mexican name essay

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What does "ese" mean?

I keep hearing this word "ese" (also spelled "esé" or "ése") on TV used when parodying Spanish speakers. It's often used in a very funny way to indicate friend or homie but I can't tell what it means. Googling produced mixed results where some said it was a fake word used only in Hollywood, others claimed it just meant friend, and some claimed its like using the n-word.

Can someone clarify the meaning of ese (as used in this context) and explain if it is derogatory or not? If obviously don't want to use it if it is!

Additional info from comment :

I've seen it in comedy sketches by Key and Peele. Key often talks in a mock Spanish speaking accent. I'm not sure what nationality or ethnicity it is supposed to represent, but the jokes are of a sort of parody-like nature in that he is skirting the line between funny and racist as comedians sometimes do. Example: East Side Locos Tagger

• coloquialismos
• cultura-de-masas
• lenguaje-peyorativo
• lenguage-despectivo

• Is there any example of such an use you can point to? I agree with the answers given below but I can't think of how ese can be used in parody. –  JMVanPelt Commented May 2, 2015 at 21:02
• Key and Peele. Key often talks in a mock Spanish speaking accent. I'm not sure what nationality or ethnicity it is supposed to represent, but the jokes are of a sort of parody like nature in that he is skirting the line between funny and racist as comedians sometimes do. Maybe parody isn't the right word. If u have a better one, let me know and I'll change it. Here's the example: youtu.be/fwQXwlg5JU0 –  Stan Shunpike Commented May 2, 2015 at 21:42

9 Answers 9

Looking at the video you mentioned, and doing some googling, it turns out that ese (which has the gramatically correct meanings mentioned in the other answers) is a Spanglish slang to refer to someone, generally the person you are talking to. There are no academic sources for that, but here's a very plausible explanation :

In some places, "ese" (pronounced es-say) is just a slang way of refering to a guy. No different than dude , bro or man . [...] In short, ese can be a neutral term for any average guy or it can be a statement of one's gang affiliation.

Ese is a demonstrative adjective ( quiero ese libro , I want that book) or a demonstrative pronoun ( quiero ese , I want that one). As a pronoun, it's sometimes written with an accent on the stressed syllable: ése. ( RAE, see the 1st meaning of ese, esa, eso )

Ese can be used to refer to people, and it sometimes has a pejorative connotation ( RAE, see the 2nd meaning of ese, esa, eso ):

No conozco al tipo ese. (I don't know that guy.) Ese es un imbécil. (That [guy] is a moron.)

Actually, the word " ese " originated in Mexico City as a urban slang used among kids in the neighborhoods. Kids would use that as a term for "dude" or "hey, man", so it has not negative or offensive meaning. Gangs in East Los Angeles adapted the term since they are of Mexican descent and it is a very common word used among kids and teenagers who lived in urban areas in Mexico City.

• 1 According to Urban Dictionary, it is clearly a word used (in English) by people of Mexican descent, specially sureños (from Southern Mexico): urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=esé –  Gorpik Commented Jun 16, 2016 at 9:24

I am sort of weirded out by this thread!!! I am from California, but the strange nitpick on the use of ese in Mexican dialects sounds almost like it’s being answered by a bunch of folks who either did not grow up or have been exposed to common “ California/Baja ” Spanish usage, Idioms or slang, but are still of Mexican descent, or it is being answered by more people who never spoke Spanish in their lives, perhaps trying to find a translations to a meme or similar joke. You aren’t going to find a proper translation online for this use of the word..

It’s actually easier than all this. To answer the question alone, for this circumstance only, it can be replaced in English with any of these words:

Homie, Holmes, Bro, Dude, etc.

if an accent is heavy, it is because the person saying it has a heavy accent. A MEXICAN ACCENT, and anyone repeating it that doesen't belong to that sort of Barrio culture, is portraying what they hear from Mexicans saying it. Or, making fun of Mexicans . Not cool, homie. (Homie switched out for ese ).

The use of this word, and whether it is maliciously intended or in good faith, depends on if it is being said one of those ways or not, exactly like how it is in English . if you were to use one of the equivalent words i mentioned above...

“What’s your problem, Bro?” sounds menacing, hostile in english “Hey! Bro! How’s it going?” sounds friendly in English. “Dude! You shoulda seen it!” sounds neutral in english too.

However, You still would not say that neutral use of ‘ Dude ’ while talking to your great aunt Beatrice, right?

And just like in English, these Bro , Dude etc names are slang , and you would never call grandpa “ Bro ” and demand a high five. It’s rude.

So, “que onda, ese?” (or the equivalent english “ What’s up, yo? ” ) Are phrases no one would ever use when speaking to grandma, relatives or respected community members, however this usage is OK among peers, it’s just common slang which anyone might find offensive , it just depends on who thinks that way.

I believe its like using the evil “ N” word being white, no matter how good of a friend you are to an African American person, you don’t get to use it. ever.

This rule can be applied to anyone who isn’t Mexican trying to use "ese" as slang. *Not cool, Brah .* At best you'd make a fool of yourself, at worst, depending on where you are, you could get in trouble you didn't need to get in to in the first place. Always use common sense.

However you DO get a free pass using "ese" as slang if you are trying to sing along to any Cypress Hill lyrics and you HAVE to sing to " Insane in the Membrane "-

nobody cares if you can’t control yourself cuz nobody can ,

also if you are paraphrasing your favorite lines from any movie portraying Barrio culture

In general, as with all slang, if you have to ask, you should probably not be using it, but if you want to know just to understand what’s going on if you hear it, there’s no reason to not be privy to the social usage of a slang word in a language that you SHOULD know if you are living in certain areas of the United States.

Summed up, any way you can think of to use “Dude” in English, aside from its proper, webster’s Dictionary use of the term in regard to horse ranches etc. is what “ese” means in the Mexican dialects of Spanish in this context only. Ignore all the other urban dictionary stuff and other proper uses.

• 1 This is a great answer, although perhaps a bit on the passionate side, i took the liberty of doing some edits to clarify and take some edge off that may come across as hostile. But the answer does make a very important point about the usage of slang in a multicultural context , Having lived in the LAX area, and lived this kind of experiences, I couldn't agree more on using common sense, specially in today's politically charged social climate, where misunderstandings may spark unneeded tensions between communities. Learning words in other languages in good faith always builds bridges, –  hlecuanda Commented Jul 9, 2018 at 12:55

Literally, "ese" is a demonstrative pronoun which can mean it, that thing over there, that person over there . However, the Latinamerican dictionary Así Hablamos gives this use of the demonstrative pronoun "ese" for Ecuador:

Sustitución despectiva de él ¡Míralo a ese! ==> Míralo a él | Pejorative substitution for "him"

This definition fits perfectly with what I learned in the 1980's living in a provincial university town in Mexico, far from Mexico City and even farther from the northern border areas where the drug business and gang activity were starting to build up. I'm quite certain the meaning and usage I was taught had nothing to do with gangs or anything related to gangs.

Now, with the help of Urban Dictionary , here's what I believe is going on in the Key & Peele sketch. Key is playing a California latino gang leader. His use of "Ese" is analogous to how you might hear young African American men greet each other with "Nigga." A term originally (and in some circles still ) used by racist whites to refer pejoratively to African Americans has been appropriated, with a slight change in pronunciation and spelling, to mean

fellow tribesman and badass

where I'm using "tribe" to mean racial/ethnic peer group , and I'm using "badass" to mean a formidable and intimidating person .

In the case of ese , it's not a term originally used by people outside the group, but the backdrop of racism is still there, upping the ante, and we see a similar appropriation of a pejorative term as part of a reclaiming of cultural identity and building up of personal self-esteem and group-level ethnic pride.

Note, at least one of the Urban Dictionary entries uses the spelling "esé," but there is a helpful audio recording at https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=esé which shows that the accent is not used to indicate a stress on the last syllable, as in formal Spanish, but rather, to indicate that the whole word is stressed when used as a greeting.

Key uses the term to build the character he's playing, to make the comedy sketch work.

Key and Peele's comedic work with racial stereotypes has been described this way:

Key & Peele’s best sketches are subversive, but still sensitive to the fact that if you joke about a marginalized group, you don’t do so in a vacuum. They’re aware that comedy can either “punch up” against the established hierarchy or “punch down” against people who are already vulnerable.

In other words, it's complicated.

In some contexts you also use "eseeeeeee", with a phonetically longer ending "e", just to express something similar to "that's it dude" or "you rock!". This is specially used in parodying comedian shows.

