At least that's how VIZ translated it.

of the same sex--hence continued uses of the names. (Ranma still thinks 
of Ucchan, to a greater or lesser extent, as a boy, and treats and names 
her accordingly.)

Told you all so! I told you all so! ^_^

   The point is, Ranma wasn't being too original. He isn't that bright. :)
   (Keep in mind, Mr. Biles, that at first Viz translated "Ranchan" as 
"Ranma honey." It not only sounded horrible, but "Ranchan" means no such 
thing, and I personally complained to the translator by e-mail. I can't 
have been the only one to complain, for it was changed back to "Ranchan" 
in short order.

I told one of the translators that 'Ranma honey' not only sounded stupid,
but it didn't fit, otherwise Ranma would have to call Ukyou 'Ukyou honey'
and said a number of other things about that, mostly being 'Kun-chan
doesn't like this *sniffle*' ^_^  Then I got a reply saying 'I'll see
what I can do to get it changed'... And it WAS changed, and I got 'There,
it's changed.... maybe not *all* the time it will be 'Ran-chan', but
there you go.' Waiwai! ^_^

Kun-chan...