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Why Does Your Girlfriend Call You Daddy? (Plus, How to Respond) Download Article Discover why she calls you “daddy” & whether it’s a red flag Co-authored by Tara Vossenkemper, PhD, LPC and Eric McClure
Last Updated: May 25, 2024 References
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Why does my girlfriend call me daddy?
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Is calling me daddy a red flag?
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This article was co-authored by Tara Vossenkemper, PhD, LPC and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Dr. Tara Vossenkemper is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Founder and Managing Director of The Counseling Hub, LLC, a group counseling practice located in Columbia, Missouri. She is also the Founder of and a Business Consultant with Tara Vossenkemper Consulting, LLC, a consulting service for therapy practice owners. With over twelve years of experience, she specializes in using the Gottman Method of relationship therapy with couples on the brink of divorce, who have conflict, or who feel disconnected from one another. Dr. Vossenkemper holds a BA in Psychology from The University of Missouri, Saint Louis, an MA in Counseling from Missouri Baptist University, and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from The University of Missouri, Saint Louis. She has also completed Level 3 training in the Gottman Method Couples Therapy approach and has been formally trained in both the Prepare-Enrich Premarital Couples Counseling approach and the PREP Approach for couples counseling. This article has been viewed 372,226 times.
If your girlfriend has a habit of calling you “daddy,” you might be a little thrown off or confused. We’ve got good news for you, though. You can rest easy tonight—this is a very common pet name, and it’s a sign that she’s really into you! Even if it seems a little odd right now, hopefully it will make sense soon. Read on to learn more about why she does this, and why it isn’t anything to worry about.
Why Your Girlfriend Calls You “Daddy”
“Daddy” is a term of endearment that signifies care, love, and protection. If your girlfriend calls you “daddy,” it means she likes you and feels comfortable around you. Alternatively, she might call you “daddy” because it turns her on and she wants you to take charge in the bedroom.
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Section 1 of 4:
Why does my girlfriend call me daddy?
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1 She likes you and feels safe around you. Generally speaking, dads tend to be caring, loving, and protective. Calling you “daddy” implies that you’re all of these things for her! It’s a good thing, and she’s doing this because she’s comfortable around you, so don’t assume there’s something problematic going on here. She’s not literally saying you’re her father![1]XResearch source
While “daddy” often means “father,” people also use it casually as a synonym for “boss,” “protector,” or “provider.” She is 100% using “daddy” to mean the latter here.
2 She likes how strong and authoritative you are. Regardless of whether it’s true or not, dads have a stereotype for being the “stronger” parent in a hetero-normative relationship. Dads are also known for being “tougher” on children than mothers are. She may be calling you daddy to signal that she thinks you’re the dominant person in the relationship, which probably appeals to her.[2]XResearch source
Some people like being the “follower” in a relationship. They like the comfort and security of feeling like someone else is taking the lead. Even if it doesn’t really make sense to you, it makes sense to her!
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3 It might turn her on. If she says this when the two of you are getting intimate, it's probably a turn-on for her. A lot of people like it when their partner is in charge in bed. If she likes it when you take the lead, she might like being more submissive when you're hooking up.[3]XResearch source
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Is calling me daddy a red flag?
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1 Nope, it shouldn’t be anything to worry about. "Daddy" is becoming more and more common of a pet name, and it's not unusual for women to use it to refer to their partners. There’s a cliché out there that women who call their partner “daddy” have daddy issues, but that’s really not necessarily the case. A lot of women just like it as a pet name![4]XResearch source
2 Your girlfriend calling you "daddy” might be a green flag if you think about it! A lot of people feel like a hero when they “protect” their girlfriend, and one of a dad’s main responsibilities is to protect their children. If your girlfriend calls you daddy, she’s signaling that you’re keeping her safe and happy. From that perspective, the fact that she’s trying to make you feel good about protecting her is a sign that she really cares about you.[5]XResearch source
3 The use of pet names in general is considered a good sign in a relationship. Professional therapists, counselors, and psychologists all generally agree that pet names are a sign of a healthy, functional relationship.[6]X Trustworthy Source PubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source While your girlfriend’s choice in the pet name department may strike you as odd, it’s a good sign that she’s using them at all.[7]XResearch source
If everything else is going well in the relationship, you have nothing to worry about here. It’s just one of her little quirks!
