Why Mexicans Give Each Other Funny (And Sweet) Nicknames

If you've spent time in Mexico, you've probably noticed something delightful: people don't just have names—they have nicknames, and they use them constantly.

Mexican nicknames go far beyond simple shortcuts like Bob for Robert. There's Memo for Guillermo, Lola for Dolores, and Lalo for Eduardo—shortened versions that roll off the tongue with familiarity.

But the real creativity shows up in double names. María Fernanda becomes Mafer, María José turns into Majo, and yes, Lucía Fernanda gets nicknamed Lucifer—though nobody's summoning demons here.

Writer Sarah DeVries, who lives in Xalapa, Veracruz, discovered this cultural treasure after moving to Mexico. She never had a nickname growing up in the US, so she admits feeling a bit jealous as a kid.

Now she collects them. A friend dubbed her "Sirena Polar" (Polar Mermaid) after watching her jump into freezing water after a hike. The same friend also called her "Cara de Nutria"—Otter Face—for reasons that remain mysterious.

Some nicknames might raise eyebrows north of the border. DeVries knows someone called "El Frijol" (The Bean) because of his dark skin, and her ex-husband went by "El Bello Camello" (The Beautiful Camel) because friends thought he looked Arab.

The tradition isn't fading with younger generations either. DeVries' 11-year-old daughter answers to "Plana" (Flat) at school—a playful synonym of her name, Lisa, which means smooth in Spanish.

In her Scout troop, every kid gets a bird name. It's just how things work.

Sunny's Take

Here's the beautiful truth behind these seemingly odd names: you only get a nickname when you're included. If Mexicans are giving you a silly name, it means you're part of the community—they know you, they see you, and yes, they're teasing you with affection.

DeVries notes that after watching people take themselves very seriously in the US, there's something refreshing about cultures that leave room for gentle humor. The unspoken rules are complex, but the heart of it is simple: not taking yourself too seriously makes you more likable.

Her advice? Go with it. Even if "Otter Face" wasn't your first choice, it beats being invisible.

The nickname on your lips is proof you belong to something bigger than yourself.