Hope it helps.

• @Carlos Alejo de hecho, cosas como hope it helps sí suele recomendarse que se elimine. Interesante debate en What should I keep out of my posts and titles? - no es documentación oficial, pero fue escrita por un Community Manager de Stack Exchange . Enlaza con lo que comenté el otro día de Escribamos títulos de preguntas más concretos y textos con menos ruido . –  fedorqui Commented Jun 16, 2016 at 7:44
• @fedorqui, entiendo la postura y la respetaré si es mayoritaria, pero no la comparto. Yo entiendo que ese tipo de mensajes no se pongan en páginas como la Wikipedia, que es un sitio enciclopédico, pero los sitios de Stack Exchange en el fondo no dejan de ser foros. Si a un usuario le sale del alma decir que espera que su mensaje sea de utilidad, no veo por qué no respetarlo, yo me sentiría un poco mal si escribo eso con toda mi buena intención y me lo eliminan. Otra cosa es eliminar frases como "perdón por la respuesta tardía" y cosas así, que eso sí lo entiendo. –  Charlie Commented Jun 16, 2016 at 7:53
• @fedorqui yo propondría dejar el texto de "hope it helps" en la respuesta para no hacer sentir mal al usuario, pero avisarle de que su respuesta siempre ayuda y que no es necesario que lo escriba en el futuro. –  Charlie Commented Jun 16, 2016 at 7:54
• @CarlosAlejo dejemos este "hope it helps", vale. Este sería un buen debate para Spanish Language Meta . En general, coincido en que no hay que ser excesivamente puristas: en sitios como Stack Overflow (donde empecé yo) sí lo son porque hay una gran cantidad de actividad, por lo que es importante dejar el mínimo imprescindible para minimizar ruido. Muchas respuestas que vemos aquí que son apenas una línea se tienden a convertir en comentarios, por ejemplo. Volviendo a este caso, los elementos tangenciales a las respuestas las puede añadir el propio autor pero en comentarios, como estamos haciendo aquí ahora. –  fedorqui Commented Jun 16, 2016 at 8:19

Ese has multiple proper uses, such as Quiero ese coche, "I want that car!" Quiere ese coche, "Do you want that car?" It is also used predominantly in Mexican or Mexican American/Chicano slang as part of a greeting "Qvo (what's up) ese?" or depending on the intonation "Qvo ese!!!" (said with grit or malice) can be a challenge/confrontation of someone. I have also seen and heard it used with derogatory overtones (re: movie "Next Friday" and "Training Day"). That "Ese" or Eses" over there as the term for Mexican American/Chicano people.

• This is an interesting contribution, Cesar. the part that I didn't understand is "Qvo." Is it sort of an abbreviation for "Quiubo" (derived from "Qué hubo"? –  aparente001 Commented Jun 2, 2018 at 14:22
• @aparente001 indeed it is: q'vo –  jacobo Commented Jul 7, 2018 at 17:47

It's Mexican Spanish slang to refer to a person, analogous to tío, hombre etc (or dude, bro, man in English). It's not inherently derogatory, but could be used disparagingly in a certain context.

It's very distinctive of Mexican Spanish, so is often used as an easy marker in television etc to imply someone is Mexican, or generally 'hispanic' (since Mexican Spanish varieties are the biggest influence on US perception of the language as a whole).

e.g. Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle in Young Justice uses it frequently (a character of Mexican descent, growing up in El Paso, Texas).

ese, sa. ■ M. y F. supran. Persona indeterminada; "Estaba un ese esperando en la puerta del edificio". Academia mexicana de la lengua: Diccionario de mexicanismos

ese, -a. I. 1. m. y f. EU. Hombre o mujer. pop. RAE: Diccionario de americanismos - ese

ése ... 3. ( Mexico, vocative ) dude, guy, pal, man wiktionary.org - ése (Spanish)

If you say: "Que onda, ese" it's like "what's up, dude" . You wouldn't use this expression to address any person of respect such as your boss, your dad, your dad-in-law, etc. In fact, the use of this expression will give the worst impression unless it's said to a close friend. This expression is usually frowned upon and it's considered rude when it's said out of the slums.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged modismos coloquialismos cultura-de-masas lenguaje-peyorativo lenguage-despectivo or ask your own question .

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The Ultimate Guide to Mexican Names

Elisa Cinelli

If you would like to give a nod to your Mexican ancestry by choosing a Mexican name, you may want to research Mexican naming traditions and the history of Mexican names. Mexican naming traditions generally follow the same guidelines as other Latin and Spanish -speaking cultures, with some exceptions and specifications.

More:   The Ultimate Guide to Egyptian Names

Mexican First Names

In Spanish-speaking cultures , we see either one or two first names, but there are no middle names. For example, a girl may be called María or María Isabel. In the second case, the first name is composed of the two names María and Isabel, Isabel is not her middle name. This is called a composite name.

Many of the chosen names are religious or saint’s names . Mexico has been a Catholic country since the 1500’s and religion plays a major part in the culture, names included. The country has also spoken Spanish as its national language since around that same time, therefore the names used are generally Spanish and originated in Spain.

María Guadalupe is the most popular name for girls, and references Our Lady of Guadalupe , whose image is worshipped at the famous Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City and is the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world. The second most common name for girls is María, as the Virgin Mary is extremely important in Mexican culture.

José Luís is the most common chosen name for boys, with José being the Spanish translation of the name Joseph, the father of Jesus Christ. José Luís is followed by Juan and Miguel Ángel as the second and third most popular given names in Mexico.

Feminine and Masculine Spanish Names

Spanish first names are almost always gender-specific. It is very easy to tell if the name is male or female by listening to its ending vowel. Girl names nearly always end in an a. Examples are Juana, Alejandra, and Leticia.

Boy names often end in an o, and e, or a consonant, such as Pedro, Manuel, or Jorge.

Mexican Last Names

Mexican last names originated in Spain when the Spanish conquered Mexico and introduced their own language and culture to the native peoples. These surnames are still used today, but some are more common in Mexico than in Spain due to the geographical movement of people over time.

Many Spanish last names end in the suffix -ez which historically meant, “the son of”. For example, Eduardo Fernández means Eduardo, son of Fernándo. Eventually this way of naming evolved into the surname system that we use today, and the names stuck.

The most common last names in Mexico are: Hernández, García, Martínez, González, and Rodríguez.

Surname Conventions in Mexico

In Mexico and other Spanish-speaking cultures, children are given two last names--one from each parent. The father’s last name, known as the apellido paterno, is listed first, followed by the mother’s last name, or apellido materno. For example, a mother named Juana García Martínez and a father named Francisco Torres Cruz would give their children the two last names García Torres.

So according to Mexican naming tradition, a child may have four names (two first names and two surnames) or three names (one first name and two last names) in all. In the case of an absent or unknown father, a child is usually given the mother’s last name and would either have only one surname (the mother’s paternal last name) or both as identical to the mother’s last name. 

Surname conventions in Mexico can cause legal issues in the United States because when asked to list one last name, a person of Mexican descent would generally use their paternal last name even though their maternal last name comes last within their full name. In other words, Juan Gómez Estrada would be referred to as Mr. Gómez, not Mr. Estrada, while an American might assume that he was the latter. In the modern day, some families opt to legally register their children with just the paternal last name to avoid these issues. Still others decide to hold on to their own traditions and either hyphenate the two last names or list both as the full last name on an American birth certificate. 

When a couple marries in Mexico, they keep their own last names, rather than the wife changing her last name to her husband’s.

Accents in Spanish Names

Many vowels in Spanish are marked with an accent, such as the é in José. The Spanish language uses only one accent, the acute accent, and it signifies emphasis. This tells you how to pronounce a word by marking which syllable should be stressed. Every Spanish word has a syllable that is emphasized when it is spoken, but there is not always an accent mark because other conventions dictate which syllable should be stressed as well.

Most Popular Mexican Names for Boys

Religious names or names of historical significance have generally been used for boys and these names are still popular today . 

Many boy names end in -o like masculine nouns do in Spanish. You may see other vowels at the end but you will not see any boy names ending in -a (with the exception of María in the second part of a composite first name).

• Miguel Ángel
• Juan Carlos
• Francisco Javier
• See the full list of Mexican boy names here .

Most Popular Mexican Names for Girls

María is a very common name used for girls in Mexico because of the culture’s emphasis on the Virgin Mary. It is used alone or within a composite first name. María is such a popular name that girls who have it as the first part of a composite name are often referred to by the second part of their composite name, such as María de los Ángeles being called Ángela. 

