My dad had his own nickname for me. He called me "Pasquale." (pass-kwall-ee) He called me that because I learned to speak some Italian from talking to Italian neighbors. I learned the gestures and talked with my hands as well. I don't know where he came up with the name, but he called me Pasquale until he couldn't speak anymore.
I wanted my own nickname for Dad, something that only I was allowed to call him. I was reading an Archie's comic book, Archie called his father 'Pops' so I stole that idea. I told people that he didn't like it so I would be the only one allowed to call him that. I basically lied just so it would be special for only me. 40 years later, it seemed like everyone had adopted calling him Pops. He liked it. He knew it was a nickname he earned out of love and respect.
I'm actually glad that other people used that nickname for him. They could see how much I admired and idolized him. Even strangers called him Pops!
(My aunt Nete was the one who started calling me by my initials, she already had a son named Tommy) Too many Tom's in our family!