For Spanish speakers, nicknames (or ‘apodos’) are more than just shortened versions of names – they're a way to show affection, familiarity, and connection. Whether you're addressing a loved one, a close friend, or even a pet, using the right Spanish nickname can make you sound like a true native speaker.
From the classic "mi amor" (my love) to more playful options like "gordito/a" (little chubby one), Spanish nicknames are a common way to add warmth and endearment to your conversations. In this guide, we'll explore some of the most popular Spanish nicknames used across Latin America and Spain, helping you navigate the nuances of when and how to use them.
You'll learn Spanish nicknames for parents, significant others, friends, and even pets, giving you a well-rounded understanding of how these terms of endearment are used in different contexts.
As I’ve mentioned already, nicknames in Spanish mean ‘apodos’ and you will learn the most popular for different situations.
When it comes to expressing love and affection in the Spanish language, romantic nicknames play a crucial role in adding warmth and intimacy to your conversations.
1. Cielo (see-EH-loh) - Sky
2. Tesoro (teh-SOH-roh) - Treasure
3. Amor (ah-MOHR) - Love
4. Querido/a (keh-REE-doh/dah) - Dear
5. Corazón (koh-rah-THOHN) - Heart
6. Ángel (AHN-hel) - Angel
7. Estrella (ess-TREH-yah) - Star
8. Pajarito/a (pah-hah-REE-toh/tah) - Little bird
9. Dulzura (dool-SOO-rah) - Sweetness
10. Chiquitín/a (chee-kee-TEEN/teen-ah) - Little one
When expressing love and affection to your male partner, Spanish offers a variety of sweet and romantic nicknames:
1. Mi Rey (mee rey) - My king
2. Mi Amado (mee ah-mah-doh) - My beloved
3. Mi Cielito (mee see-EH-lee-toh) - My little sky
4. Mi Tesoro (mee teh-SOH-roh) - My treasure
5. Mi Vida (mee VEE-dah) - My life
6. Mi Sol (mee sohl) - My sun
7. Mi Corazón (mee koh-rah-THOHN) - My heart
8. Mi Príncipe (mee PREEN-see-peh) - My prince
9. Mi Ángel (mee AHN-hel) - My angel
10. Mi Todo (mee TOH-doh) - My everything
To show your appreciation for your female significant other, try using one of these adorable Spanish nicknames.
1. Mi Reina (mee REY-nah) - My queen
2. Mi Amada (mee ah-MAH-dah) - My beloved
3. Mi Preciosa (mee preh-see-OH-sah) - My precious
4. Mi Estrella (mee ess-TREH-yah) - My star
5. Mi Tesoro (mee teh-SOH-roh) - My treasure
6. Mi Mariposa (mee mah-ree-POH-sah) - My butterfly
7. Mi Perla (mee PEHR-lah) - My pearl
8. Mi Flor (mee floor) - My flower
9. Mi Cariño (mee kah-REE-nyoh) - My darling
10. Mi Princesa (mee preen-SEH-sah) - My princess
Family bonds are strong in Spanish culture, and nicknames play a role in fostering closeness between relatives.
