Every uncle needs a cool nickname that both the kids and parents can enjoy through the years. There are tons of options to choose from depending on the name and your style so let’s look through some of the best names to call your uncle.
There are many options for uncle nicknames and most include a variation of the word uncle, a shortening of the first name, or a funny version of their name. Non-English nicknames can bring flair and fit your family’s heritage.
All uncles are a little different so there won’t be any one-size-fits-all nickname that we can choose that will be perfect for everyone. But, there are some great, non-mainstream options that you might not have heard of.
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Classic uncle names
If you want to keep things a little more traditional or just aren’t sure what else you might like to choose, then you can’t really go wrong with a more classic uncle name.
These are basically variations of the word ‘uncle’ and there has been no shortage of family members using these over the years.
- Unk
- Unks
- Unkie
- Unky
- Unko
- Uncie
- Uncle X (with the first letter of their first name)
- Bud
- Buddy
Interesting uncle names from history
Over the years, English has changed and morphed into the modern version that we know today.
If you were using Old English in the past, there were different versions of the title ‘uncle’ depending on your specific relationship and bloodlines. While they might not be used much today, they are pretty interesting!
- Fœdra – Your father’s brother
- Eam – Your mother’s brother
If the uncle in question is a Shakespearean or Old English scholar, these seem like a winner.
Uncle nicknames from other languages
Your family history and background might include some awesome options from your country of origin. Around the world, families call their uncles all kinds of different things and these names are often passed down through the older family.
Even if you don’t have a current connection, using one of these other names for your uncle could help reestablish a link to the past.
Plus, there is no rule that you can’t use these names even if you aren’t from the country!
- Oom (Dutch)
- Oncle (French)
- Onkel (German, Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish)
- Zio (Italian)
- Tío (Portuguese or Spanish)
- θείος (Greek)
- Dyadyushka (Russian)
- Strýc (Czech)
- Ewythr (Welsh)
- Uncail (Irish)
- Ojisan (Japanese)
- Apo (Kurdish)
- Unchi (Romanian)
Cute, crazy, or funny uncle names
If you want to get a little more fun or cutesy with your names then you should check out this section.
You can get creative and do your own thing when finding a cute uncle nickname because you are really just looking for a kiddy version of their name or using funny words as a term of endearment.
The best part about using a name like this is that your nieces and nephews can usually say it a bit easier and they can start talking to you ASAP! And you’ll be one step ahead in winning the favorite uncle award.
- Funcle (fun uncle)
- U.C. (Intials of uncle and your first name)
Be careful finding a crazy uncle nickname, however, because sometimes it’s the name you least suspect that will stick forever!
Here are a few cute or funny standalone nicknames that you can use just by adding a word to the beginning. We’ll use the name ‘William’ for example.
- Weird Uncle Will
- Favorite Uncle Will
- Loud Uncle Will
- Mean Uncle Will
- Funny Uncle Will
You can also just make up a name completely that sums up what your uncle is all about:
- Uncle Grumpy
- Uncle Snores
- Uncle Speedy
- Uncle Sleepy
- Uncle Drinky (awkward!)
- Uncle Jailtime (more awkward!)
If you want, you could also turn pretty much any name into a cute uncle’s nickname by shortening their name or repeating part of it. For example, if we are using the name ‘Raymond’ then we could get:
- Uncle Ray
- Uncle Ray Ray
- Uncle Mondy
Here are some more examples of specific names!
