How do you think up a meaningful nickname for your partner?

I'm trying to think of a personal nickname to give my boyfriend and don't want anything soppy but I really can't think of anything. How did anyone else come up with a nickname for their partner? Any hints on how to come up with something special that's meaningful to you both?|||my brother-in law started calling my sister 'sleepy' after she fell asleep during a board game competition. it's quite cute and not really soppy at all. call him something from a personal time, like that. i simply call my boyfriend 'lovey.'