Spanish Nickname Generator: 88 Spanish Nicknames for Names

Spanish nicknames for names often look nothing like the original, which is half the fun: Paco and Pancho are for Francisco, Pepe is for José, Nacho is for Ignacio, Lupe is for Guadalupe and Lola is for Dolores. This Spanish nickname generator shows each nickname with the name it comes from.

Below are 88 traditional Spanish nicknames, sorted into boys' names, girls' names, names that work for both, and double names like María José. Tap through them, save the ones you like, and copy your shortlist. Looking for a specific name? The A to Z table further down lets you look up a first name and find its nickname.

Why Spanish nicknames look so different from the name

In Spanish, a nickname built from a first name is called a hipocorístico. Lots of them follow a few simple patterns, and once you spot them, they start to make sense:

• Keep the end of the name. Guadalupe becomes Lupe, Ignacio becomes Nacho, Concepción becomes Concha.
• Turn soft sounds into "ch". It's a cozy, baby-talk habit. Consuelo becomes Chelo, Rosario becomes Chayo, Isabel becomes Chabela and Vicente becomes Chente.
• Double a sound. José becomes Pepe, Enrique becomes Quique, Josefa becomes Pepa.
• Just shorten it. Rafael becomes Rafa, Santiago becomes Santi, Sebastián becomes Sebas. This is the most common pattern for younger people today.
• Squash a double name into one. María José becomes Majo, José María becomes Chema, María Teresa becomes Maite.

Some nicknames have fun legends behind them. You'll often hear that Pepe comes from P.P. (for Pater Putativus, a Latin title for St. Joseph) and that Paco comes from a Latin phrase too. They're great stories, but language experts think both nicknames simply grew out of the way little kids said the names.

Spanish nicknames for boys' names

From the old favorites like Paco and Pepe to modern short forms like Santi and Sebas. Where a nickname belongs mostly to one country or region, we say so.

• Paco: for Francisco; the classic nickname all over Spain
• Pancho: for Francisco; the favorite in Mexico and much of Latin America
• Curro: for Francisco; especially common in Andalusia, in southern Spain
• Kiko: for Francisco; a playful modern pick
• Pepe: for José; probably the best-known Spanish nickname of all
• Chepe: for José; common in Central America
• Nacho: for Ignacio
• Chucho: for Jesús; warm and old-fashioned
• Chuy: for Jesús; very common in Mexico
• Chus: for Jesús; the version you'll hear in Spain
• Memo: for Guillermo; a Mexican favorite
• Lalo: for Eduardo
• Beto: for Alberto, Roberto or Humberto
• Toño: for Antonio
• Quique: for Enrique; also spelled Kike
• Manolo: for Manuel
• Rafa: for Rafael
• Nando: for Fernando
• Chalo: for Gonzalo
• Lucho: for Luis; popular in Chile, Peru and Colombia
• Chago: for Santiago
• Santi: for Santiago; the modern favorite
• Moncho: for Ramón
• Quino: for Joaquín
• Fede: for Federico
• Sebas: for Sebastián
• Agus: for Agustín; very common in Argentina
• Rodri: for Rodrigo
• Gera: for Gerardo
• Coque: for Jorge; mostly in Spain
• Chava: for Salvador; common in Mexico
• Salva: for Salvador; common in Spain
• Chente: for Vicente
• Lencho: for Lorenzo
• Perico: for Pedro; old-fashioned and sweet
• Juancho: for Juan
• Guille: for Guillermo
• Edu: for Eduardo; common in Spain

Spanish nicknames for girls' names

Many traditional Spanish girls' names come from titles of the Virgin Mary, like Dolores, Rosario, Pilar and Guadalupe. Their nicknames, such as Lola, Charo, Pili and Lupe, are often more famous than the names themselves.

