop Rocks
- Dadzilla
- Dadasaur
Other Ways to Choose a Nickname for a Stepdad
The easiest way to ensure your nickname isn’t a mean or insulting name chosen by the children is to be involved in the selection process. Be open to some strange and unusual choices for bonus dad nicknames, especially from younger children who often see adults in a different light.
Let your stepchild call you
As the relationship develops, see what the children are calling you out of their own. Explain to them that they don’t have to call you “dad” if it makes them feel uncomfortable. If the nickname they choose for you is mean or an ugly word, encourage them to come up with a different name. Use my list as a guideline!
Help Your Kids Come up With One you’ll Like
No one wants to be called by an ugly, insulting, or derogatory name. So, if you have had a rocky start to the relationship with your stepchildren, the easiest resolve will be to sit down with them and help them come up with a name.
Final Thoughts
If you’re going to be part of a blended family, one of the best ways to assert your role within the current dynamic is to get the name and nickname sorted out early in the game. Just as you aren’t there to replace any parent, it also isn’t necessary to be called by the “dad” moniker.
The important aspect here is building a relationship, and often that means dealing with a quirky name as your new nickname. Be open to accepting a few name options that might not have originally crossed your mind. Nicknames for stepdads can be fun, just like nicknames for stepmoms.
