‘My Ball’ Is TikTok’s New Favorite Nickname — Here’s What It Means

You may have heard it on Love Island — or in your living room. From your teen or on social media. But chances are, you have heard Gen Z’s latest slang term: “my ball.” This viral TikTok nickname trend is everywhere right now, and while it’s origins might be murky, it’s meaning is fairly straightforward.

‘My Ball’ Is a Term of Endearment

Like “babe,” “boo-thang,” and “bae,” “ball” or “my ball” is a term of endearment. It basically just means, “that’s my girl.” It was popularized by rapper DDG during his Twitch streams. In a video clip, DDG explains what “my ball” means, per Parents: “I would like to write a declaration in the lingo dictionary that this is not a disrespectful term,” he said. “The synonym is not b*tch, it’s saying my woman, my beautiful woman. Ball is an acronym for ‘beautiful-a** little lady.’” He’s also said it stands for “beautiful aura lovely lady.” (Now he has a song out called “That’s My Ball.”)

Using “my ball” has spread from there, including teens on TikTok using it and even men on Love Island calling girls their “ball” or asking for “my ball back.” Unlike girl or babe, though, “ball” has a specific connotation that the person can be “played with” or “passed around” or “collected,” which means it may not be as sweet as DDG says.

It’s a Reflection of Gen Z Dating Culture

The “my ball” trend is just another iteration of the larger Gen Z dating culture that shies away from commitment. (A guy will ask you to be his “ball” but not his “girlfriend.”) Just look at Love Island, a show supposedly about finding love but really about hooking up, becoming TikTok famous, and “clip farming” to look cool online even while sacrificing real relationships to do it.

Situationships are becoming more common, with two people “talking” or “hanging out,” even exclusively, but not being anything more serious than that. Teens are acting nonchalant and cool, like they don’t care about anything, and that extends to dating.

Dr. Caroline Fenkel, LCSW, DSW, Chief Clinical Officer and Co-Founder at Charlie Health, previously told SheKnows, “Nonchalance as a trend among teens is deeply rooted in the current culture of detachment and self-preservation. For many teens, appearing unbothered or ‘effortlessly cool’ signals emotional resilience and self-sufficiency in a world that often feels hyper-visible and judgmental, primarily through social media.”

“I think it’s essential for parents to recognize that nonchalance isn’t always just a personality trait — sometimes it’s a defense mechanism,” Dr. Fenkel added. “Teens are navigating complex social environments that are more visible and scrutinized than ever before. Encouraging open conversations about feelings and providing consistent support can help them feel safe enough to express vulnerability.”

Maybe then, will Gen Z be able to go from playing with balls to actually, genuinely falling in love.

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