1. Papito/Mamita (pah-PEE-toh/mah-MEE-tah) - Daddy/Mommy
2. Abue/Abuelito/Abuelita (ah-BWEH/ah-BWEH-lee-toh/ah-BWEH-lee-tah) - Grandpa/Granddad/Grandma
3. Tío/Tía (TEE-oh/TEE-ah) - Uncle/Aunt
4. Primo/Prima (PREE-moh/PREE-mah) - Cousin (male/female)
5. Hermanito/Hermanita (ehr-mah-NEE-toh/ehr-mah-NEE-tah) - Little brother/Little sister
6. Sobrino/Sobrina (soh-BREE-noh/soh-BREE-nah) - Nephew/Niece
7. Suegro/Suegra (SWEH-groh/SWEH-grah) - Father-in-law/Mother-in-law
8. Cuñado/Cuñada (koo-NYAH-doh/koo-NYAH-dah) - Brother-in-law/Sister-in-law
9. Primo segundo/Prima segunda (PREE-moh say-GOON-doh/PREE-mah say-GOON-dah) - Second cousin (male/female)
10. Hermanastro/Hermanastra (ehr-mah-NAHS-troh/ehr-mah-NAHS-trah) - Stepbrother/Stepsister
11. Nieto/Nieta (nee-EH-toh/nee-EH-tah) - Grandson/Granddaughter
12. Bisabuelo/Bisabuela (bee-sah-BWEH-loh/bee-sah-BWEH-lah) - Great-grandfather/Great-grandmother
13. Tatarabuelo/Tatarabuela (tah-tah-rah-BWEH-loh/tah-tah-rah-BWEH-lah) - Great-great-grandfather/Great-great-grandmother
14. Primo hermano/Prima hermana (PREE-moh ehr-MAH-noh/PREE-mah ehr-MAH-nah) - First cousin (male/female)
15. Yerno/Nuera (YER-noh/NWEH-rah) - Son-in-law/Daughter-in-law
16. Bisnieto/Bisnieta (bees-NYE-toh/bees-NYE-tah) - Great-grandson/Great-granddaughter
17. Cuñado político/Cuñada política (koo-NYAH-doh poh-LEE-tee-koh/koo-NYAH-dah poh-LEE-tee-kah) - Brother-in-law (by marriage)/Sister-in-law (by marriage)
18. Tío abuelo/Tía abuela (TEE-oh ah-BWEH-loh/TEE-ah ah-BWEH-lah) - Great-uncle/Great-aunt
19. Madrasta (mah-DRAHS-tah) - Stepmother
20. Padrastra (pah-DRAHS-trah) - Stepfather
For a more casual, friendly way to address guys in Spanish, consider using one of these cool, colloquial nicknames.
1. Campeón (kahm-peh-ON) - Champion
2. Tigre (TEE-greh) - Tiger
3. Jefe (HEH-feh) - Boss
4. Guerrero (geh-reh-roh) - Warrior
5. Máquina (MAH-kee-nah) - Machine
6. Fiera (fee-EH-rah) - Beast
7. Rey de la pista (rey deh lah PEES-tah) - King of the track
8. Astuto (ah-STOO-toh) - Sly
9. Maestro (mah-EHS-troh) - Master
10. Galán (gah-LAHN) - Heartthrob
11. Chulo (CHOO-loh) - Cool guy
12. Lobo (LOH-boh) - Wolf
13. Bombero (bohm-BEH-roh) - Firefighter (implies bravery)
14. Capitán (kah-pee-TAHN) - Captain
15. Rey del baile (rey del BY-leh) - King of the dance floor
16. Magnífico (mahg-NEE-fee-koh) - Magnificent
17. Súperhéroe (SOO-pehr-eh-ROH-eh) - Superhero
18. Relámpago (reh-LAHM-pah-goh) - Lightning
19. Diamante (dee-ah-MAHN-teh) - Diamond
20. Luchador (loo-chah-DOHR) - Fighter
Spanish has a rich tradition of using humorous and playful nicknames, often derived from physical characteristics or personality traits.
1. Cabezón (kah-beh-ZON) - Big head
2. Dormilón (dor-mee-LOHN) - Sleepyhead
3. Caramelito (kah-reh-lah-MEE-toh) - Little caramel
4. Risitas (ree-SEE-tahs) - Giggles
5. Mocoso (moh-KOH-soh) - Snotty
6. Cachetes (kah-CHEH-tehs) - Chubby cheeks
7. Tripón (tree-POHN) - Big eater
8. Barrigón (bah-ree-GOHN) - Big belly
9. Chiquitín (chee-kee-TEEN) - Little one
10. Orejotas (oh-reh-HOH-tahs) - Big ears
From affectionate diminutives to creative wordplay, Spanish offers an array of adorable nicknames to express endearment.