Nearly every female name in Spanish ends in the suffix -a, which signifies a feminine noun. The only big exceptions here are the references to places or last names, like María del Carmen.

• María Guadalupe
• María del Carmen
• María Elena
• María de los Ángeles
• María de Jesús
• See the full list of Mexican girl names here .

Gender-Neutral Mexican Names

Finding a gender-neutral name is important to some parents, whether that’s because they want to be surprised by baby’s sex but they also want to be ready with a name or because they prefer to move away from gendering children. Finding a Mexican name that can work for a boy or a girl is not easy because the naming system is based on the feminine and masculine aspects of the language. Everything in Spanish is gendered linguistically, and while that does not mean that every feminine noun is considered female and every masculine noun is considered male, names usually do fit into one of those two categories. 

One exception is using the second first name María for a boy or the second first name José for a girl, mainly because these two names have such a strong religious significance.

Looking for more baby names and inspiration? Check out our Baby Name Center  and The Ultimate List of Aztec Names .

For more baby name inspiration check out these popular baby name lists:

• Top 1000 Most Popular Baby Girl Names in the U.S.
• Top 1000 Most Popular Baby Boy Names in the U.S.
• The 100 Coolest Baby Names in the World

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Saying the Mexican Names

The following essay was written by Davíd Carrasco , Neil L. Rudenstine Professor of the Study of Latin America, to mark the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, where a gunman killed 23 people and injured 23 others.

When I was seven years old, my father drove me across south Texas from Dallas to El Paso. My mother was waiting for us at my grandparents’ home, and I was thrilled to have this special time with “Big Dave.”

On our second day around noon we stopped at a roadside diner in the desert, but before we went in my father said to me, “When we go into this diner we have to sit at the counter and not in one of the booths. Do you know why?” “No,” I said. “Because we are Mexicans and some of these places won’t let us in.”

He continued, “If we get in without a problem, we sit at the counter so we can see them make the food we order. Do you know why?” he asked, teaching me.

“Because sometimes they will put sharp pieces of glass in the food to cut our mouths and drive us away.”

We went in and sat at the counter and ordered. I nudged as close to my father as I could without slipping off the stool. We watched every move the gringa waitress made preparing the ham sandwiches and soup, and I remember feeling the hair stand up on the back of my neck when she placed the food before us. My father stealthily looked inside the sandwiches before signaling we could eat.

Behind the counter was a green sign that I was to see many times in Texas. “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.” Halfway through the lunch I looked down the counter and saw on the side wall another sign. It had the outline of a gun on it above the words “No dogs or Mexicans allowed.”

Years later, on August 3, 2019, another man drove for 10 hours through the night on the same road, now a four-lane highway heading into El Paso. He was on a mission, not to put glass in the mouths of Mexicans, but to fire bullets into their bodies and drive others from the country. He arrived in El Paso and went to the Cielo Vista shopping center a few miles from my 95 year old mother’s longtime home. Inside the huge Walmart store, over 1,000 people (the majority Mexican Americans) were shopping, some for back-to-school supplies. 

The killer first entered the store to investigate the crowd. He returned to his vehicle to put on protective earmuffs and safety glasses, and then grabbed his high-powered assault-style rifle. Outside in the front of the store a youth girls’ soccer fund raiser was underway in the morning light. Young girls with family members had gathered to greet passersby, serve chicharrones and cold drinks, and ask for support.

Seeing that many in the group were Hispanics, the shooter opened fire. Jorge Calvillo García, a 61-year-old Mexican national, was one of the first to be killed. Jorge had come across the border from Juarez earlier that morning to visit his son’s El Paso family and support his granddaughter Emily. He threw himself in front of the girls at the attack and was cut down.

Juan de Dios Velázquez Chairez, a pastor from Juarez, was also killed in the parking lot. Screams and moans filled the air, the cry of “Shooter,” “Tiros,” and “Vamanos” went up and people crouched down, hide, and ran.

The killer can be seen entering the store in video footage as he began to pick off Mexicans in his range of vision. “He shot at us individually, trying to get us individually,” said Maribel Latin from her hospital bed. “Then he came walking toward us to make sure we all got shot again and killed. All I could say was ‘God, please take care of my children and please don’t let him do anything to my daughter.’”

David Johnson, one of the two non-Hispanics killed in the attack, stepped in front of his wife and nine-year-old daughter as the shooter cut him down from a few feet away. Arturo Benavidez, a 59-year-old Army veteran and bus driver for Sun Metro in El Paso, was at the self-checkout line while his wife Patricia was in the rest room. She made it safely out of the store later, but the killer shot Arturo to death in the front of the store.  

He killed 86-year-old Angie Silva E nglisbee, mother of six and grandmother of 21, in the checkout line.

The attacker turned toward other panicked and confused shoppers and killed 15-year-old Javier Rodriguez, Adolfo Cerros Hernández, Sara Ester Regalado Moriel, Gloria Irma Marquez, and Maria Eugenia Legarreta Rothe, who was on her way to pick up her daughter at the airport before she stopped at the Walmart to make some purchases.

The gunman shot anyone who looked Hispanic, regardless of their age. Seventeen were 56 or older, two were in their 40s, two in their 20s, and one was 15. A mother, Jordan Anchondo, 25, was murdered as she shielded her 2-month-old son from the gunfire. Her 23-year-old husband, Andre, was shot to death when he tried to shield them.

One witness said that the killer avoided Blacks and Whites, and while that may be true, at least one African American, Chris Grant, was terribly wounded. Alexander Gerhard Hoffman, a German national living in Juarez, was among the slaughtered. The assassin, stone faced, later told police his intention was to kill “as many Mexicans as possible.”

Before the attack, the killer had uploaded his manifesto, “An Inconvenient Truth,” onto the 8chan message board known to be favored by white supremacists. In it, he railed against “race mixers,” claiming that the U.S. should be split into territories based on race. “I support the Christchurch shooter and his manifesto. This attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas.” Four months earlier, the white supremacist Christchurch shooter had invaded two mosques in New Zealand killing 51 people because “ white people were being replaced by foreigners.”

The killing action on August 3, 2019, stretched out for months as one victim, Guillermo Gomez, died eight months later on April 26, 2020. What mattered the most to the killer was their ethnicity. The news reports said that among the dead were 13 Americans, eight Mexicans, and one German.

But when we read and say the names, we realize that 12 of the 13 “Americans” were Mexican Americans, and that is why they were killed. While this attack extends the centuries-long brutal history of Anglo violence against Mexicans and Mexican Americans, as well as the Trump-era public attacks on these same peoples, my purpose in telling this story one year on from this latest atrocity is to invite readers to say the names , speak out loud the Mexican names.

In our time when the names of African American victims of police violence have powerfully raised our national consciousness about racism and hatred toward people of color, take heed of these Mexican and other names of the people in the El Paso attack.

This past Christmas I visited the Cielo Vista Walmart to see the "Grand Candela," the 30-foot tall golden obelisk monument to honor the people killed at the Walmart. The monument is located on the same highway that my father and I traveled into El Paso many years ago.

I was disappointed that there was no plaque with the list of all the names of those killed . After talking with the Mexican American guard who spoke of his admiration for my father’s El Paso work with Mexican American poverty, I stood for a few moments in silence. I pulled out the list of names from my pocket and whispered them to myself.

Besides the ones listed above were Ivan Manzano, Raul Flores, Teresa Sanchez, Luis Alfonzo Juarez, Leonardo Campos Jr., Elsa Libera Márquez, Maribel Campos, María Flores, and Margaret Reckard. As I said the names, a pain slowly arose in my tongue as though one of those sharp pieces of glass my father warned me about so many years ago had somehow lodged in my mouth to drive me into silence. I took the pain and continued saying the Mexican names.

— by Davíd Carrasco, Neil L. Rudenstine Professor of the Study of Latin America, with a joint appointment with the Department of Anthropology in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences

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My Latinx Last Name Used To Make Me Feel Othered. Now, It Makes Me Proud

This essay is part of Más Que Suficiente, More Than Enough , an Elite Daily series that celebrates the parts of Latinx culture that make each writer proud of their identity. In this piece, writer Natasha Miñoso shares how her relationship with the tilde in her last name evolved and impacted her Latinx identity. Para leer este ensayo en español, desliza hacia abajo.

