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In Spanish, tocayo is a warm and friendly word you use when someone has the same first name as you. It’s like saying “name twin” in English, but with more charm. If your name is Carlos and you meet another Carlos, you can greet him with “¡Hola, tocayo!” and maybe even smile like you’ve known each other for years.
For children, there’s also tocayito, which is just a smaller, cuter version. It works the same way but feels more playful.
The word is used in most Spanish-speaking countries, but it can feel especially familiar in Mexico and Latin America. It’s not just a coincidence of names—it’s a little instant connection, as if sharing a small club. Sometimes people will use it jokingly if you have the same name as a famous person, too.
English doesn’t really have a perfect translation. You could say “namesake,” but that’s more formal and can also refer to someone you’re named after. Tocayo is much warmer, more like a quick handshake between two people with the same name.
So, if you ever meet someone with your exact first name, try saying tocayo. You might just get a smile in return.
Tocayos. Benito Mussolini and Benito Juárez. Find out about this fact:
Benito Mussolini se llamaba así en honor a Juárez; conoce la razón
