We have two cats and a dog. I laughed when I read your post, because yes - we've done this with our pets and family members. I think it shows our love. I have a cousin nicknamed Boogie because he ate his boogers as a kid, just as an example.
The dog set up homestead first, 7 yrs old, weighs in at 7.5 lbs and is fluent in yappy little dog. Original Name - Fargus. Nicknames: Toe Licker, General Shortpants, Rooster, Mommy's Boy, Cat Food Gourmand, Rat Boy, and Cat Molester (he will hump the big cat).
The first cat is daughter's ward and now dream guardian. He weighs in at 16lbs, 3 yrs old and has a wild look about him. Original Name: Magik, because of the prominent "M" on his forehead. After his first kitten health, neutering visit to the vet, he was very depressed and had to be carried around on a pillow according to my daughter, the cat nurse. His nicknames: Kittyboi, Big Kitty, Belly Licker, Purrito Bandito, and Switty (combo of Sweet-Kitty).
Second cat, less than a year old, is son's stray cat find. Matchstick rib-skinny and riddled with what the vet said was a "academic listing" of cat parasites, he's grown from that dull-straggly coat little sick-eyed thing to a cute little tweener sporting a fluffy, long skunk tail with a small white tip. He distrusts the dog, but loves Big Kitty and will lick Big Kitty's ears while trying to horn in on the cat bed.
Original Name: Mittens. I cringed because we found him this summer during the election and well, Mittens. But soon found he too was a shithead, albeit in a more playful way. He would steal the kitchen sponge (wet and what I thought was kinda heavy for him) and hide them under the son's bed. This happened several times in a row and he was caught red-pawed doing it. We also call him Little Kitty and Skunkie Boy, because he really flits that pretty tail when he wants to flirt. He seems pretty happy most of the time and is a goofy clown, like his guardian.
We have love enough for all of them. 
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