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How should I respond when she calls me daddy?
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“Babe” and “baby” are both safe options. "Babe" and "baby" are popular pet names for couples, and they can be used to lean into the dominant/submissive aspect of a relationship if you're into it (even if you're not, they're still a safe bet!). You could also go with something like “cutie” or “sweetie” if you prefer.[8]XResearch source
Your best bet is always to ask your girlfriend what pet names she likes. She might like "babe" or "baby," or she might prefer something else. Find out what she likes!
Section 4 of 4:
What if she calls me daddy and it makes me uncomfortable?
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If you don’t like “daddy,” ask her to pick a new nickname. If you don’t like it when she calls you daddy, feel free to tell her. It’s very unlikely that she’ll have a problem picking a new nickname for you, and she'll probably understand where you’re coming from if you approach the conversation politely.[9]XResearch source
You might just say, “Hey, I love that you’re so affectionate with me, but I’m not the biggest fan of you calling me daddy. I know you mean well, and it’s sweet, but it’s not for me. Any way you could find a new pet name for me?”
Always use "I" language when addressing a conflict with your partner. That helps prevent them from feeling defensive.[10]X Expert Source Tara Vossenkemper, PhD, LPCLicensed Professional CounselorExpert Interview
If she’s doing it ironically because it makes you uncomfortable and this is a kind of running joke between you two, you can fight fire with fire by calling her “daughter” or “son.” That might be good for a laugh and get her to cut it out.
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Question Should you break up with a guy who doesn't like being called Daddy? Seems like he's limiting affection. Nico Top Answerer No! He might just be uncomfortable with being called daddy, but if he's a good partner, you shouldn't break up with him just for that. Try giving him another pet name or create one that he's comfortable with. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 60
Question Is is okay to call her Daddy back? DiamondWarrior649 Top Answerer Probably not. Go ahead and go with "baby" or "babe". Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 34 Helpful 46
Question Sooo... it's also okay to refer to your girlfriend as "Mommy"...? Community Answer It depends on the girl. Some girls do like being called "Mommy." Some don't. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 28
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Some lesbians and nonbinary people might call their dominant partner daddy in a sexual sense. Not just straight women call their boyfriends daddy. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 15
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↑ Tara Vossenkemper, PhD, LPC. Licensed Professional Counselor. Expert Interview
About This Article
Co-authored by: Tara Vossenkemper, PhD, LPC Licensed Professional Counselor This article was co-authored by Tara Vossenkemper, PhD, LPC and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Dr. Tara Vossenkemper is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Founder and Managing Director of The Counseling Hub, LLC, a group counseling practice located in Columbia, Missouri. She is also the Founder of and a Business Consultant with Tara Vossenkemper Consulting, LLC, a consulting service for therapy practice owners. With over twelve years of experience, she specializes in using the Gottman Method of relationship therapy with couples on the brink of divorce, who have conflict, or who feel disconnected from one another. Dr. Vossenkemper holds a BA in Psychology from The University of Missouri, Saint Louis, an MA in Counseling from Missouri Baptist University, and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from The University of Missouri, Saint Louis. She has also completed Level 3 training in the Gottman Method Couples Therapy approach and has been formally trained in both the Prepare-Enrich Premarital Couples Counseling approach and the PREP Approach for couples counseling. This article has been viewed 372,226 times. 79 votes - 70% Co-authors: 6Updated: May 25, 2024 Views: 372,226 Categories: Relationships In other languages German Spanish Dutch French Thai Hindi Turkish Japanese
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Yes No Did this article help you? Say thanks with a small tip. $1 $3 $5 Leave a Tip Support our mission to help everyone in the world learn how to do anything. Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Tara Vossenkemper, PhD, LPC Licensed Professional Counselor 79 votes - 70% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 6Updated: May 25, 2024 Views: 372,226
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Download Article Discover why she calls you “daddy” & whether it’s a red flag Co-authored by Tara Vossenkemper, PhD, LPC and Eric McClure 