Growing up in Miami felt like a blur. Spanish at every grocery store, croquetas at family parties, and café con leches after every meal. Latinx culture was the only one I’d ever known — I was surrounded by other Latinxs in school, heard stories of Cuba (where my parents immigrated from in the ‘60s and ‘70s), and listened to “Suavemente” on Noche Buena every year. I was surrounded by classmates with names like mine — Nuñez, Muñoz, De La Peña. I never thought twice about the tilde above my own last name , Miñoso, which makes the n sound like the “gn” in “gnocchi.” This was my normal — until I left for college in 2012.

I studied psychology at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, a city with a population more than 60% white . At orientation, my peers were surprised to learn I had just moved from Miami because I didn’t “have the accent” — a hodgepodge of Spanglish pronounced with a Latinx twang. I also don’t present as a typical Latina: I have dark, wavy hair, dark eyes, and a lighter complexion that pales in the winter and bronzes in the summer. I didn’t know how to respond to their comments. If I didn’t “look or sound” Cuban in their eyes, then who was I?

These questions and more were at the forefront of my mind when, sometime during my first year at school, I started introducing myself as Natasha Minoso instead of Miñoso. During class introductions, professors would regularly stumble over the ñ, and I’d be quick to say, “You can just use ' Minoso,' that’s fine.” I thought it’d be easier for non-Spanish speakers to pronounce.

The ñ can be traced back to Latin , nearly 1,000 years ago. As the Spanish language evolved from Latin, scribes introduced the ñ as shorthand to stand in for double ns in a word. Over time, that sound grew into its own, distinct letter from nn . Its place in the alphabet is so unique that it’s become a universal symbol of Hispanic culture. But despite its rich history, I wasn’t proud of it. I didn’t want the attention it garnered when people asked me about my heritage or struggled to pronounce my last name. Knowing I’d have to explain my background every time I introduced myself rather than just saying my name and moving on to the next question like everyone else, made me anxious. To be honest, I was relieved to phase out the ñ — I didn’t have to explain my last name or where I was from, and could quietly blend into my new surroundings. It felt like purposefully getting lost in a crowd, and I liked it.

I became the most accommodating, non-Cuban looking, non-Miami sounding version of myself, thinking it made it easier for others to accept me.

My last name wasn’t the only thing I changed about myself. After the third time my friends asked me to skip the Spanish songs on my pre-game playlist because they “didn’t get Pitbull,” I started listening to more American pop like Maroon 5 and The Lumineers. I began to feel insecure speaking Spanish, even to my abuelos, because I had adopted the neutral, Floridian accent of my white peers. I became the most accommodating, non-Cuban looking, non-Miami sounding version of myself, thinking it made it easier for others to accept me. In hindsight, I was trying to avoid explaining my heritage because a small part of me felt it was lesser — felt I was lesser — for being Latina. Even if I explained who I was and where I came from, I didn’t think I would find the acceptance I’d come to crave.

I moved back to Miami after college graduation while I applied for jobs. After three years of changing everything about myself, I felt more out of place than ever. My abuela called me a “gringa” over dinner because I stumbled over my Spanish. I stopped dancing salsa with my abuelo at Christmas because I was embarrassed by my lack of rhythm. I couldn’t recognize myself in Miami, and it broke my heart. How could I feel so different in a place that once felt so familiar?

I was itching to start somewhere new, where I could go back to being the non-Latina version of myself I’d come to know . I bought a one-way ticket to New York in January 2016 and began a career in book publishing. I introduced myself as Natasha Minoso, the ñ absent only to me. When people asked where I had moved from, I was no longer surprised by their shock when I said I was from Miami and bilingual. Two years went by, and I forgot all about the ñ. I told myself it was just a letter with a squiggly line above it. All I had done was remove it.

Over time, I started to feel differently. One day at work, I came across a Facebook video of comedian Jenny Lorenzo depicting an abuela character, dressed head-to-toe in a gray wig, nightgown, and chancletas, making the kind of snarky comments only Latinx abuelas can get away with. She reminded me of my own abuela so much that I was cracking up, dying to show it to someone who would get it. But my coworkers didn’t think it was that funny — they didn’t get it. A few weeks later, I decided to check out a new Cuban bakery in my neighborhood. If I could bottle up the feeling of stepping inside for the first time, I’d label it “Violetas 2.0” and sell it at Sedano’s. It was pure nostalgia — the smell of Cuban coffee, the sound of Celia Cruz overhead. I was shocked at the pride I felt for my hometown. It was like time-traveling back to a younger version of myself — a girl who only knew life in South Florida, talking chisme with my friends and eating tostadas with café.

I snapped photos of my pastelitos and jokingly posted to Instagram with the caption, “psa: i’m putting the ñ back in my last name ☕️.” Publicly sharing this with the people in my life, both online and in real life, made me realize how much of myself I had sacrificed along with that little squiggly line. I added the ñ back to my social media pages and updated my work signature, too. I practiced saying it out loud at home, something I hadn’t done in what felt like forever — the sound feeling foreign in my mouth. The next day at work, my boss asked me how to pronounce it because she didn’t want to get it wrong. It was a profound moment where I realized teaching the ñ to someone takes no more effort than saying I’m from Miami, and that yes, I know, my accent isn’t telling at all.

I’m still insecure about my Spanish, but I’m working on it. I’ve started talking to my dad more frequently in Spanish over the phone, craving the fluency he has from growing up in Cuba and Puerto Rico. Through speaking my native language, the ñ sound feels less and less foreign every day.

Being Latina isn’t something I ever want to ignore again. The letter in my last name — the one that makes me feel intrinsically Latina — was created to make words easier to digest. Instead of appreciating it, I saw it as something that made my life — made me — harder to understand. Now, it’s a love letter; an integral part of my story, one I’m excited to continue writing.

Para amar mi identidad Latinx, tuve que aprender a querer mi apellido

Español en cada supermercado, croquetas en todas mis fiestas de familia, y café con leche después de cada comida — así fue mi experiencia creciendo en Miami. La cultura latina fue la única que conocía, debido a mis compañeros de clase (todos latinos), las historias que escuchaba de Cuba, de donde emigraron mis padres en los años ’60 y ’70, y la canción “Suavemente” que escuchábamos en cada Noche Buena. Todos mis amigos tenían apellidos como el mío — Nuñez, Muñoz, De La Peña. Nunca pensé mucho en la tilde sobre mi propio apellido, Miñoso, hasta que fui a la universidad en el 2012.

Asistía a la Universidad de Florida Central en Orlando, una ciudad conformada por una población de más del 60% de anglos. En la orientación, cuando les informé que me había mudado de Miami, mis compañeros se sorprendieron porque no “tenía el acento” — una mezcla de spanglish con un toque latino. No me veo como una latina típica; tengo pelo rizo oscuro, ojos oscuros, y una complexión clara que se broncea durante el verano. Nunca sabía cómo responder a sus comentarios. Si no parecía ni sonaba Cubana, ¿quién era?

Estas preguntas y otras me influenciaron mucho durante mi primer año fuera de Miami. En algún momento durante ese año, empecé a presentarme como Natasha Minoso, en vez de Miñoso. Al principio de cada semestre nuevo, mis profesores siempre se tropezaban tratando de pronunciar la ñ, y yo les decía, “Usted me puede llamar Minoso, está bien.” Pensaba que sería más fácil pronunciar para la gente que no hablaba español.

La ñ traza sus raíces al latín, hace casi mil años. Cuando el castellano evolucionó del latín, las escribas introdujeron la ñ para representar dos ns en una palabra. Mientras tanto, este sonido se evolucionó a una letra distinta. Su lugar en el abecedario es una parte única del castellano, y se ha convertido en un símbolo universal de la cultura hispana. Pero a pesar de su historia, la tilde nunca hizo que me sintiera orgullosa. Nunca quería la atención que me tocaba cuando mis compañeros me preguntaban por mis raíces, o cuando les costaba pronunciar mi apellido. Si soy honesta, me alivió no usar la ñ — no tenía que explicar mi apellido o de dónde vine, y podía asimilar más fácilmente mi nuevo ambiente. Me sentía como que me había perdido en el muchedumbre, y me gustaba la sensación de ser anónima.

Me convertí en la versión más complaciente de mi misma, pensando que sería más fácil para que otros me aceptaran.

Mi apellido no fue la única cosa que cambié de mi. Después de la tercera vez que mis amigos me pidieron que cambiara las canciones en español en mi playlist porque no “entendían a Pitbull,” comencé a escuchar más pop Americano, como Maroon 5 o los Lumineers. Empecé a sentirme incómoda hablando español, aún con mis abuelos, porque había adoptado el acento neutral de mis compañeros anglo. Me convertí en la versión más complaciente de mi misma, pensando que sería más fácil para que otros me aceptaran. Ahora que miro hacia atrás, evadía tener que explicar mi herencia porque una parte de mi sentía que era menos — que yo era menos — por ser latina. Y si sí me tomaba el tiempo de explicar mis raíces y mi identidad, igual no pensaba que iba a encontrar la aceptación que anhelaba.

