Nicknames for Dad: 44 Funny, Cute and Sweet Names Kids Call Dad
The most common nicknames for dad are Dada, Daddy, Papa, Pops and Pa. For something with more personality, try Papa Bear from little kids, The Legend or Chief from teens, or funny ones like Dad Joke Champion and Grill Master.
Below are 44 nicknames for dad, sorted by who's calling him: little kids, teens, the jokers in the family and anyone writing a holiday gift tag. Pull one in the picker, save your favorites and copy the list.
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44 names from this page. Tap Next, save the ones you like, compare later.
Nicknames for dad from little kids
The first names are the simplest, and they're often the ones Dad loves most.
- Dada: a baby's first try at Dad
- Daddy: the classic little-kid name
- Papa: warm and old-fashioned
- Pops: a fun, friendly short one
- Pa: short, simple and sweet
- Daddio: a playful, sing-song name
- Papa Bear: for the dad who protects his cubs
- Big Guy: for a dad who's a giant to a toddler
- Da: a tiny name for tiny voices
- Dad-Dad: a toddler's double-up favorite
Nicknames for dad from teens
Teens tease, and dads tease right back. These names keep it friendly.
- Father: said with a straight face by every teen
- Pop: short and easygoing
- Old Man: a teasing classic, best said with a smile
- Dad Bod Squad: for a dad who laughs at himself
- Big Dog: for the dad who leads the pack
- Chief: for the head of the house
- Dad-o: a relaxed teen version
- The Legend: for the dad with the best stories
- Captain: for a dad who steers the ship
- Coach: for a dad who cheers from the sidelines
Funny nicknames for dad
Every dad has a few habits the whole family knows. Turn them into a title.
- Dad Joke Champion: for the dad with a pun for everything
- Grill Master: for the king of the backyard grill
- Mr. Fix-It: for the dad who can fix anything with tape
- Remote Control King: for the dad who guards the remote
- Thermostat Guard: for the dad who checks the heat all winter
- Captain Dad: for a dad who leads every family trip
- Professor Dad: for the dad who knows a fact about everything
- Snack Thief: for the dad who eats the last cookie
- Sir Naps-a-Lot: for the dad who falls asleep during every movie
- Dadzilla: for a dad who's big, loud and lovable
Sweet nicknames for dad
For cards, notes and the moments when a joke isn't the right fit.
- My Hero: for the dad who saves the day
- Best Dad Ever: a kid-made gift-tag classic
- Big Hugs: for the dad with bear-sized hugs
- Daddy-O: a cheerful vintage pick
- Rock: for the dad everyone leans on
- Number One Dad: the mug classic, now a nickname
- Daddy Bear: a softer Papa Bear
- Super Dad: for the dad who does it all
Holiday nicknames for dad
Perfect for Christmas tags, stockings and card envelopes.
- Santa Dad: for the dad who plays Santa
- Papa Elf: for the dad who builds every toy
- Light-Hanger: for the dad on the ladder with the lights
- Jolly Pops: for a dad who's merry all season
- Tree Chief: for the dad who picks the perfect tree
- Cocoa King: for the dad who makes the hot cocoa
Match the nickname to your dad
| If your dad is... | Try |
|---|---|
| The family comedian | Dad Joke Champion, Daddio, Dadzilla |
| Always fixing something | Mr. Fix-It, Captain Dad, Chief |
| The cook | Grill Master, Cocoa King |
| The sports fan | Coach, Captain, Big Dog |
| The gentle giant | Papa Bear, Big Hugs, Daddy Bear |
| Sleepy after dinner | Sir Naps-a-Lot, Remote Control King |
Dad nicknames made from his name
Mixing Dad with his first name or initial gives a nickname that's his alone. A few patterns kids love:
| Pattern | Example | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| Papa plus initial | Dad named David | Papa D |
| Big plus initial | Dad named Marcus | Big M |
| Dad plus a hobby | Dad who fishes | Fishing Dad, Captain Dad |
| Pops plus name | Dad named Joe | Pops Joe |
| Name plus -ster | Dad named Tom | Tomster |
Grown kids often switch from Daddy to Dad, then to Pops or Pop as the years go by. Many dads say the name doesn't matter as much as hearing it.
Tips for giving Dad a nickname
- Use what he's known for. The best dad nicknames come from real family stories.
- Keep the teasing light. Old Man and Snack Thief are funny when he's laughing too.
- Put it on a gift tag. A nickname makes even a pair of socks feel personal.
- Save it in your phone. Our contact names for family has ideas for everyone in the house.
Naming Mom too? See our nicknames for mom. Picking names for the kids? Try nicknames for son and nicknames for daughter. For the whole family chat, there's family group chat names, and the nickname generator can mix up more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are cute nicknames for dad?
Dada, Daddy, Papa, Papa Bear, Big Hugs and My Hero are cute nicknames for dad that little kids love.
What are funny nicknames for dad?
Dad Joke Champion, Grill Master, Mr. Fix-It, Thermostat Guard and Sir Naps-a-Lot are funny, loving nicknames for dad.
What do teens call their dad?
Teens often use Pops, Pop, Father, Old Man, Chief or The Legend, usually with a grin.
What is a good nickname for dad on a Christmas gift tag?
Santa Dad, Papa Elf, Jolly Pops, Tree Chief and Cocoa King are fun holiday nicknames for a gift tag.
What's the difference between Papa and Pops?
Both mean Dad. Papa feels warm and old-fashioned, and little kids use it a lot. Pops is more casual and is popular with older kids and teens.
