300+ Spanish Nicknames for Your Friends & Family

If you’re learning Spanish, it’s important to know how people actually speak, not just what’s in your textbook. And nicknames are a common part of everyday language! We interviewed Spanish language experts to compile a list of the most common Spanish nicknames, including those used for romantic partners, family members, friends, and more. Let’s dive in!

Spanish Nicknames for Different Relationships

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A list of Spanish nicknames for different relationships.

Spanish teacher Luis de la Torre says some common Spanish terms of endearment include mi amor (my love), mi vida (my life), and cariño (sweetheart). Try cute and silly nicknames, like burbujita (little bubble) or gusanito (little worm) for kids, or funny nicknames like pulga (flea) for close friends or family members.

Section 1 of 12:

Spanish Terms of Endearment

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Use a romantic term of endearment with your partner. According to de la Torre, there are many Spanish terms of endearment, and many of them are used by romantic partners.^{[1]
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Luis de la Torre
Spanish Teacher

Expert Interview} If you’re looking for a romantic or flirty Spanish nickname, try one of the following:
- Mi amor (my love)^{[2]
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- Bebé (baby)
- Corazón (heart)
- Mi vida (my life)^{[3]
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- Mi cielo (my sky)
- Mi sol (my sun)
- Tesoro (treasure)
- Pastelito (little cake)
- Mi luz (my light)
- Azúcar (sugar)
- Gordi (fattie)
- Mi alma (my soul)
- La luz de mis ojos (the light of my eyes)
- Amorcito (my little love)
- Cariño (sweetheart)^{[4]
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- Cari (sweetheart)
- Cosita (little thing)
- Lindura (cutie)
- Note: Many of these are also great terms of endearment for friends and family. They don’t have to be used in a romantic context.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Luis de la Torre is a Spanish teacher and the founder of ESSLINGUA, an online Spanish language learning platform that offers personalized instruction.

Alejandra Alfonzo is a language instructor who runs her own language tutoring business, Spanish Con Ale. She teaches both Spanish and English and offers private and group classes.

Natalie Mulholland is a name consultant who started creating naming content in 2023. She offers a linguistically focused approach, sharing different names’ meanings and origins.

Section 2 of 12:

Spanish Nicknames for a Boyfriend or Husband

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Give your boyfriend or husband a sweet nickname. When it comes to romantic nicknames, de la Torre says many couples choose highly specific ones.^{[5]
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Luis de la Torre
Spanish Teacher

Expert Interview} Some are silly, some are cute, but no matter what, they reflect the couple’s unique relationship. Here are some great nicknames to call your boyfriend or husband:
- Bonito (pretty)
- Bello (beautiful)
- Guapo (handsome)
- Hermoso (beautiful)
- Angelito (little angel)
- Querido (beloved)
- Precioso (precious)
- Príncipe (prince)
- Rey (king)
- Mi hombre (my man)
- Bombón (marshmallow)
- Papi (daddy)
- Papi chulu (cute daddy)
- Nene (baby)
- Muñeco (doll)
- Chiquitito (little one)
- Gordito (fattie)
- Flaco (skinny)
- Pollito (little chicken)
- Chulo (cutie)
- El ladrón de corazones (heart thief)
- El rompecorazones (heartbreaker)
- El casanova (stud)
- El donjuán (Don Juan, womanizer)
- El conquistador (charming)
- El tigre (tiger)

Section 3 of 12:

Spanish Nicknames for a Girlfriend or Wife

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Sweep your wife or girlfriend off her feet with a romantic nickname. To really make the nickname feel special, choose something that fits her personality. But, you also can’t go wrong with a sweet compliment. Here are some great nicknames for a wife or girlfriend:
- Princesa (princess)
- Bonita (pretty)
- Bella (beautiful)
- Hermosa (beautiful)
- Mi reina (my queen)
- Mamacita (mommy)
- Mami (mommy)
- Preciosa (precious)^{[6]
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- Chula (cutie)
- Guapa (beautiful)
- Linda (pretty)
- Mi sirenita (my mermaid)
- Chiquitita (little one)
- Gordita (fattie)
- Flaca (skinny)
- Pollita (little chicken)
- Nena (baby)
- Muñeca (doll)
- Perla (pearl)
- Querida (beloved)
- Ninfa (nymph)