Regresé a Miami después de graduarme mientras solicitaba trabajo. Con tres años cambiando todo de mí, me sentí más alejada que nunca. Mi abuela me dijo “gringa” porque me costó hablar en español. Dejé de bailar salsa con mi abuelo en las navidades porque mi falta de ritmo me avergonzaba. No me podía reconocer en Miami, y me partía el corazón. ¿Cómo podía sentirme tan distinta en un lugar que hacía poco había sido tan familiar?

Ansiaba empezar de nuevo, en un lugar donde podía ser la versión más no-latina de mi; la que conocía bien. Compré un boleto de ida a Nueva York en enero del 2016 y empecé una carrera en la industria editorial. Me presentaba como Natasha Minoso, y yo era la única que notaba la ausencia de la ñ. Cuando me preguntaban de dónde era, su sorpresa al conocer que soy de Miami ya no me sorprendía a mi. Pasaron dos años, y nunca pensaba en la ñ. Solo era una letra con una línea ondulada, pensé. La saqué, y nada más.

Pero mis sentimientos cambiaron. Un día, vi un video en Facebook de la comediante Jenny Lorenzo vestida como una abuela, en una peluca gris, un camisón, y chancletas, diciendo chistes típicos de las abuelas latinas. Me dió risa por lo tanto que me hizo recordar a mi propia abuela — me moría por mostrarle el video a alguien que entendiera la broma. Pero mis compañeros de trabajo no les daba risa, no lo entendían.

Unas semanas después, decidí visitar una panadería cubana en mi vecindario. Si pudiera encapsular el sentimiento de entrar por la primera vez, lo llamaría “Violetas 2.0” y lo vendería en Sedano’s. Fue nostalgia pura — el olor de café cubano, el sonido de Celia Cruz. El orgullo que sentí por mi ciudad natal me sorprendió. Fue como viajar a una versión pasada de mi misma — una niña que solo conocía la vida en el sur de la Florida, chismeando con mis amigas, y comiendo tostadas con café.

Le tomé una foto a mis pastelitos y la subí a Instagram con la leyenda, “atención: estoy re-colocando la ñ en mi apellido ☕️.” Compartiendo este sentimiento con mis amistades, en las redes y en la vida real, me hizo notar cuánto había sacrificado con la tilde. Volví a agregar la ñ en mis páginas de redes sociales y actualicé mi firma en mi cuenta de email. Practicaba decirlo en voz alta en casa, algo que no había hecho en años. El sonido lo sentí extraño en mi boca. El día siguiente, en el trabajo, mi jefa me preguntó cómo se pronunciaba porque no quería equivocarse. Fue un momento profundo: me di cuenta de que enseñarle la ñ a alguien que quería aprender tomaba la misma cantidad de esfuerzo de decir que sí, soy de Miami, y sí, yo se que mi acento no la revela.

Todavía me siento insegura con mi español, pero lo estoy practicando. Ahora, hablo con mi papá en español por teléfono, anhelando la fluidez que él tiene por haber crecido en Cuba y Puerto Rico. Al hablar en mi lengua natal, el sonido de la ñ suena menos extraño cada día.

Ser latina es algo que nunca más quiero ignorar. La letra en mi apellido — la que me hace sentir intrínsecamente latina — fue creada para simplificar el lenguaje. En vez de apreciarla, la interpretaba como algo que hacía mi vida más difícil de entender — algo que me hacía a mí más difícil de entender. Ahora, la ñ es una marca de amor, una parte integral de mi historia, y una que quiero seguir contando.

This article was originally published on 02.14.20

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90+ Mexican Slang Words and Expressions (with Audio and Examples)

Looking to have a huge head start when you travel to Mexico?

You’ve gotta learn the slang.

In this post, I’m going to give you a brief introduction to the country’s unique version of Spanish—and by the time we’re done, you’ll be better prepared to navigate a slang-filled conversation with Mexicans!

The Most Common Mexican Slang Words and Expressions

1. ¡qué padre — cool, 2. me vale madre — i don’t care, 3. poca madre — really cool, 4. fresa — preppy.

• 5. ¡Aguas! — Watch out!

6. En el bote — In jail

7. estar crudo — to be hungover, 8. ¡a huevo — **** yeah, 9. chilango — someone from mexico city, 10. te crees muy muy — you think you’re something special, 11. ese — dude, 12. metiche — busybody, 13. pocho / pocha — a mexican who’s left mexico, 14. naco — tacky, 15. cholo — mexican gangster, 16. güey — dude, 17. carnal  — close friend, 18. ¿neta — really.

• 19. Eso que ni que — I agree

20. Ahorita — Right now

21. ni modo — whatever, 22. no hay tos — no problem, 23. sale — okay, sure, 24. coda / codo — someone who’s cheap, 25. tener feria — to have money/change, 26. buena onda — good vibes, 27. ¿qué onda — what’s up, 28. ¡viva méxico — long live mexico.

• 29. Pendejo — Jerk
• 30. Cabrón — Mean, not very smart, awesome
• 31. Pedo — Drunk, problem
• 32. Pinche — Ugly, cheap

33. Verga — Male genitalia

34. chingar — to f***, 35. ¡no manches / ¡no mames — no way, don’t mess with me, 36. está cañón — difficult, 37. chido — nice, cool, 38. chulo / chula — good-looking person, 39. ¿a poco — really, 40. ¡órale — right on, 41. chela — beer, 42. la tira — the cops, 43. ¿mande — what, 44. suave — cool, 45. gacho — mean, 46. ándale — hurry up, 47. chale — give me a break, 48. chamba / chambear — work, 49. bronca — problem, 50. paro — favor, 51. chido / chida — cool, 52. padre — awesome, 53. chingón — badass, 54. chamba — job, 55. vato — guy, 56. morro — kid, 57. jefa / jefe — mom/dad, 58. vieja / viejo — girlfriend, wife/boyfriend, husband, 59. carnalito — little brother, 60. chiquitín — little one, 61. chavito / chavita — young guy/young girl, 62. camión — bus, 63. chulear — to show off, 64. chingar — to bother, 65. estrenar — to wear or use something for the first time, 66. guacala — yuck, 67. huevón — lazy person, 68. jato — car, 69. mamacita — attractive woman, 70. pisto — money, 71. ¿que pex — what’s up, 72. rola — song, 73. ¿sapbe — what’s up , 74. valedor — friend, 75. vato loco — crazy guy, 76. wacha — look / watch, 77. ¡ya nos cargó el payaso — we’re in trouble, 78. cuate — buddy, 79. jeta — face, 80. madrazo — a strong hit, 81. nalga — buttocks, 82. ñero — dark-skinned person, 83. pacheco — drunk, 84. pirata — fake, 85. relajo — mess, 86. riata — belt, 87. sobres — okay, got it, 88. tapado — conceited, 89. troca — truck, 90. zarape — blanket or shawl, what you need to know about mexican spanish, resources for learning more mexican slang, quick guide to mexican slang, na’atik language and culture institute, why you should learn mexican slang, mexican slang quiz: test yourself, and one more thing….

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Mexican slang could be a language of its own. 

Just a word of warning: some terms on this list may be considered rude and should be used with caution.

This phrase’s literal translation, “How father!”, doesn’t make much sense at all, but it can be understood to mean “cool!” or “awesome!”  

¡Conseguí entradas para Daddy Yankee! (I got tickets for Daddy Yankee!)

¡ Qué padre , güey! (Awesome, dude!)

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This phrase is used to say “I don’t care.”  It’s not quite a curse, but it can be considered offensive in more formal situations.

If used with the word que  (that), remember you need to use the subjunctive . 

Me vale madre lo que haga con su vida. (I don’t care what he does with his life).

Literally translated as “little mother,” this phrase is used to describe something really cool.

Once again, this phrase can be considered offensive (and is mostly used among groups of young men).

Esta canción está poca madre . (This song is really cool).

Literally a “strawberry,” a fresa is not something you want to be.

Somewhat similar to the word “preppy” in the United States , a fresa is a young person from a wealthy family who’s self-centered, superficial and materialistic.

Ella es una fresa. (She’s preppy/rich/stuck up).