1. Osito (oh-SEE-toh) - Little bear
2. Gatito (gah-TEE-toh) - Little cat
3. Cielito (see-EH-lee-toh) - Little sky
4. Tesorito (teh-soh-REE-toh) - Little treasure
5. Estrellita (ess-treh-YEE-tah) - Little star
6. Corazoncito (koh-rah-sohn-SEE-toh) - Little heart
7. Dulcecito (dool-seh-SEE-toh) - Little sweetie
8. Angelito (ahn-heh-LEE-toh) - Little angel
9. Florcita (floor-SEE-tah) - Little flower
10. Mariposita (mah-ree-poh-SEE-tah) - Little butterfly
While sharing some commonalities, the Spanish nicknames used in Spain can have distinct regional variations and origins.
1. Guapo/Guapa (GWAH-poh/GWAH-pah) - Handsome/Beautiful
2. Cariño (kah-REE-nyoh) - Sweetheart
3. Amigo/Amiga (ah-MEE-goh/ah-MEE-gah) - Friend
4. Jefe/Jefa (HEH-feh/HEH-fah) - Boss
5. Campeón/Campeona (kahm-peh-ON/kahm-peh-OH-nah) - Champion
6. Primo/Prima (PREE-moh/PREE-mah) - Cousin (male/female)
7. Maestro/Maestra (mah-EHS-troh/mah-EHS-trah) - Master/Teacher
8. Vecino/Vecina (veh-SEE-noh/veh-SEE-nah) - Neighbor
9. Compañero/Compañera (kohm-pah-NYEH-roh/kohm-pah-NYEH-rah) - Companion
10. Pelirrojo/Pelirroja (peh-lee-RROH-hoh/peh-lee-RROH-hah) - Redhead (male/female)
Mexican Spanish is known for its colorful and inventive nicknames, reflecting the country's vibrant culture and linguistic diversity.
1. Güero/Güera (GWEH-roh/GWEH-rah) - Person
2. Chaparro/Chaparra (chah-PAH-roh/chah-PAH-rah) - Shorty
3. Chilango (chee-LAHN-goh) - Someone from Mexico City
4. Carnal (KAHR-nahl) - Brother (used colloquially for close friends)
5. Comadre/Compadre (koh-MAH-dreh/kohm-PAH-dreh) - Godmother/Godfather (also used informally for close friends)
6. Wey/Güey (WEH-ee/GWEH-ee) - Dude
7. Naco/Naca (NAH-koh/NAH-kah) - Peasant or unsophisticated person
8. Chavo/Chava (CHAH-voh/CHAH-vah) - Guy/Girl (used informally to refer to young people)
9. Morro (MOH-roh) - Kid or youngster
10. Fresa (FREH-sah) - Snob or someone who acts posh
Argentine Spanish has its own unique set of nicknames, influenced by the country's European heritage and local slang.
1. Che (CHEH) - Hey/Hey there
2. Porteño/Porteña (por-TEH-nyoh/por-TEH-nyah) - Someone from Buenos Aires
3. Boludo/Boluda (boh-LOO-doh/boh-LOO-dah) - Dude (can also mean idiot but is commonly used affectionately)
4. Loco/Loca (LOH-koh/LOH-kah) - Crazy/Crazy person
5. Cheíto/Cheíta (cheh-EE-toh/cheh-EE-tah) - Small or little (often used as a term of endearment)
6. Morocho/Morocha (moh-ROH-choh/moh-ROH-chah) - Brunette (male/female)
7. Piola (pee-OH-lah) - Cool or laid-back
8. Querido/Querida (keh-REE-doh/keh-REE-dah) - Dear
9. Gurí (goo-REE) - Kid (especially in the northern regions of Argentina)
10. Laburante (lah-boo-RAHN-teh) - Worker or hard worker
Colombian Spanish features a rich variety of nicknames, shaped by the nation's diverse regional dialects and indigenous influences.
