150+ Mexican Nicknames for Friends, Family, & Partners

Mexican nicknames hold a lot of cultural significance. Called “apodos” in Spanish, these nicknames can show affection, be playful, and reflect a person’s characteristics. If you’re curious to discover some common Mexican nicknames, you’ve come to the right place! We partnered with a naming expert so we could share different types of nicknames and their meanings, from ones that are based on first names to ones that are funny, cute, and cool.

What are some common Mexican nicknames?

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An illustration of different Mexican nicknames.

Naming expert Natalie Mulholland says many Mexican names have a nickname equivalent, including Eduardo (Lalo), Jose (Pepe), Antonio (Toño), Ernesto (Neto), Guadalupe (Lupe), Ignacio (Nacho), Guillermo (Memo), and Alberto (Beto). Other Mexican nicknames include:

Romantic: Mi amor (my love); Cariño (darling); Mi vida (my life)
Funny: Travieso/traviesoa (mischievous one); Chango (monkey); Naco/Naca (tacky person)
Cute: Chiquito/Chiquita (little one); Pollito/Pollita: (little chick); Dulzura (sweetness)
Cool: Güey/Wey (dude); Carnal (brother); Compita/Compa (buddy)

Section 1 of 8:

Mexican Nicknames for Female First Names

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Many Mexican nicknames are shortened versions of first names. Some common female nicknames you may hear include Adri, Bety, Lola, and Veva. Here’s a list of female first names with their corresponding nicknames.
- Adriana: Adri
- Alicia: Ali, Licha
- Ana Lucía: Analú
- Ana Paula: Anapau
- Andrea : Andi, Nea
- Bárbara: Bar, Barbi
- Beatriz: Bea, Bety
- Berenice: Bere
- Carolina: Carito, Caro, Carol, Carola, Lina
- Cecilia: Ceci, Cecil, Chechi, Chechu,
- Cristina: Cris, Cristi, Cristinita, Tina
- Concepción: Conce, Concha, Conchis, Conchita
- Constanza: Coni, Coti
- Consuelo: Chelo
- Daniela: Dani, Danielita, Nany
- Dolores: Lola, Loli, Lolis, Lolita
- Elena: Ele, Eleni, Lena, Nena
- Eloísa: Elo
- Erika: Eri, Kika
- Esperanza: Espe, Lancha, Pelancha, Pera, Peris, Perita
- Estefanía: Estefa, Estefi, Fany, Nani, Tefi
- Fernanda: Fer, Fercha, Ferchita, Ferni, Nanda, Nandita
- Francisca: Cisca, Chica, Fran, Kika, Paca, Pancha, Panchita, Paqui, Paquita
- Genoveva: Geno, Veva
- Graciela: Chela
- Guadalupe: Guada, Lupe, Lupita
- Guillermina: Guille, Memina, Mina
- Inés: Necho, Nena
- Isabel: Isa, Chabe, Chabela
- Josefina: Chepina, Fina, José, Pepa, Pepita, Pina, Pini
- Laura: Lala, Lori, Lau, Lauris
- Lourdes: Lula, Lulis, Lulú
- Marcela: Mar, Marce, Chela, Chelita
- María: Mari, Mariquita, Maruja^{[1]
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- María del Carmen: Maricarmen
- María Elena: Mariele, Lena, Mariena, Nena
- María Eugenia : Maru, Maruja, Mara, Mane
- María Fernanda: Mafe, Mafer, Marifer, Fercha, Maye
- María Luisa: Marilú
- María Teresa: Maritere
- Mercedes: Merce, Meche, Mechita, Merci, Merchi
- Mónica : Moni, Mona
- Natalia: Nata, Nati
- Ramona: Mona, Moncha, Monchita, Monsi
- Rebeca: Beca, Becky, Rebe, Rebequita
- Regina: Gina, Reginita
- Rocío: Chío, Roci, Rosi
- Rosa: Rosi, Rosita
- Rosario: Charo, Chayo
- Silvia: Chiva, Chivis, Silvis
- Socorro: Coco, Cocoy, Coquis, Soco
- Soledad: Chole, Sol, Sole
- Yolanda: Yola, Yoli, Yoya, Yoyis
- Victoria: Vicky
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Natalie Mulholland is a naming expert from Athens, Georgia. Since 2023, she’s also been a content creator focused on sharing the origin of names, plus what they mean and interesting people who’ve had that name before.