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5. ¡Aguas! —  Watch out!

This phrase is used throughout Mexico to mean “be careful!” or “look out!”

Literally meaning “waters,” it’s possible that this usage evolved from housewives throwing buckets of water to clean the sidewalks in front of their homes.

¡Aguas!  El piso está mojado. (Be careful! The floor’s wet).

The word  bote  means “can” (as in a can of soda).

However, when a Mexican says someone is  “en el bote,”  they mean someone is  “in the slammer,” “in jail.”

Adrián no puede venir, ¡está en el bote ! (Adrian can’t come, he’s in jail!)

Estar crudo  means “to be raw,” as in food that hasn’t been cooked.

However, if someone in Mexico tells you they’re crudo, it means they’re hungover because they’ve drunk too much alcohol. 

Estoy muy crudo hoy. (I’m really hungover today).

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Huevos (eggs) are often used to denote a specific part of the male anatomy —you can probably guess which—and they’re also used in a wide variety of slang phrases.

¡A huevo! is a  vulgar way to show excitement or approval. Think “eff yeah!” without the self-censorship.

¡Ganamos el partido! (We won the game!)

¡A huevo! Me alegra. (**** yeah! I’m glad)

This slang term means something, usually a person, who comes from Mexico City.

Calling someone a chilango is saying that they’re representative of the culture of the city.

¿Eres chilango ? (Are you from Mexico City?)

This literally means “you think you’re very very” but the slang meaning is more of “you think you’re something special,”  or “you think you’re all that.”

Often, this is used to power down someone who’s boastful or thinks they’re better than anyone else.

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Te crees muy muy desde que conseguiste ese trabajo. (You think you’re all that since you got that job).

Supposedly, in the 1960s members of a Mexican gang called the Sureños  (“Southerners”) used to call each other “ese” (after the first letter of the gang’s name). 

However, in the ’80s, the word ese  started to be used to refer to men in general, meaning something like “dude” or “dawg”.

It’s also possible  ese  originated from expressions like  ese vato (“that guy”), and from that, the word  ese started to be used to refer to a man.

“¿Qué pedo, ese ?” “What up, dawg?”

Metiche is a slang word for someone who loves to get the scoop on everyone’s everything. 

Some people would refer to this sort of person as a busybody!

¿De qué hablaste con tu amiga? (What did you talk about with your friend?)

Nada, ¡no seas tan metiche ! (Nothing, don’t be such a busybody!)

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This Mexican slang term refers to a Mexican who’s left Mexico or someone who’s perhaps forgotten their Mexican roots or heritage.

It can be used as just an observatory expression, but also as a derogatory slang word used to point out that someone’s at fault for not remembering their heritage.

Mis primos pochos vienen a visitar este fin de semana. (My  pocho cousins are coming to visit this weekend).

Naco is a word used to describe  someone or something poorly educated and bad-mannered.

The closest American equivalent would be “tacky” or “ghetto.”

The word has its origins in insulting indigenous and poor people, so be careful with this word!

Me parece un poco naco . (It seems a bit tacky).

Although the word  cholo  can have several meanings, it often refers to Mexican gangsters, especially Mexican American teens and youngsters who are in a street gang.

Vi unos cholos en la esquina. (I saw some gang members on the corner).

This one is pronounced like the English word “way” and it’s one of the most quintessential Mexican slang words.

Originally used to mean “a stupid person,” the word eventually morphed into a term of endearment similar to the English “dude.”

¡Apúrate, güey ! (Hurry up, dude!)

Carnal  comes from Spanish  carne  (meat).

It’s perhaps for this reason that carnal  is used to describe a close friend who’s like a sibling to you, carne de tu carne  or flesh of your flesh. 

Allí está mi carnala Laura . (There’s my close friend Laura).

“Truth?” or “really?” is what someone’s saying when they use this little word.

This popular conversational interjection is used to fill a lull in the chatter or to give someone the opportunity to come clean on an exaggeration.

Oftentimes, though, it’s just said to express agreement with the last comment in a conversation  or to clarify something. 

¿ Neta ? Pero ¿qué pasó? (Really? But what happened?)

19. Eso que ni que —  I agree

Don’t try to translate this literally—just know that this convenient phrase means that you’re in agreement with whatever’s being discussed. 

Es muy bueno para bailar. (He’s really good at dancing).

Sí, baila mejor que todos, eso que ni que . (Yes, he dances better than everyone, no doubt about it).

This translates as “little now” but the small word means right now, or at this very moment.

¡Tenemos que irnos ahorita ! (We have to leave right now!)

Ni modo , which can be literally translated as “not way” or “either way,” is possibly one of the most popular Mexican expressions. 

It’s generally used to say “eh, whatever” or “it is what it is.”

Ni modo  can also be used with  que  (that) and a present subjunctive to say you can’t do something at the moment or there’s no way you’d do it.

It’s like saying “there’s no way” or “are you nuts?” in English.

Ni modo , hay mejores chicas/chicos en el mundo. (Oh well, there are better girls/guys in the world)

Ni modo que conteste, güey. (There’s no way I’m answering, man).

No hay tos  literally means “there’s no cough,” but it’s used to say “no problem” or “don’t worry about it.”

Lo siento, me olvidé mi billetera. ¿Tienes plata? (Sorry, I forgot my wallet. Do you have cash?)

No, pero no hay tos , comamos en la casa. (No, but no problem, let’s eat at home).

Sale  means “okay,” “sure,” “yeah” or “let’s do it,”  so it’s normally used in situations when someone suggests doing something and you agree.

It can also be used as a question tag when you want someone’s opinion or to see if they’re on the same page as you.

¿Vamos al concierto? (Shall we go to the concert?)

Sale , pero tendrás que prestarme lana. (Sure, but you’ll have to lend me some money.)

Codo literally means “elbow” in English but Mexican slang has turned it into a term used to describe someone who’s cheap.

It can be applied to either gender, so pay attention to the -a or -o ending of this descriptive noun.

¡Ese codo ni pagó la cena! (That cheapskate didn’t even pay for dinner!)

Feria means “fair” so the literal translation of this expression is “to have or be fair.”

However, feria also refers to coins when it’s used in Mexico. So, the phrase basically means “to have money” or “to have pocket change.”

¿Tienes feria ? (Do you have money?).

Buena onda literally translates to “good wave” but it’s used to indicate that there are good vibes or a good energy present.

Tienes buena onda . (You give off good vibes). 

This slangy Mexican expression translates to “what wave?” but is a cool way to ask “what’s up?”

It’s another feel-good, casual conversational expression that really adds a lot of good feelings to any chat.

¿ Qué onda ? ¿Cómo has estado? (What’s up? How have you been?)

¡Viva México! literally means “long live Mexico!”

It’s the unifying phrase that says the country should grow, prosper and see happy times for its citizens and visitors.

It’s often shortened to “¡viva!” which means the same as the full phrase .

¡Ganamos el mundial! ¡ Viva México ! (We won the world cup! Long live Mexico!)

29. P endejo — Jerk

Pendejo is one of those magical words that appear in almost every Spanish variety but have a different meaning depending on where you are.

In Mexico, it has a rather rude meaning: “unpleasant or stupid person,” “jerk.”

No me hables, pendejo . (Don’t talk to me, jerk).

30. C abrón — Mean, not very smart, awesome

While technically cabrón means “big [male] goat,” it has plenty of other meanings.

Used as a rude word its meaning is quite similar to pendejo, but cabrón  is higher in the rudeness scale: meaning unpleasant, mean or not very bright.

But change the tone a bit and you might, instead, be saying someone is  awesome!

The word can even be used in place of the f-bomb, very often following bien— very, to mean you’re really awesome at doing something.

Soy bien cabrón jugando a Minecraft. (I’m friggin’ awesome at playing Minecraft).

31. P edo — Drunk, problem

A  pedo  is a fart, literally. 

This word has lots of different meanings, depending on how you say it and the situation:

• Estar pedo — to be drunk
• Peda — drinking session
• Ser buen pedo — to give off good vibes
• Ser mal pedo — to be unfriendly or hostile
• ¿Qué pedo? — what’s up?
• Pedo  — problem or argument
• Ponerse al pedo — to want a fight, or to have an attitude of defiance
• ¿Qué pedo contigo, cabrón? (What’s your problem, man?)

Here’s Mexican actress Salma Hayek explaining qué pedo  and other Mexican slang:

32. P inche — Ugly, cheap

The word  pinche  may sound quite unproblematic for many Spanish speakers because it literally means “kitchen helper.”

