It doesn't seem all that common around these parts. I have always called my current player "Lucille" ala BB King... Not too original but it's what I have done since I was like 19 and started playing... I also have the butt of an old sneaky that was made from a valley 1 piece I keep in the car that I call "Thumper"... I am such the Bambi fan you know.......
I do name cues for my opponents on occasion... A friend of mine had a jump cue made for him that I refer to as "White Man"...
I might refer to your cue as "Sting" or "U2" and point out the album Choke Rattle and Dump as a great next project....
I may suggest "Stevie" or "Ray" if you miss something pretty badly and suggest a red ferrule....
Of course the worst one would be when I tell you to call your cue "Juice" after you miss a cut.. That one always gets the... Juice??? with a funny look and I get to explain that OJ was innocent of cutting anything too....
All fun stuff LOL