Ok so I have a different angle...

My DHs name is Vassilios or Vassilis. It is a greek pronounciation for Basil so maybe you could do something like that? Then you can call him Basil as a pet name and it wont be too much of a stretch iykwim?

Also I tease DH about being called Basil and he hates it because I whistle in the s bit lol...