Dwyane Wade says Gabrielle Union can’t stand being called ‘Gabby’—prefers the family nickname ‘Nickie’

Recently, NBA legend Dwyane Wade revealed a humorous fact about his marriage to actress Gabrielle Union. He disclosed that although the couple frequently expresses their affection for one another on social media, there is one thing that doesn't always make his wife happy: a nickname he enjoys using.

He talked about the same while co-hosting Jenna & Friends on Wednesday. He also shared more insight into his relationship with his wife.

Dwyane Wade says introducing Gabrielle Union to his kids was the biggest step in their relationship

According to Dwyane Wade, his wife, Gabrielle Union, is fiercely against one popular nickname he gave her. He talked about important turning points in his relationship with the actress when he appeared on the July 9 broadcast of Today with Jenna & Friends. During the same, the topic of nicknames came up. Then, talking about their first big step, he said: “Me and Gabby's first big step?...

Oh, I called her ‘Gabby,’ she would not like that. Me and Gab's first big step.”Jenna Bush Hager, co-host, then asked:“Oh you don't call her Gabby?” Then, before he burst up laughing, the NBA icon stated: “No, no, no, no… It's a long story.”

While discussing their "first big step" together, which includes the actress seeing Dwyane Wade's kids, the basketball player revealed to the audience a nickname he is allowed to use for his wife. He clarified that Gabby’s middle name, Monique, is the source of the nickname:“The kids, if you saw the sign that we put up when I proposed to her, it said ‘Nickie,’ and so I kind of introduced her as Nickie.”

He continued:“Okay, her family calls her this and not Gabrielle Union, the actress, that they probably have some previous conversations in that year about her. And so we just tried to go in with that family aspect.” The NBA player also revealed that the most significant action he performed in their relationship was introducing his wife to his kids.

He further discussed his custody dispute with Siohvaughn Funches, his ex-wife, and said:“My kids are so a part of my life and I went through a very public custody battle with my kids as well..

And so they kind of just came with me. It was kind of like, ‘Alright, stepmom.’ She didn’t sign up to be a stepmom when we started dating so it was a little rough early on.” Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union have been married since 2014 and often talk about their relationship in interviews and online. They support each other’s careers and work together on raising their children. Even if the actress doesn’t like being called “Gabby,” it’s clear she and her husband know how to laugh together, and that’s a big part of what makes their love strong.Also read: Udonis Haslem reacts to Dwyane Wade’s emotional reunion with mom Jolinda on NBC special