A Vietnamese Nickname?

Question

Hi. I have a family member in Vietnam, and he has a girlfriend. He sometimes addresses her as " Pe' '" "Pe' pi" or "Pe' [name here] " I want to know the English definition of "Pe" & is there a word in English close to it? (accent mark goes over the E, which is why I used an apostrophe since I do not have Vietnamese font on my computer)

Answer 1

I also think it is "bé." It roughly translates to "little one." When it is combined with a name, it's like saying "little [name]." "Bé bi" is likely influenced by Western (namely English) words, like "baby."

Answer 2

I'm American but I spend a lot of time in Vn visiting with my wife and children.

Are you sure it's not Be'? I've never heard Pe' but I sometimes call my wife be'be'.