Section 4 of 12:

Spanish Nicknames for Family Members

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Choose a fun nickname for a close family member. Many Spanish nicknames for family members are shortened versions of the standard word, like “abue” or “lita” from abuelita, or grandmother, notes Spanish language instructor Alejandra Alfonzo.^{[7]
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Alejandra Alfonzo
Spanish Language Instructor

Expert Interview} No matter your relation, check out the following nicknames to find the perfect one for your favorite family member:
- Mami (mommy)
- Papi (daddy)
- Señora (madam; for mothers)
- Señor (sir; for fathers)
- Ma (ma)
- Pa (pa)
- Jefa (boss; for mothers)
- Jefe (boss; for fathers)
- Viejo (senior; for fathers)
- Vieja (senior; for mothers)
- Mis viejos (my old ones; for parents)
- Manito (brother)
- Manita (sister)
- Mano (bro)
- Mana (sis)
- Abue (grandparent)^{[8]
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- Lita (grandmother)^{[9]
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- Mijito (my little child; for boys)
- Mijita (my little child; for girls)
- Muchachito (little person; for younger male family members)
- Muchachita (little person; for younger female family members)
- Polluelos (baby chicks, for children)
- Tío (uncle)
- Tía (aunt)
- Cuñis (sister-in-law)
- Cuñada (sister-in-law)
- Cuñado (brother-in-law)
- Primi (cousin)
- Primo (male cousin)
- Prima (female cousin)

Section 5 of 12:

Spanish Nicknames for Kids

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Give a child a sweet or silly nickname. Whether they’re your own child, a niece or nephew, or another child you’re close to, kids love having nicknames. Make them laugh with a silly one, or show them how much they mean to you with a cute one. Here are some examples:
- Mijo (my son, but can be used with any younger person)
- Mija (my daughter, but can be used with any younger person)
- Mi niño (my boy)
- Mi niña (my girl)
- Nenito (little boy)
- Nenita (little girl)
- Chiquito (small one; for boys)
- Chiquita (small one; for girls)
- Chiquillo (small child; for boys)
- Chiquilla (small child; for girls)
- Chiquitín (little one; for boys)
- Chiquitina (little one; for girls)
- Peque (small one)
- Pequeñita (tiny one)
- Solcito (little sun)
- Ángel (angel)
- Chango (monkey)
- Buqui (child)
- Burbujita (little bubble)
- Gusanito (little worm)
- Guri (teenager; for boys)
- Gurisa (teenager; for girls)

Section 6 of 12:

Spanish Nicknames for Friends

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Give your friend a fun nickname based on their personality. The best nicknames for friends are those that are lighthearted and fun. Keep things simple with chico or chica, or let your friends know how much they mean to you by calling them your brother or sister. Here are some examples:
- Chica (girl; for female friends)
- Chico (boy; for male friends)
- Wey (dude)
- Parcerito (little friend)
- Bro (bro)
- Cuate (twin; for guys)
- Cuata (twin; for girls)
- Carnal (brother; used for close friends)
- Carnala (sister; used for close friends)
- Muchacho (guy)
- Muchacha (girl)
- Tipazo (great guy)
- Tipaza (great girl)
- El galán (slick; for guys)
- El capitán (captain; for guys)
- El macho (male; for guys)
- El patrón (boss; for guys)
- El hulk (the Hulk; for guys)
- El soldado (soldier; for guys)
- El alfa (alpha; for guys)
- Trasto (someone mischievous)
- Colegui (colleague; for coworkers)

Section 7 of 12:

