Her name is Guadalupe, but everyone calls her Lupita. Jesús is better known as Chuy.  María del Refugio is called Cuca for short. José María goes by Chema. Dolores is known as Lola; for Eduardo it’s Lalo. 

Those are a few samples of the common hypocoristics or diminutives for given names in Mexico, not unlike the abbreviated names Betsy, Kate and Suzy, Bob, Bill and Joe applied in English-speaking countries.

In addition to shortened monikers for most nombres de pila (baptismal names), folks here are often known by nicknames used among their friends and relations. Some are generic word such as nena or nene (baby), referring to little girls and boys.

There are all sorts of terms of endearment used among couples: mi amor (my love), cielo (heaven) mi rey and mi reina (my king/my queen), or a passionate mamacita or papacito whispered into the ear.  

Strange to the Anglo ear are nicknames that refer to physical characteristics that rate as politically incorrect in our culture. How many women would bristle at being called gorda (fatso) by their mates?  What guy with a receding hairline wants to be called pelón (baldy)? Or a lightly built man flaco (skinny). Here such terms are simply taken as loving acceptance of who you are. 

Many people pick up peculiar apodos (nicknames) in childhood that stick with them for life. We all know about the notorious drug lord, 5-foot, 6-inch El Chapo (Shorty), a.k.a., Joaquin Guzmán. Here we have a local government bigwig friends call Pitaya (prickly pear), the apodo adopted by his schoolmates in reference to his distinctive ever-spiky hairdo.   I’d rather not get the back stories on the former Ajijic administrator more often called Chicles (chewing gum) than Ricardo, or another Chapala City Hall employee everyone knows as Moco (snot).   

Another quirk of the modern Mexican vernacular is the common practice among young people to call their pals names that were considered rude by prior generations. Calling someone cabrón (male goat) or güey (ox) was once employed to nail someone as an obnoxious jackass. Nowadays, the words are freely weaved into conversation, much like American kids say “dude” every whipstitch.

Expats should be aware that if you have fair skin, blue or green eyes, dress a certain way, don’t speak fluent Spanish and behave like a first-world consumer, you’re likely to be labeled gringo or gringa, regardless of your nationality. 

Though the term traditionally refers to U.S. citizens, in our multi-national community it’s a handle often given to anyone who appears to be a foreigner. And, it’s not necessarily a derogatory epithet. The tone of voice and context tells you whether to take it as an insult or just a neutral description of your “otherness.”

Also keep in mind that “stupid,” a personal adjective English-speakers use without a second thought, is extremely offensive to Mexican people. If you can’t resist calling out a blockhead, choose tonto, tarugo, bruto, pazguato or another milder synonym to make the point.  

Better still, avoid questionable name-calling altogether. Keep a smile on your face and friendly terms like amigo on the tip of your tongue.