• Lupe: for Guadalupe
• Lupita: for Guadalupe; the sweet little-girl version
• Lola: for Dolores
• Loli: for Dolores; common in Spain
• Concha: for Concepción
• Conchita: for Concepción; the little-girl version
• Charo: for Rosario
• Chayo: for Rosario; common in Mexico
• Chelo: for Consuelo
• Chela: for Graciela
• Merche: for Mercedes, in Spain
• Meche: for Mercedes, in Latin America
• Chabela: for Isabel
• Pepa: for Josefa or Josefina
• Pepita: for Josefa or Josefina; extra sweet
• Fina: for Josefina
• Paca: for Francisca
• Paquita: for Francisca
• Pili: for Pilar
• Montse: for Montserrat
• Inma: for Inmaculada
• Encarna: for Encarnación
• Puri: for Purificación
• Sole: for Soledad
• Chole: for Soledad; common in Mexico
• Espe: for Esperanza
• Trini: for Trinidad
• Nati: for Natividad or Natalia
• Tere: for Teresa
• Asun: for Asunción
• Reme: for Remedios
• Coco: for Socorro; common in Mexico
• Marga: for Margarita
• Vale: for Valentina
• Jime: for Jimena
• Bea: for Beatriz
• Leti: for Leticia

Nicknames for names that work for both

These short forms work for the boy's and girl's versions of a name, which makes them handy in families with a Daniel and a Daniela.

• Fer: for Fernando or Fernanda
• Ale: for Alejandro or Alejandra
• Dani: for Daniel or Daniela
• Gabi: for Gabriel or Gabriela
• Pato: for Patricio or Patricia; popular in Chile and Argentina

Nicknames for double names

Double names like María José and José Luis are very common in Spanish-speaking families. Their nicknames squeeze both names into one easy word, and some, like Maite and Marisol, became names of their own.

• Chema: for José María
• Joselu: for José Luis
• Majo: for María José
• Maite: for María Teresa; now a name of its own
• Malu: for María Luisa
• Mamen: for María del Carmen; common in Spain
• Menchu: for Carmen or María del Carmen
• Marisol: for María de la Soledad; now a name of its own

Look up a first name: A to Z Spanish nicknames

Find the first name on the left to see its usual nicknames. Nicknames can change from country to country and family to family, so think of these as the most common ones, not the only ones.

Are these nicknames used everywhere Spanish is spoken?

Mostly, but not always. Spanish is spoken in more than 20 countries, and each has its favorites. Pancho and Chuy feel very Mexican. Curro, Merche and Mamen are heard mostly in Spain. Lucho is big in Chile, Peru and Colombia, and Agus is everywhere in Argentina. If you're picking a nickname for someone, the best move is simple: ask what their family calls them.

Looking for a romantic Spanish nickname instead?

This page is about nicknames that come from a person's first name. If you want sweet names for someone you love, like mi amor, cariño or mi cielo, see our Spanish nicknames for girlfriend and Spanish pet names for boyfriend. Our Mexican nicknames for boyfriend has more, too, or try the nickname generator with Spanish switched on.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Spanish nickname for Francisco?

Paco is the classic in Spain, and Pancho is the favorite in Mexico and much of Latin America. Curro is common in Andalusia, and Kiko and Fran are modern picks.

Why is Pepe a nickname for José?

A popular story says it comes from P.P., for Pater Putativus, a Latin title for St. Joseph. Language experts think it more likely grew from the way little kids say Josepe or José. Either way, Pepe has meant José for centuries.

What is Nacho short for?

Nacho is the nickname for Ignacio.

What is Lupe short for?

Lupe, and the sweeter Lupita, are nicknames for Guadalupe, a beloved name in Mexico.

What is Chuy short for?

Chuy is a Mexican nickname for Jesús. Chucho is another, and in Spain you'll hear Chus.

Why do so many Spanish nicknames start with Ch?

Turning an s, j or soft c sound into ch is an affectionate habit in Spanish, a bit like baby talk. That's how Consuelo becomes Chelo, Rosario becomes Chayo and Salvador becomes Chava.