Spanish Nicknames for Pets

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Consider giving your pet a Spanish nickname, too. Let’s face it—a lot of us probably call our pets by a nickname much more than we call them by their actual name. So, why not mix things up and give your pet a Spanish nickname? Here are some popular options:
- Chico (boy, used for male pets)
- Chica (girl, used for female pets)
- Diablito (little devil)
- Perruchis (dog)
- Chanda (dog)
- El guau guau (the woof woof, used for dogs)
- Pulgoso (full of fleas, used for male dogs)
- Pulgosa (full of fleas, used for female dogs)
- Firulais (dog)
- Cachorrito (puppy)
- Michi (cat)
- Miau (meow, used for cats)

Section 8 of 12:

Funny Spanish Nicknames

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Make your loved ones laugh by giving them a funny nickname. Spanish may be a Romance language, but that doesn’t mean all Spanish terms of endearment are romantic; some are downright funny! Try one of these options to tease a close friend or family member:
- Loco (crazy; for men)
- Loca (crazy; for women)
- Papá (father, used with friends)
- Cerebro (brain, used with intelligent people)
- Lengua larga (chatty cathy, used with people who talk a lot)
- Demonio de Tasmania (Tasmanian Devil, used with clumsy or loud people)
- Fiestero (party animal; for men)
- Fiestera (party animal; for women)
- Gallina (chicken, used for people who get scared easily)
- Chismoso (person who loves to gossip; for men)
- Chismosa (person who loves to gossip; for women)
- Sapo (toad; a snitch)
- Pulga (flea; used for someone who is small but energetic)
- Pelón (bald; for men)
- Pelona (bald; for women)
- Frijolito (little bean)

Section 9 of 12:

Cute Spanish Nicknames

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Make your loved ones smile with a cute nickname. There are a lot of Spanish nicknames that sound totally adorable, and many of them can be used for all kinds of relationships. Here are some of the cutest nicknames out there and who you might want to use them with:
- Chispita (little spark; can be used with anyone)
- Dulce (candy; used with partners or close friends)
- Pichurri (significant other)
- Churri (significant other)
- Corazón de melón (melon heart; used with partners or close family members)
- Media naranja (half orange; my other half)
- Pedacito de cielo (piece of heaven; used with partners or close family members)
- Conejito (little bunny; used with partners or younger people)
- Osito (little bear; used with partners)
- Monito (little monkey; used with male partners or close friends)
- Monita (little monkey; used with female partners or close friends)
- Bichito (little bug; used with partners)
- Cosita linda (pretty little thing; used with partners or close friends)
- Caramelo (candy; used with partners)
- Ojitos (little eyes; used for someone with pretty eyes)
- Ricitos (curly hair; used for someone with curly hair)
- Dulzura (sweetness)
- Bizcocho (biscuit)
- Palomita (little dove)
- Pechocho (precious; for men)
- Pechocha (precious; for women)
- Abejita (little bee)
- Mi luna (my moon)
- Paloma (dove)

Section 10 of 12:

Spanish Nicknames in Different Countries

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Try out nicknames that are unique to certain countries. While many Spanish nicknames and terms of endearment are universal, some are specific to different countries. Learning these unique nicknames might be a good idea if you plan on traveling to any of these places:
- Nicknames in Spain
  - Majo (friend)
  - Guaje (friend)
  - Meu (mine)
  - Tete (little boy)
  - Acho (friend)
- Nicknames in Mexico
  - Güey (dude)
  - Vato (guy)
  - Compa (friend)
  - Chilango (someone from Mexico City)
  - Chaparrito (short, for men)
  - Chaparrita (short, for women)
  - Ese (that one)
  - Chavo (young guy)
  - Crack (someone who is really good at something)
- Nicknames in Argentina
  - Boludo (bro)
  - Che (dude)
  - Pibe (guy)
  - Piba (girl)
  - La albiceleste (Argentina’s soccer team)
- Nicknames in Colombia
  - Marica (friend)
  - Parcero (friend)
  - Parce (friend)
  - Mi llave (my best friend)
  - Una nota (an expert)
  - Chino (a child)
- Nicknames in Peru
  - Pata (friend)
  - Chibolo (young person)
  - Choche (close friend)
  - Cholo (dude)
  - Fercho (driver)
- Nicknames in Guatemala
  - Chapín (a man from Guatemala)
  - Chapina (a woman from Guatemala)
  - Colocho (a person with curly hair)
  - Canche (blonde)
  - Patojo (a child)
  - Chucho (a cheap person)
  - Chispudo (a bright person)
- Nicknames in the Dominican Republic
  - Pana (friend)
  - Tiguere (hustler)
  - Bacano (someone who’s good at something)
  - Mai (mom)
  - Pai (dad)
  - Jeva (girlfriend)
  - Jevo (boyfriend)