Uncle nicknames for Michael
- M
- Mitch
- Michi
- Mick
- Mike
- Mikey
- Mickey
- Micah
Uncle nicknames for Matthew
- M
- Matt
- Matts
- Matty
- Matz
- Mateo
- Mateus
- Mattchu
Uncle nicknames for Christopher
- C
- Chris
- Christer
- Christo
- Christos
- Topher
- Chrizzy
- Crispy
- Criss cross
Uncle nicknames for Jacob
- Jay
- JJ
- Jake
- Jakey
- Jack
- Jack Jack
- Jackie
- Jacko
- Cob
- Coby
- Cobby
- Jacoby
Uncle nicknames for Joshua
- J
- J-man
- Joshy
- Joshue
- Joss
- Shua
- Osh
Uncle nicknames for Nicholas
- N
- Nick
- Nix
- Nicky
- Nico
- Nicko
- Nickel
- Nickels
- Cole
Uncle nicknames for Tyler
- T
- Ty
- Tay
- Tay Tay
- Tiggy
- Tyger
- T-Rex
Uncle nicknames for Brandon
- B
- Bran
- Bran man
- Bran Bran
- Brant
- Brando
- Don
- Donny
- Andy
Uncle nicknames for Daniel
- D
- Dan
- Dan Dan
- Dan-O
- Danny
- Yell
- Dandy
- Dane
- Nano
- Danster
- Dan the man
Uncle nicknames for Austin
- A
- Auss
- Aussie
- Auzzy
- Tin
- Tin Tin
- Tenny
Uncle nicknames for Andrew
- A
- Andy
- Andre
- Drew
- Drewster
- AJ
- Andyrew
Uncle nicknames for Joseph
- J
- Jay Jay
- Joe
- Jody
- Joe Joe
- Joey
- Broseph
- Seph
- Sephy
- Jose
- Josie
Uncle nicknames for John
- J
- Jay Jay
- Jack
- Jacko
- Jacky
- Jock
- Jocko
- Johnny
- John John
- Jimbo
- Onny
Uncle nicknames for Zachary
- Z
- Zee Zee
- Zach
- Zachy
- Zeke
- Ary
- Zachini
- Harry
- Zedd
Uncle nicknames for Ryan
- R
- Rye
- Rye man
- Rye Rye
- Rizza
- Rizzy
- Ryder
- Ry-Fi
- Ru Ru
- Yanny
Uncle nicknames for David
- D
- Dee Dee
- Day Day
- Dave
- Davey
- Avey
- Dave-O
Uncle nicknames for James
- J
- Jay Jay
- Jim
- Jimmy
- Ames
- Jimbo
- Jamesy
Uncle nicknames for Justin
- J
- Jay Jay
- Ju Ju
- Jus
- Just
- Justy
- Justice
- Justino
- Tin
- Tin Tin
- Jubby
Uncle nicknames for Anthony
- A
- Ant
- Ants
- Anty
- Tony
- Nino
- Tito
Uncle nicknames for William
- W
- Dub
- Will
- Willy
- Willis
- Wilson
- Bill
- Billy
- Liam
- Will-I-Am
Uncle nicknames for Alexander
- A
- Al
- Ale
- Alec
- Alex
- Alexi
- Zander
- Zandy
- Sander
- Lex
- Lexy
- Zan
- Andy
Tips for settling on an uncle name
If you’re the uncle choosing a name for your niece or nephew, do let the parents know what you want to go by so they can help you reinforce the decision.
If your name is in any way controversial, run it by your sibling in private. It’s going to be hard to get the name to stick without parental buy-in.
Parents should show the same respect for their siblings and ask what their sibling wants to be called.
And, know that kids repeat what they hear. If their parent calls their brother a nickname or childhood name (or taunt!), the new addition to the family might pick that up as well.
Ultimately, the child will be the final decision-maker. You can push really hard for a cool uncle name, but if the kid can’t say it, they won’t use it!
Conclusion
Finding another name for your uncle is really only limited by your creativity so you can really go any direction that you want. In most cases, uncle nicknames end up being whatever a niece or nephew calls you randomly one day that ends up sticking.
Maybe it’s a variation of your name or maybe it’s something totally off the wall.
Whatever the result, enjoy your cute or funny new name, and enjoy being an uncle!
By the way, I have also written a great resource for aunt nicknames that you can check out here. What’s a cool uncle nickname without a good one for your wife?
