The Art of Naming Your Partner in Your Contacts (Without Causing Drama)

The Letter-Removal Breakup Method

Before we dive into the results, let me share a little-known relationship hack that some couples swear by: the letter-removal breakup method. It works like this: every time you fight, you remove one letter from your partner’s name in your phone. For example, if your partner’s name is John, after the first argument, he becomes Joh. After the second, Jo. And so on. Once all the letters are gone, well… let’s just say it’s time to update your dating profile.

Sounds ridiculous, right? But apparently, it’s more common than you’d think. During my impromptu street interviews, I met Sarah, who confessed she once reduced her ex’s name to a single letter before realizing they were headed for disaster. “By the time he became ‘R,’ I knew it was over,” she joked. “Turns out, removing letters is easier than removing him from my life.”

Real-Life Responses

To gather data for this groundbreaking study, I hit the streets and asked random strangers how they save their partners in their phones. Here’s what they said:

Couple Goals

Meet Emily, whose husband is simply listed as “My Prince.” When I asked why, she replied, “Because he literally is my prince charming. No drama, no games, just pure happiness.” Bless her heart; not everyone gets such a fairytale ending.

Nicknames Galore

Then there’s Mike, who calls his wife “Snacks” because, according to him, “She’s delicious and keeps me full.” Awkward pause. “Not literally,” he quickly clarified. Points for creativity, though.

The Passive-Aggressive Crowd

Not everyone is as sweet as Emily and Mike. Take Karen, for instance. Her ex-boyfriend started off as “Steve” but gradually morphed into “S” during their rocky breakup. “It felt therapeutic,” she admitted. “Like I was erasing him bit by bit.”

And then there’s Dave, who saves his girlfriend as “Roommate.” Why? “Because technically, that’s what she is,” he shrugged. Romantic, much?

Creative Masterpieces

Some people take naming conventions to the next level. Rachel lists her fiancé as “CEO of My Heart,” while Jake refers to his wife as “Queen Beyoncé.” These titles might sound excessive, but hey, if it makes them happy, who am I to judge?

The Minimalists

Finally, there are those who prefer simplicity. Tom has his wife saved as “W,” short for “Wife.” Straightforward and efficient—or lazy, depending on how you look at it.

When Things Get Messy

Of course, no discussion about phone contacts would be complete without addressing the elephant in the room: what happens when things go south? Turns out, many people use their contact list as a form of emotional expression.

Take Lisa, for example. She told me about the time she changed her boyfriend’s name to “Ex-Boyfriend” after a particularly nasty breakup. “I couldn’t bring myself to delete him entirely,” she explained. “But I also didn’t want to forget what happened.” Fair enough.

Or consider Mark, who renamed his ex-wife “Mommy Issues” after discovering she had been ghosting him for months. “At least now I know exactly what I’m dealing with,” he quipped.

The Mom Perspective

As a mom of two, I can’t help but wonder how this whole naming thing applies to parenting. Do we ever rename our kids based on their behavior? Probably not, but wouldn’t it be tempting sometimes? Imagine calling your toddler “Tantrum Queen” during a particularly trying phase. Or labeling your teenager “Eye Roll Expert.” Pure gold.

But seriously, whether you’re labeling your partner, your kids, or even your pets, remember this: names carry meaning. They reflect our emotions, our relationships, and sometimes, our sense of humor. So choose wisely—and maybe avoid deleting too many letters unless you’re absolutely sure it’s the end.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, how you save your partner in your phone says a lot about your relationship—and your personality. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic, a creative genius, or a passive-aggressive mastermind, there’s no wrong way to do it. Just don’t forget to update your contact list accordingly if things change. Because nothing screams commitment quite like having someone saved as “Love of My Life” when they’ve already moved on.

Now it’s your turn! Share your own phone book secrets in the comments below. Who knows—you might inspire the next great relationship hack.

P.S.: I decided to take this poll after reading this book.