Section 11 of 12:

Spanish Nicknames Based on Given Names

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Give someone a nickname based on their actual name. Naming expert Natalie Mulholland says many Mexican and Spanish names have nicknames.^{[10]
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Natalie Mulholland
Naming Expert

Expert Interview} Some of these are pretty obvious, while others may not be as clear if you’re just learning to speak Spanish. Here are some common nicknames based on given names:
- Beto (short for Alberto)^{[11]
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- Alex (short for Alejandro)
- Ale (short for Alejandra)
- Freddy (short for Alfredo)
- Toño (short for Antonio)^{[12]
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- Benji (short for Benjamín)
- Caro (short for Carolina)
- Ceci (short for Cecilia)
- Clau (short for Claudia)
- Cris (short for Cristian or Cristina)
- Concha (short for Concepción)
- Lola (short for Dolores)
- Lalo (short for Eduardo)^{[13]
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- Quique (short for Enrique)
- Neto (short for Ernesto)^{[14]
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- Kiko (short for Federico)
- Paco (short for Francisco)
- Pancho (short for Francisco)
- Paquita (short for Francisca)
- Gabo (short for Gabriel)
- Lupe (short for Guadalupe)^{[15]
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- Lupita (short for Guadalupe)
- Memo (short for Guillermo)^{[16]
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- Nacho (short for Ignacio)^{[17]
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- Chuy (short for Jesús)
- Pepe (short for José)^{[18]
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- Chema (short for José María)
- Juanpa (short for Juan Pablo)
- Juancho (short for Juan Francisco)
- Juanjo (short for Juan José)
- Leo (short for Leonardo)
- Lencho (short for Lorenzo)
- Mundo (short for Raymundo)
- Checo (short for Sergio)
- Tommy (short for Tomás)
- Luci (short for Lucia)
- Luisfer (short for Luis Fernando)
- Majo (short for María José)
- Maribel (short for María Isabel)
- Mafer (short for María Fernanda)
- Malena (short for María Elena)
- Magda (short for Magdalena)
- Moni (short for Mónica)
- Monse (short for Montserrat)
- Chayo (short for Rosario)
- Sandy (short for Sandra)
- Susi (short for Susana)
- Tere (short for Teresa)
- Viri (short for Viridiana)
- Vero (short for Verónica)
- Chente (short for Vicente)
- Xochi (short for Xochitl)
- Yoli (short for Yolanda)
- Yuri (short for Yuridia)

Section 12 of 12:

Spanish Nicknames for Cities & Places

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Learn the Spanish nicknames of cities and places around the world. Nicknames aren’t just for people. Many Spanish-speaking countries also have nicknames for popular cities and places around the globe. Here are some of the most notable:
- El gabacho (The United States)
- La Reina del Plata (Buenos Aires)
- La Ciudad Condal (Barcelona)
- La Ciudad Eterna (Rome)
- La Villa y Corte (Madrid)
- La Ciudad de la Luz (Paris)
- Chilangolandia (Mexico City)
- La Sultana del Norte (Monterrey)
- Guanatos (Guadalajara)
- El Ombligo del Mundo (Cuzco)
- La Ciudad de los Reyes (Lima)
- El Balcón de los Andes (Bogotá)
- La Heróica (Cartagena)
- La Ciudad del Fin del Mundo (Ushuaia)