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Co-authored by: Tara Vossenkemper, PhD, LPC Licensed Professional Counselor This article was co-authored by Tara Vossenkemper, PhD, LPC and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Dr. Tara Vossenkemper is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Founder and Managing Director of The Counseling Hub, LLC, a group counseling practice located in Columbia, Missouri. She is also the Founder of and a Business Consultant with Tara Vossenkemper Consulting, LLC, a consulting service for therapy practice owners. With over twelve years of experience, she specializes in using the Gottman Method of relationship therapy with couples on the brink of divorce, who have conflict, or who feel disconnected from one another. Dr. Vossenkemper holds a BA in Psychology from The University of Missouri, Saint Louis, an MA in Counseling from Missouri Baptist University, and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from The University of Missouri, Saint Louis. She has also completed Level 3 training in the Gottman Method Couples Therapy approach and has been formally trained in both the Prepare-Enrich Premarital Couples Counseling approach and the PREP Approach for couples counseling. This article has been viewed 372,226 times. 79 votes - 70% Co-authors: 6 Updated: May 25, 2024 Views: 372,226 Categories: Relationships In other languages German Spanish Dutch French Thai Hindi Turkish Japanese 
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1 She likes you and feels safe around you. Generally speaking, dads tend to be caring, loving, and protective. Calling you “daddy” implies that you’re all of these things for her! It’s a good thing, and she’s doing this because she’s comfortable around you, so don’t assume there’s something problematic going on here. She’s not literally saying you’re her father![1] 
2 She likes how strong and authoritative you are. Regardless of whether it’s true or not, dads have a stereotype for being the “stronger” parent in a hetero-normative relationship. Dads are also known for being “tougher” on children than mothers are. She may be calling you daddy to signal that she thinks you’re the dominant person in the relationship, which probably appeals to her.[2] 
3 It might turn her on. If she says this when the two of you are getting intimate, it's probably a turn-on for her. A lot of people like it when their partner is in charge in bed. If she likes it when you take the lead, she might like being more submissive when you're hooking up.[3] Advertisement 
1 Nope, it shouldn’t be anything to worry about. "Daddy" is becoming more and more common of a pet name, and it's not unusual for women to use it to refer to their partners. There’s a cliché out there that women who call their partner “daddy” have daddy issues, but that’s really not necessarily the case. A lot of women just like it as a pet name![4] 
2 Your girlfriend calling you "daddy” might be a green flag if you think about it! A lot of people feel like a hero when they “protect” their girlfriend, and one of a dad’s main responsibilities is to protect their children. If your girlfriend calls you daddy, she’s signaling that you’re keeping her safe and happy. From that perspective, the fact that she’s trying to make you feel good about protecting her is a sign that she really cares about you.[5] 
3 The use of pet names in general is considered a good sign in a relationship. Professional therapists, counselors, and psychologists all generally agree that pet names are a sign of a healthy, functional relationship.[6] While your girlfriend’s choice in the pet name department may strike you as odd, it’s a good sign that she’s using them at all.[7] 
“Babe” and “baby” are both safe options. "Babe" and "baby" are popular pet names for couples, and they can be used to lean into the dominant/submissive aspect of a relationship if you're into it (even if you're not, they're still a safe bet!). You could also go with something like “cutie” or “sweetie” if you prefer.[8] 
If you don’t like “daddy,” ask her to pick a new nickname. If you don’t like it when she calls you daddy, feel free to tell her. It’s very unlikely that she’ll have a problem picking a new nickname for you, and she'll probably understand where you’re coming from if you approach the conversation politely.[9] 
Nico Top Answerer No! He might just be uncomfortable with being called daddy, but if he's a good partner, you shouldn't break up with him just for that. Try giving him another pet name or create one that he's comfortable with. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 60 
DiamondWarrior649 Top Answerer Probably not. Go ahead and go with "baby" or "babe". Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 34 Helpful 46 
Community Answer It depends on the girl. Some girls do like being called "Mommy." Some don't. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 28