student asking question

What's the difference between "pet name" and "nickname"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

A "nickname" is a name that is shortened and derives off of your birth name that anyone can use. For example, my birth name is Rebecca but my nickname is Becca. Pretty much everyone calls me Becca because that is my nickname. I am also fine with anyone calling me Becca. A "pet name" however, is typically used by one person and is more intimate and personal. For example, a "pet name" that my grandma calls me is "Boo." No one else calls me this but my grandmother. She has called me this ever since I was a little girl and is a special pet name that only she can call me. I would not like or appreciate it if someone else called me this pet name. Ex: Her nickname is Niki but her pet name that her mom calls her is squeaks.

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