Section 2 of 8:

Mexican Nicknames for Male First Names

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In Mexican culture, many men go by their abbreviated nickname. Just like “Billy” is short for the English name “William,” many Mexican nicknames are simply shorter versions of someone’s birth name. The following list shares male first names with their Mexican nicknames.
- Adrián: Adri, Adriancito
- Alberto: Al, Albert, Alby, Beto, Bebeto, Betín^{[2]
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- Alejandro: Alex, Alejo, Jando, Jandro
- Alfonso: Poncho, Moncho, Fonso
- Anastasio: Tacho
- Antonio: Tony, Toño, Toñito^{[3]
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- Benjamín: Ben, Benny, Benja, Benjamón, Benji, Chamín, Mincho
- Bernardo: Berna, Berni
- Carlos: Carlangas, Carlitos, Charly, Charles
- Cuauhtémoc: Temo
- Daniel: Dani
- Eduardo: Edu, Eduardito Eddy, Lalo, Yayo^{[4]
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- Emilio: Emi, Milo
- Emmanuel: Emma, Mane, Manu, Many
- Enrique: Quique, Ricky, Roque,
- Ernesto: Erni, Nesti, Nestor, Neto^{[5]
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- Fabián: Fabiancito, Fito
- Federico: Fede, Freddy, Kiko, Kiki
- Felipe: Feli, Felipín, Gelipe, Pipe, Pipo
- Fernando: Fer, Fercho, Ferna, Fernandito, Ferny
- Francisco: Paco, Pancho, Poncho
- Gabriel : Gaby, Gabito, Gabo
- Gerardo: Gera, Gerardito, Gerry
- Gregorio: Grego, Gregor, Goyo, Goyito
- Guadalupe: Lupe, Lupillo, Lupito^{[6]
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- Guillermo: Memo^{[7]
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- Gustavo: Gus, Tavito, Tavo
- Ignacio: Nacho^{[8]
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- Ismael: Isma
- Jesús: Chucho, Chuy, Chuyito, Chus
- Joaquín: Joaco, Chimo, Kikín,Quino, Quincho
- Jorge: Coco, Coque
- José: Chepe, Josecito, Pepe, Pepito^{[9]
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- Josué: Ché, Jos, Josh
- Juan: Juanchi, Juancho, Juanelo
- Juan Carlos: Juanca, Juancar
- Juan Pablo: Juampa, Juampi, Juampis
- Luis: Güicho, Lucho, Luisito
- Luis Fernando: Luisfer
- Miguel: Migue, Miguelón, Mike, Mike, Miki^{[10]
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- Moisés: Moi, Moicas, Moy
- Nicolás: Nico, Colate, Colacho, Niki
- Patricio: Pato
- Pedro: Perico, Pedrucho, Peter
- Ramiro: Rami, Ramis
- Ramón: Monche, Moncho, Monchito
- Raúl: Raulito, Rulas, Rulis, Rulo, Ruly
- Ricardo: Kiki, Rica, Ríchar, Richi, Ricky
- Roberto: Beto, Bobby, Rober
- Rolando: Rola, Rolán, Rolo
- Salvador: Chava, Chavita, Sal, Salva
- Sergio: Checo, Checho, Keko, Serch, Yayo, Yayito
- Vicente: Chande, Chente, Chelo, Vico, Vite
- Víctor: Vic, Vico, Vitolo

Section 3 of 8:

Romantic Mexican Nicknames For Partners

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There are a variety of affectionate nicknames for a romantic partner. They’re another way to express your love to your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife. Here are some sweet Mexican nicknames for couples with their meanings.
- Mi Amor: “My love”
- Mi Vida: “My life”
- Mi Cielo: “My heaven’
- Amorcito: “Little love”
- Corazón: “Heart”
- Mi Gordito/Gordita: “My little chubby one”; used lovingly in Mexican culture
- Chiquito mío / Chiquita mía: ‘My little one”^{[11]
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- Mi Rey/Reina: My king or queen
- Cariño: “Darling” or “sweetheart”
- Tesoro: “Treasure”
- Bombón: “Chocolate candy”; used to say someone is sweet and lovely
- Osito: “Little bear”
- Amorcito lindo: “Lovely little love”
- Mi Todo: “My everything”
- Chaparrito /Chaparrita: “My short one”
- Príncipe /Princesa: “Prince/princess”
- Querido /Querida: “Beloved one”
- Chula /Chulo: “Cute”; used in a flirty way
- Guapo: “Handsome man”
- Papacito: “Hot or handsome man”