However, when in Mexico, this word goes rogue and acquires a couple of interesting meanings.

It can mean “ugly,” “substandard,” “poor” or “cheap,” but it can also be used as an a ll-purpose enhancer, much like the meaner cousin of “hecking” is used in English.

Eres un pinche loco . (You’re effing crazy).

Originally, the  verga  was the horizontal beam from which a ship’s sails were hung, but this word has come to mean a man’s schlong in Spanish nowadays.

You can also use this word as a standalone exclamation with the meaning of the f-bomb. 

Here are a few more uses of the word:

• Creerse verga — to think you’re all that
• Valer verga — to be worthless
• Irse a la verga — a “lovely” way of telling someone to eff off
• Tus palabras me valen verga . (Your words mean nothing to me).

Chingar  means “to do the deed.” It’s Mexico’s version of the f-word. Simple. 

Chingar is a word that’s prevalent in Mexican culture in its various forms and meanings. 

¡Deja de chingar ! (Stop f***ing around!)

These two phrases are essentially one and the same, hence why they’re grouped together.

Literally meaning “don’t stain!” and “don’t suck,” these are used to say  “no way! You’re kidding me!” or  “don’t mess with me!”

No manches is totally benign, but no mames is considered vulgar and can potentially be offensive.

¡No manches!   ¿Pensé que habían terminado? (No way! I thought they had broken up?)

Here are actors Eva Longoria and Michael Peña explaining  no manches  and other Mexican slang words:

When you say that something is está cañón  (literally, “it’s cannon”), you’re saying “it’s hard/difficult.”

Some believe that the phrase arose as a more polite euphemism for está cabrón.

As a Spaniard, I find this meaning quite funny, because  estar cañón  means “to be very attractive” in Castilian Spanish.

El examen estuvo bien cañón . (The exam was very difficult).

This word is simply a fun way to say “nice” or “cool” in Mexican Spanish.

Despite its status as slang, it’s not vulgar or offensive in the least—so have fun with it!

It can be used as both a standalone exclamation (¡qué chido! — cool!) or as an adjective.

Tienes un carro bien chido. (You have a really cool car). 

When it comes to Mexico, chulo  is used as an adjective to refer to people you find hot, good-looking or pretty.

You can also use it to refer to things with the meaning of “cute,” however if you travel to Spain, don’t use this word to refer to people—since a chulo  is “a pimp.” 

¿Viste ese chulo en la panadería? (Did you see that hot guy in the bakery?)

There’s no way to translate this one literally, it just comes back as nonsense. Mexicans, however, use it to say “really?” when they’re feeling incredulous.

Ale dijo que ganó la lotería! (Alex said that he won the lottery!)

¿ A poco ? ¿Lo crees? (Really? Do you believe him?)

This exclamation basically means “right on!” or in some situations is used as a message of approval like “let’s do it!”

Órale is another Mexican slang word that’s considered inoffensive and is appropriate for almost any social situation. 

It can be said quickly and excitedly or offered up with a long, drawn-out “o” sound.

Creo que te puedo ganar. (I think I can beat you). 

¡Órale! A ver. (Bring it on! Let’s see).

Simple enough, chela is a Mexican slang word for  beer.

In other parts of Latin America, chela is a woman who’s blond (usually with fair skin and blue eyes).

No one is quite sure if there’s a link between the two, and it seems unclear how the word came to mean “beer” in the first place.

¿Quieres tomar unas chelas ? (Do you want to have a few beers?)

A tira  is a “strip,” but when you use it as a Mexican slang word, you mean  the cops.

¡Aguas! ¡Ahí viene la tira ! (Watch out! The fuzz are coming!)

This is used in Mexico in place of ¿qué? or ¿cómo? to respond when someone says your name.

Luis, ¿estás allí? (Luis, are you there?)

¿ Mande ? ¿Me llamaste? (What? Did you call me?)

Technically, suave  translates to “soft,” but  suave  is a way to say “cool.”

¡Ese mural es suave ! (That mural is cool!)

This literally means “slouch,” but it’s used to say something is mean or ugly . 

Enrique es gacho . (Enrique is mean.)

Andar  means “to walk,” so  ándale  is a shortened version of the verb combined with the suffix “- le ,” a sort of grammatical placeholder that adds no meaning to the word.

Use this to tell someone to hurry up . 

¡ Ándale ! Necesitamos estar ahi a las 8. (Hurry up! We need to be there at 8.)

Chale  doesn’t really have a clear literal translation, but it’s most often used to show your annoyance. 

It’s similar to the English “give me a break.”

Su coche tardará dos semanas en arreglarse. (Your car will take two weeks to fix.)

¡Chale!   (Give me a break!)

Chamba and chambear mean “work”  and “to work,” respectively.

No me gusta mi chamba. (I don’t like my job.)

The word bronca means “problem,” and it’s used in expressions like no hay bronca (“no problem”) and tengo broncotas (“I’m in big trouble”).

Mi familia tiene broncas con mi hermano. (My family has problems with my brother.)

Though the official word for “favor” in Spanish is the cognate favor, paro is another way of referring to a favor in Mexico.

Hazme el paro means “do me a favor.”

Puedes hacerme el  paro ? (Can you do me a favor?)

Though “cool” in Spanish is commonly expressed as genial , chido is a colloquial way of describing something as cool or awesome in Mexican slang.

Esa película estuvo bien chida . (That movie was really cool!)

Similar to chido , padre is another slang term used to convey that something is awesome or great.

¡La fiesta estuvo bien padre ! (The party was really awesome!)

Chingón is an informal term used to describe something or someone as extraordinary, impressive, or badass.

¡Ese tatuaje está bien chingón ! (That tattoo is really badass!)

Chamba is a slang term used to refer to work or a job.

Tengo mucha chamba esta semana . (I have a lot of work this week.)

Vato is a slang term for a guy or dude.

Ese vato es muy amable . (That guy is very friendly.)

Morro is an informal term for a young boy.

Mi hermanito es un buen morro . (My little brother is a good kid.)

Jefa and jefo, which both mean “boss” are just informal terms for “mom” and “dad.”

Mi jefa siempre cocina delicioso . (My mom always cooks deliciously.)

Vieja and viejo , which technically mean “old,” are similar to the English saying of “old man,” referring to a boyfriend, or “old lady,” referring to one’s girlfriend or wife.

Salí con mi vieja al cine . (I went to the movies with my girlfriend.)

Carnalito is a diminutive form of carnal , referring to a younger brother.

Mi carnalito siempre quiere jugar . (My little brother always wants to play.)

Chiquitín is an affectionate term for someone small or younger.

¡Hola, chiquitín ! ¿Cómo estás? (Hi, little one! How are you?)

These are affectionate slang terms for a young man or young woman.

Ese chavito es muy talentoso . (That young guy is very talented.)

Camión which literally means “truck,” is a colloquial term for a bus.

Voy a tomar el camión a la escuela . (I’m going to take the bus to school.)

Chulear  literally means “to pimp,” but in Mexico, it’s a verb used to describe showing off or flaunting something.

Deja de chulear tu nuevo auto . (Stop showing off your new car.)

Here’s a great explanation of  chulear  (in Spanish):

Chingar is a versatile verb with various meanings, but it can be used to express annoyance or bother.

No me chingues , estoy ocupado . (Don’t bother me; I’m busy.)

Estrenar is a verb used when someone wears or uses something for the first time.

Voy a estrenar mis zapatos nuevos hoy .

This expression is an informal way to express disgust or dislike, similar to saying “yuck” in English.

¡ Guacala ! Esta comida no tiene buen sabor . (Yuck! This food doesn’t taste good.)

Used to describe someone who is lazy, this term is derived from the word huevo, meaning “egg,” which is associated with laziness.

Mi amigo es muy huevón , siempre está descansando . (My friend is very lazy, he’s always resting.)

While the standard term for “car” is coche , jato is a slang word used in Mexico to refer to a car or automobile.

Vamos en mi jato al cine esta noche . (Let’s go to the movies in my car tonight.)

Used as a term of endearment, mamacita refers to an attractive or beautiful woman.

¡Ay, mamacita , estás muy guapa hoy! (Oh, beautiful, you look very pretty today!)

This slang term is used to refer to money, similar to saying “cash” in English.

Necesito un poco de pisto para el transporte . (I need some cash for transportation.)

An informal and colloquial way of asking “what’s up?” or “what’s going on?”

¿ Qué pex, cómo estás? (What’s up, how are you?)

