I might be the only one that doesn't find overused petnames attractive anymore. Instead it lowkey sounds like a provocation now. Like sorry not sorry, "princess" is a total ick. You see that EVERYWHERE and it turn character in a fanfic ooc. Like be fr they will NOT say that. If anyone ever call me that, best believe they're cringe and it's an instant turn off.
Darling is a 50/50. Unless it's country "darlin'" or british "dAHling" others can stfu. Anything that comes with "little", I'm calling the psych ward. Police can't do shit.
"Honey" and "sweetheart" is OKAY. 10/10. Sweet, soft. That's it. Don't change that. "Babe" is also okay. "Baby" doesn't sound as provocative as princess so it's still tolerable because that petname have stayed longer.
Honourable mention would be food related (cupcake, pumpkin, sugar etc). For me it can be as exotic as it wants. Be my guest. However animal related is a no-go, (birdy, lamb, kitten, puppy etc) and I refuse to elaborate. It's just doesn't sit right to me. Unless it's a kink thing ofc. Old timer is my personal favourite; "toots" "snookum", "doll(face)"