1. Paisa (PAI-sah) - Someone from the Paisa region of Colombia (Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío)
2. Costeño/Costeña (kohs-TEH-nyoh/kohs-TEH-nyah) - Someone from the coast (Caribbean region) of Colombia
3. Caleño/Caleña (kah-LEH-nyoh/kah-LEH-nyah) - Someone from Cali
4. Rolo/Rola (ROH-loh/ROH-lah) - Someone from Bogotá
5. Llanero/Llanera (yah-NEH-roh/yah-NEH-rah) - Someone from the Llanos region (plains) of Colombia
6. Boyacense (boh-yah-SEN-seh) - Someone from Boyacá
7. Santandereano/Santandereana (sahn-tahn-deh-reh-AH-noh/sahn-tahn-deh-reh-AH-nah) - Someone from Santander
8. Opita (oh-PEE-tah) - Someone from the Huila region
9. Cafetero/Cafetera (kah-feh-TEH-roh/kah-feh-TEH-rah) - Someone from the Coffee Axis region (Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda)
10. Vallecaucano/Vallecaucana (vah-yeh-kah-OH-kah-noh/vah-yeh-kah-OH-kah-nah) - Someone from the Valle del Cauca department
Peruvian Spanish boasts a fascinating array of nicknames, reflecting the country's multicultural heritage and linguistic traditions.
1. Limeño/Limeña (lee-MEH-nyoh/lee-MEH-nyah) - Someone from Lima
2. Cholo/Chola (CHOH-loh/CHOH-lah) - A person of mixed Indigenous and European ancestry
3. Arequipeño/Arequipeña (ah-reh-keh-PEH-nyoh/ah-reh-keh-PEH-nyah) - Someone from Arequipa
4. Cusqueño/Cusqueña (koos-KEH-nyoh/koos-KEH-nyah) - Someone from Cusco
5. Chalaco/Chalaca (chah-LAH-koh/chah-LAH-kah) - Someone from the port city of Callao or the coast of Lima
6. Huancaino/Huancaina (hwan-kai-EE-noh/hwan-kai-EE-nah) - Someone from Huancayo
7. Pucallpino/Pucallpina (poo-kah-YEE-noh/poo-kah-YEE-nah) - Someone from Pucallpa
8. Trujillano/Trujillana (troo-HEE-yah-noh/troo-HEE-yah-nah) - Someone from Trujillo
9. Piurano/Piurana (pee-oo-RAH-noh/pee-oo-RAH-nah) - Someone from Piura
10. Iquiteño/Iquiteña (ee-kee-TEH-nyoh/ee-kee-TEH-nyah) - Someone from Iquitos
The nicknames used in Dominican Spanish are often lively and playful, reflecting the island nation's vibrant culture and Caribbean influences.
1. Quisqueyano/Quisqueyana (kees-keh-YAH-noh/kees-keh-YAH-nah) - Someone from the Dominican Republic (Quisqueya is an indigenous name for the island of Hispaniola)
2. Dominicano/Dominicana (doh-mee-NEE-kah-noh/doh-mee-NEE-kah-nah) - Dominican (used to refer to someone from the Dominican Republic)
3. Cibaeño/Cibaeña (see-bah-EH-nyoh/see-bah-EH-nyah) - Someone from the Cibao region of the Dominican Republic
4. Sureño/Sureña (soo-REH-nyoh/soo-REH-nyah) - Someone from the southern region of the Dominican Republic
5. Capitaleño/Capitaleña (kah-pee-tah-LEH-nyoh/kah-pee-tah-LEH-nyah) - Someone from Santo Domingo, the capital city
6. Barahonero/Barahonera (bah-rah-oh-NEH-roh/bah-rah-oh-NEH-rah) - Someone from Barahona
7. Samanense (sah-mah-NEN-seh) - Someone from Samaná
8. Vegano/Vegana (veh-GAH-noh/veh-GAH-nah) - Someone from La Vega
9. Romano/Romana (roh-MAH-noh/roh-MAH-nah) - Someone from La Romana
10. Bonaoense (boh-now-EN-seh) - Someone from Bonao
Guatemalan Spanish has developed its own unique set of nicknames, influenced by the country's indigenous languages and cultural traditions.
