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A guide to common Spanish nicknames and diminutives so you don’t get confused
Spanish speakers love nicknames. Many formal given names get shortened, changed, or turned into other forms that can be tricky for learners. Across the Spanish-speaking world, people use these nicknames in daily life — at home, at work, and on the street — sometimes even more than the person’s legal name.
This post combines the original 2021 SpanishNY list with new additions. I kept the tone simple and practical: the table shows the nickname, the full name(s) behind it, gender, and a short note. Use nicknames only when you’re sure the person expects them — in formal situations use the full name.
Table of nicknames (original from our 2021 post + expanded)
| Nickname | Full name(s) behind it | Gender | Short note / usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ale, Alex | Alejandro | M | Short and common. |
| Beto | Alberto, Roberto, Norberto, Heriberto | M | One of the most common. |
| Anita | Ana | F | A diminutive nickname that is longer than the original name. |
| Bety, Beti | Beatriz | F | Diminutive and familiar. |
| Carmela, Carmelita | Carmen | F | Affectionate forms of Carmen. |
| Coco | Socorro (F), Jorge (sometimes) | F / M | Pet name-style; affectionate. |
| Concha, Conchita (diminutive of the diminutive) | Concepción | F | Traditional (note regional reactions). |
| Chabela | Isabel / Elizabeth | F | Very Mexican, friendly. |
| Chela | Graciela | F | Casual and common. |
| Chelo | Consuelo | F | Friendly; common in Mexico. |
| Chente | Vicente | M | Mexican and familiar. |
| Chema | José María | M | Classic for the compound name José María. |
| Chencho / Chencha | Inocencio / Inocencia | M / F | Old-fashioned; used in some regions and telenovelas. |
| Chepina | Josefina | F | Diminutive, affectionate. |
| Chole | Soledad | F | Familiar female nickname. |
| Chucho, Chuy | Jesús | M | Extremely popular in Mexico. |
| Dani, Dany | Daniel / Daniela | M / F | Casual and international. |
| Fer, Nando | Fernando | M | Two variants from Fernando. |
| Fito | Rodolfo | M | Short. |
| Rudi / Rudy | Rodolfo | M | Informal alternatives. |
| Goyo | Gregorio | M | Common and friendly. The Popocatépetl Volcano near Mexico City is also known as Don Goyo. |
| Güicho | Luis (from Luisito) | M | Very Mexican sounding. |
| Javi | Javier | M | Common in Spain and used in Mexico. |
| Juanita | Juana | F | Diminutive / affectionate. |
| Lalo | Eduardo (sometimes Gonzalo) | M | Very common and informal. |
| Leti / Lety | Leticia | F | Casual and popular. |
| Lola / Lolita (Diminutive of the diminutive) | Dolores | F | Traditional, affectionate. |
| Lucha | Luz / Luz María / María de la Luz | F | Classic Mexican female name nickname. |
| Lulú | Lourdes | F | Cute and intimate nickname. |
| Lupe, Lupita, Pita | Guadalupe | F. M: Lupe is also used for men | Lupita is the very common diminutive. |
| Malena | María Elena | F | Shortened form. |
| Manolo | Manuel | M | Common Spanish nickname. |
| Meche | Mercedes | F | Mexican / Spanish. |
| Mena | Filomena | F | Shortened and friendly. |
| Maricarmen | María del Carmen | F | Combined name often used as one word. |
| Marilú | María de Lourdes | F | Diminutive, affectionate. |
| Moy | Moisés | M | Short, used in Mexico. |
| Neto | Ernesto | M | Very Mexican and casual. |
| Nacho | Ignacio | M | Classic and friendly. |
| Nico | Nicolás | M | Short and modern. |
| Paco, Pancho, Quico | Francisco | M | Many regional forms (Paco common). |
| Pati / Paty | Patricia | F | Friendly and very common. |
| Pato | Patricio | M | Playful; also means “duck.” |
| Pepe | José | M | One of the oldest and most common nicknames. |
| Pili / Pily | Pilar | F | Simple and affectionate. |
| Polo / Polito | Leopoldo | M | Diminutive of Leopoldo. |
| Poncho | Alfonso | M | Friendly and casual. |
| Quico | Federico / Francisco (regionally) | M | Playful; regional uses vary. |
| Fede | Federico | M | Common short form. |
| Quique | Enrique | M | Very common in Spain and Latin America. |
| Tavo | Gustavo, Octavio | M | Informal and short. |
| Teté | Esther | F | Diminutive, warm. |
| Teto | Héctor | M | Short and affectionate. |
| Toño | Antonio | M | Very common across Latin America. |
| Meche | Mercedes | F | See above — very common. |
| Chente | Vicente | M | See above. |
| Chayo | Rosario | F | Popular in Mexico. |
| Majo | María José | F | Modern, common in Spain/Latin America. |
| Mari | María (compound names) | F | Used in many combinations (Mari José, Mari Carmen). |
| Mary / Maru | María (various) | F | Friendly variants. |
| Tacho | Patricio / Anastasio (regional) | M | Regional and informal. |
| Pachi | Francisco / Pascual (regional) | M | Regional use. |
| Polo (repeat) | Leopoldo | M | See above. |
| Beni | Benjamín | M | Short and friendly. |
| Mati | Matías / Matilde | M / F | Neutral and modern. |
| Rodri | Rodrigo | M | |
| Toña | Antonia | F | Diminutive. |
| Licha | Alicia | F | Common Mexican nickname. |
| Seba, Sebas | Sebastián | M | A very traditional name that is similar in many languages. |
| Polo / Polito | Leopoldo | M | |
| Quico / Kiko / Fede | Federico | M | Like Quico in El Chavo del Ocho. |
A few notes
Nicknames are often family-based — a person may have one name used by family, another by friends, and a formal name on documents.
Some nicknames are regional (Quico, Güicho) and may be understood only in certain countries or areas.
Always follow the lead: if someone signs as “Roberto” use that until they invite you to say “Beto.” Using a nickname prematurely can sound too familiar.
Nicknames can reflect closeness. You may hear them in every neighborhood and family. Some nicknames are passed down generations — for example, a son can inherit his father’s nickname.
Use them carefully: in professional settings or with strangers, the full name is best until you’re invited to use the nickname.