Section 4 of 8:

Funny Mexican Nicknames

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Funny nicknames are some of the most popular in Mexican culture. They’re meant to be silly, cheeky, and tease in a playful way. They’re usually based on quirky personality traits or an inside joke.^{[12]
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- Coco: “Coconut”; for someone bald
- Chango: “Monkey”; someone silly
- Pelos: “Hair”; used for someone with wild hair
- Burro: “Donkey”; used for someone who’s stubborn or funny
- El Gallo: “The rooster”; used for someone who’s loud
- La Güera Loca: “The crazy blonde”; used for someone’s who’s high energy
- El Flamas: “The flashy one”
- Bicho: “Bug”; used for a mischievous person
- Chato: “Flat-nosed”
- Topo: “Mole”; used for someone who loves the dark
- Tripa: “Gut”; used for a skinny person
- Zancudo: “Mosquito”; refers to someone with long legs
- Chueco: “Crooked one”; used for a clumsy person
- Gafas: “Glasses”; for a person who wears glasses all the time
- Mosca: “Fly”; for someone who’s always buzzing around
- Travieso/Traviesoa: “ Mischievous one”
- Loco/Loca: “Crazy one”
- Naco /Naca: “Tacky person”; used as a joke among friends
- El Gruñón: “Grumpy one”

Section 5 of 8:

Cute Mexican Nicknames

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Cute Mexican nicknames are endearing and warm. They are another way to show your affection and can be used for kids, family, friends, and even pets. Take a look at these options:
- Bebé: “Baby”
- Chiquito/Chiquita: “Little one”
- Nene/Nena: Baby boy or girl
- Pequeño/Pequeña: “Little one”
- Conejito/Conejita: “Little bunny”
- Estrellita: “Little star”
- Pollito/Pollita: “Little chick”
- Chispa: “Spark”
- Panzón: “Big belly”; usually used for chubby kids
- Angelito/Angelita: “Little angel”
- Ratón: Little mouse”
- Gallito: “Little rooster”
- Perrito /Perrita: “Little puppy”
- Dulzura: “Sweetness”
- Sol: “Sun”; used for someone who lights up your life

Section 6 of 8:

Cool Mexican Nicknames

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Cool Mexican nicknames are used among friends. They’re casual, fun, and great to use with some of your closest buddies. Use the following options for the people you’re closest with.
- Güey /Wey: “Dude”
- Carnal: “Brother”
- Compita/Compa: “Buddy”
- Mano/Mana: Short for “brother/sister”
- Socio: “Partner”; used between close friends
- Broder: Mexican-style “brother”
- Primo: “Cousin”; can be used for people you view as chosen family
- Chavo/Chava: “boy” or “girl”
- Tocayo: Refers to a person who shares the same name as you
- Chido/Chida: “Cool person”
- Fresa: “Preppy person”
- Banda: “The crew”
- Neto: “Honest one”
- Cuate: “Buddy” or “close friend”

Section 7 of 8:

Mexican Nicknames Based on Looks

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Several Mexican nicknames are based on appearances. While humorous, they’re used in a friendly way between people who know each other well. The following are some examples.
- Flaco/Flaco: “Skinny one”
- Cachetes: “Cheeks”; used for someone with chubby cheeks
- Bigotes: “Mustache”; usually used for someone who barely has a moustache
- Canelo: “Red hair”
- Trompas: “Big lips”
- Cabezón /Cabezona: “Big head”
- Güero /Güera: “Light-skinned person” or “Blonde person”
- Tostado: “Toasted”; used for a tan person
- Moreno/Morena: “Brunette” or “darker-skinned person”

Section 8 of 8:

More Fun Nicknames

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Do you want to discover more creative nicknames? Whether you’re searching for a nickname to use for a friend, family member, or significant other, our Nickname Generator can help. Try it out and see what you can come up with!
- Nickname Generator