1. Chapín/Chapina (chah-PEEN/chah-PEE-nah) - Someone from Guatemala
2. Guatemalteco/Guatemalteca (gwah-teh-mahl-TEH-koh/gwah-teh-mahl-TEH-kah) - Guatemalan (used to refer to someone from Guatemala)
3. Quetzalteco/Quetzalteca (keht-sahl-TEH-koh/keht-sahl-TEH-kah) - Someone from Quetzaltenango
4. Xela (SHEH-lah) - Nickname for Quetzaltenango, the second largest city in Guatemala
5. Cakchiquel (kahk-CHEE-kel) - Member of the indigenous Cakchiquel ethnic group
6. Tecún/Tecúna (teh-KOON/teh-KOO-nah) - Common name among indigenous people, derived from Tecún Umán, a legendary Mayan warrior
7. Cobán (koh-BAHN) - Nickname for the city of Cobán, the largest city in the Alta Verapaz department
8. Chimalteco/Chimalteca (chee-mahl-TEH-koh/chee-mahl-TEH-kah) - Someone from Chimaltenango
9. Petenero/Petenera (peh-teh-NEH-roh/peh-teh-NEH-rah) - Someone from Petén
10. Antigueño/Antigueña (ahn-tee-GEH-nyoh/ahn-tee-GEH-nyah) - Someone from Antigua Guatemala
While some Spanish nicknames like Pepe and Paco are well-known, there are countless others derived from given names, each with its own story and regional variations.
1. Pepito (peh-PEE-toh) - Little Pepe (nickname for José)
2. Juanito (hwah-NEE-toh) - Little Juan (nickname for Juan)
3. Lulú (loo-LOO) - Short for Lucía or Luisa
4. Chiqui (CHEE-kee) - Little one (used as a diminutive for various names like Ana, Carlos, or María)
5. Pablito (pah-BLEE-toh) - Little Pablo (nickname for Pablo)
6. Carmencita (kahr-men-SEE-tah) - Little Carmen (nickname for Carmen)
7. Tonito (toh-NEE-toh) - Little Tony (nickname for Antonio)
8. Marinita (mah-ree-NEE-tah) - Little Marina (nickname for Marina)
9. Nachito (nah-CHEE-toh) - Little Nacho (nickname for Ignacio)
10. Martita (mahr-TEE-tah) - Little Marta (nickname for Marta)
11. Manolito (mah-noh-LEE-toh) - Little Manolo (nickname for Manuel)
12. Rosita (roh-SEE-tah) - Little Rosa (nickname for Rosa)
13. Pepe (PEH-peh) - Nickname for José
14. Juancito (hwahn-SEE-toh) - Little Juan (nickname for Juan)
15. Lucho (LOO-choh) - Short for Luis or Lucio
16. Panchito (PAN-chee-toh) - Little Pancho (nickname for Francisco)
17. Gabi (GAH-bee) - Short for Gabriel or Gabriela
18. Conchita (kohn-CHEE-tah) - Little Concha (nickname for Concepción)
19. Tito (TEE-toh) - Nickname for Alberto or Tito
20. Chelo (CHEH-loh) - Short for Consuelo or Marcelo
21. Juancho (hwahn-choh) - Diminutive form of Juan
22. Anita (ah-NEE-tah) - Diminutive form of Ana
23. Paco (PAH-koh) - Nickname for Francisco
24. Carmelo (kahr-MEH-loh) - Little Carmen (nickname for Carmen)
25. Licha (LEE-chah) - Short for Alicia or Felicia
26. Manuela (mah-NEW-eh-lah) - Little Manuel (nickname for Manuel)
27. Charo (CHAH-roh) - Short for Rosario
28. Lolo (LOH-loh) - Diminutive form of names like Dolores or Manuel
29. Tita (TEE-tah) - Short for names like Marta or Felicitas
30. Mili (MEE-lee) - Short for Milagros or Emilia
Spanish-speaking cities around the world are frequently given nicknames by locals and visitors.
