noun
pet name; nickname; affectionate name
A name used affectionately for someone close, similar to 愛称. Common in casual contexts.
See also: 愛称
彼女は私のことを「くまちゃん」というペットネームで呼ぶ。
She calls me by the pet name 'Kuma-chan'.
Variant with a middle dot, sometimes used for clarity.
愛称 is a more general term for a nickname or term of endearment, while ペットネーム specifically implies an affectionate, often cute name used in personal relationships.
Loanword from English 'pet name'.