1. CDMX (say-deh-eh-MEH-eks) - Abbreviation for Ciudad de México (Mexico City)
2. La Perla del Sur (lah PEHR-lah del soor) - The Pearl of the South (nickname for Arequipa, Peru)
3. La Ciudad de las Flores (lah see-oo-DAHD deh lahs FLO-res) - The City of Flowers (nickname for Córdoba, Argentina)
4. La Ciudad Blanca (lah see-oo-DAHD BLAHN-kah) - The White City (nickname for Arequipa, Peru)
5. La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera (lah see-oo-DAHD deh lah eh-TEHR-nah pree-mah-VEH-rah) - The City of Eternal Spring (nickname for Cuernavaca, Mexico)
6. La Sultana del Norte (lah sool-TAH-nah del NOR-teh) - The Sultaness of the North (nickname for Monterrey, Mexico)
7. La Ciudad de las Siete Colinas (lah see-oo-DAHD deh lahs SYEH-teh koh-LEE-nahs) - The City of Seven Hills (nickname for Lisbon, Portugal)
8. La Capital del Sol (lah kah-pee-TAHL del sol) - The Sun Capital (nickname for Lima, Peru)
9. La Ciudad Heroica (lah see-oo-DAHD eh-roh-EE-kah) - The Heroic City (nickname for Puebla, Mexico)
10. La Ciudad de las Torres (lah see-oo-DAHD deh lahs TOHR-rehs) - The City of Towers (nickname for Madrid, Spain)
11. La Ciudad de las Tres Culturas (lah see-oo-DAHD deh lahs tres kool-TOO-rahs) - The City of Three Cultures (nickname for Toledo, Spain)
12. La Ciudad de las Luces (lah see-oo-DAHD deh lahs LWEES-ehs) - The City of Lights (nickname for Paris, France)
13. La Ciudad Condal (lah see-oo-DAHD kohn-DAHL) - The Count's City (nickname for Barcelona, Spain)
14. La Ciudad de la Furia (lah see-oo-DAHD deh lah FOO-ree-ah) - The City of Fury (nickname for Buenos Aires, Argentina)
15. La Reina del Plata (lah REY-nah del PLAH-tah) - The Queen of the Silver River (nickname for Buenos Aires, Argentina)
16. La Ciudad Imperial (lah see-oo-DAHD eem-peh-REE-ahl) - The Imperial City (nickname for Cusco, Peru)
17. La Ciudad de los Reyes (lah see-oo-DAHD deh lohs REH-yes) - The City of Kings (nickname for Lima, Peru)
18. La Ciudad Eterna (lah see-oo-DAHD eh-TEHR-nah) - The Eternal City (nickname for Rome, Italy)
19. La Ciudad de los Palacios (lah see-oo-DAHD deh lohs pah-LAH-syohs) - The City of Palaces (nickname for Mexico City, Mexico)
20. La Ciudad de las Maravillas (lah see-oo-DAHD deh lahs mah-rah-VEE-yahs) - The City of Wonders (nickname for Istanbul, Turkey)
Mastering Spanish nicknames is a fun way to truly connect with the language and culture. By using these affectionate terms, you'll sound more like a native speaker and show appreciation for the warmth of Spanish communities.
Remember, context is key when using nicknames. Some are for close friends and family, while others are better for romantic partners or even strangers. Don't be afraid to ask native speakers for guidance on when and how to properly use them.
Learning nicknames like "mi amor," "gordito/a," and more will add a personal touch to your Spanish conversations. Embrace these terms of endearment as you continue your language journey - they'll help you bond with Spanish speakers on a deeper level.