Used to refer to a song or piece of music, rola is a common slang term in Mexican Spanish.

Esta rola es mi favorita. (This song is my favorite.)

An alternative and informal way of asking “what’s up?”

Sapbe , nos vemos en el centro . (What’s up, see you downtown.)

Literally meaning “brave,” this slang term simply means “good friend.”

Mi valedor siempre está allí para ayudarme . (My friend is always there to help me.)

Describes someone as a crazy or wild guy, often used in a lighthearted or affectionate manner.

Mi amigo es un vato loco , siempre hace cosas divertidas . (My friend is a crazy guy, always doing funny things.)

Wacha , which is taken from the English “watch,” is an informal and colloquial way of saying “look” or “watch.”

Wacha esa película, está buenísima . (Look at that movie, it’s really good.)

This expression is used to convey that a difficult or troublesome situation has arisen. It literally means “the clown has already killed us.”

Se nos olvidaron las entradas, ya nos cargó el payaso . (We forgot the tickets, we’re in trouble.)

An informal term used to refer to a friend or buddy, indicating camaraderie.

Ese cuate siempre me ayuda cuando lo necesito . (That buddy always helps me when I need it.)

Used to refer to someone’s face, especially when expressing a negative emotion. It’s just like the English “mug.”

No me gusta su jeta , siempre está enojado . (I don’t like his face, he’s always angry.)

This slang term is used to describe a strong hit or punch.

Le di un madrazo al balón y entró en la portería . (I gave the ball a strong hit and it went into the goal.)

This slang term, literally “cheek,” is used informally to refer to this part of the body.

Le dieron un golpe en la nalga . (They gave him a hit on the buttocks.)

Although “dark-skinned person” is a direct translation, ñero is a colloquial term used in some regions to describe someone with a dark complexion. Be careful not to offend with this one.

No importa si eres ñero o güero, todos somos iguales . (It doesn’t matter if you’re dark-skinned or fair-skinned, we are all equal.)

Pacheco is often used in Mexico to describe someone who is intoxicated or inebriated.

No puedo hablar con él cuando está pacheco . (I can’t talk to him when he’s drunk.)

Go deeper into  pacheco  here:

Literally meaning “pirate,” this term is often used in Mexican slang to describe counterfeit or knockoff items.

No compres ese reloj, es pirata . (Don’t buy that watch, it’s fake.)

This literally means “relax,” but in Mexican slang, it means a mess, or a chaotic or disorderly situation.

No quiero más relajo en casa . (I don’t want more mess in the house.)

This slang term for a belt is often used in casual or regional contexts.

Me apreté la riata para que no se me cayera el pantalón . (I tightened the belt so my pants wouldn’t fall.)

Literally meaning “envelopes,” this term means “I got it,” a casual way of expressing understanding or acknowledgment.

—¿Vamos al cine mañana? —¡ Sobres ! (Are we going to the movies tomorrow? – Okay, got it!)

While “covered” is the direct translation, tapado is a slang term used in some regions to describe someone who is arrogant or full of themselves.

No me gusta hablar con él, está muy tapado . (I don’t like talking to him, he’s very conceited.)

Instead of the standard camión , troca is commonly used in Mexico to refer to a pickup truck or a large vehicle.

Vamos a cargar la troca con las cosas para la mudanza . (Let’s load the truck with the things for the move.)

Zarape specifically refers to a colorful Mexican blanket or shawl often used for warmth or decoration.

Me envolví en el zarape porque hacía frío . (I wrapped myself in the blanket because it was cold.)

Check out this video to hear some of these Mexican slang words in context:

Here’s some good things to know about Mexican Spanish:

• In Mexican Spanish, the pronoun t ú is used for the second-person familiar form.  Mexicans don’t use v os . 
• The pronoun vosotros isn’t used in Mexican Spanish. Mexicans use ustedes even in informal settings.
• Mexican Spanish features more loanwords from English than other national dialects.  You will hear a lot more English words in Mexican Spanish than other dialects.

This is a compact volume filled with definitions, example sentences, online links and lots of relevant information about Mexican Spanish.

There are more than 500 words and phrases included in this book. 

“Mexislang” is the end result of a blog that was intended to teach readers about Mexican slang. 

It offers insight into the history of slang expressions  and tips for how to use each word or phrase.

The option to stay with Mexican families to immerse in the language is a great way to learn about culture—including slang!

But if you’re not up for traveling, courses are also available in online one-on-one or small group format.

Online classes focus on grammar and conversational skills, so you’re sure to pick up plenty of slang along the way.

Also, they have a fantastic blog that’s both informative and entertaining.

FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

Try FluentU for FREE!

Like with English, Spanish is spoken differently depending on the country—in fact, you could argue that Spanish differs even more than English!

In order to understand and be understood in Mexican Spanish, it’s pretty essential that you learn some common Mexican slang. 

If you’re not convinced, here are some reasons you might want to learn the lingo:

• To avoid awkward situations.  Don’t count on every Spanish word being transferable from place to place—something that is perfectly polite in Spanish from Spain could be considered rude in Mexican Spanish.
• If you’re learning Spanish in the United States. Considering that the States has such a huge Mexican population, chances are that you’ll encounter lots of Mexican Spanish speakers!
• For travel in Mexico.  For both safety reasons and to ensure smooth travels, it’s a good idea to brush up on your slang.
• To sound more fluent.  Of course, learning slang words is one of the surest ways of making your Spanish sound more natural and fluent!

Slang is perfect for instantly turning “program” Spanish into street Spanish.

More importantly, they offer insight into some cultural nuances that language learners don’t always get to see.

Use slangy terms to power up conversations and go from basic to vivid in a heartbeat!

If you've made it this far that means you probably enjoy learning Spanish with engaging material and will then love FluentU .

Other sites use scripted content. FluentU uses a natural approach that helps you ease into the Spanish language and culture over time. You’ll learn Spanish as it’s actually spoken by real people.

FluentU has a wide variety of videos, as you can see here:

FluentU brings native videos within reach with interactive transcripts. You can tap on any word to look it up instantly. Every definition has examples that have been written to help you understand how the word is used. If you see an interesting word you don’t know, you can add it to a vocab list.

Review a complete interactive transcript under the Dialogue tab, and find words and phrases listed under Vocab .

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentU’s robust learning engine. Swipe left or right to see more examples of the word you’re on.

The best part is that FluentU keeps track of the vocabulary that you’re learning, and gives you extra practice with difficult words. It'll even remind you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. Every learner has a truly personalized experience, even if they’re learning with the same video.

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Mexican Slang 101: Master Spanish Slang Used in Mexico

Mexican slang, often called "Mexican Spanish slang" or "Mexican colloquial language," is rich and diverse. It's important to note that slang can vary across different regions of Mexico, and some expressions may not be universally understood. 

In this article, we'll explore the meanings behind phrases like "cholo" and "no mames," providing you with real-life examples that you're sure to encounter. Mexican slang adds a unique flair to conversations, reflecting the country's rich cultural culture (and sometimes funny).

However, it's essential to approach it with care, as some expressions can be perceived as impolite or offensive in specific contexts. This guide, featuring three examples for each term, aims to equip you with the knowledge to navigate Mexico with a better understanding of its colorful and diverse linguistic landscape. ¡Vámonos! 

Mexican Slang that expresses emotions, reactions, or feelings

• Neta: Truth, really.

¿Neta no sabías? (You really didn't know?)

Neta que yo si te amo (For real that I love you)  

¿Es neta? (Is it true?)

• Padre: Cool, great.

Esa fiesta estuvo bien padre. (That party was really cool.)

Que padre es tu ropa de hoy (Your outfit today is great)

¡Que padre estuvo el viaje! (The trip whas really cool!)

• Chido or Chida: Cool, awesome.

Esa película estuvo bien chida (That movie was really cool.)

El lugar está chido (The place is awesome)

Oye y qué tal el concierto, ¿Chido? (Hey and how was the concert, Cool?)

• ¡Aguas!: Watch out, be careful.

Aguas con ese perro. (Watch out for that dog.)

¡Aguas, se aproxima una tormenta! (Alert, a storm is approaching!)

¡Aguas! Me gané la lotería. (No way! I won the lottery.)

• Mande: What, or excuse me, you can use it when you didn't hear what someone said.

¿Mande? (What?) 

Mande, no te escuché. (What? I didn't hear you.)

Mande, ¿Podrías repetir por favor? (Excuse me, Could you repeat please?)

• No Mames: Literally, it means "Don't suck" or "Don't suck it." However, it can express disbelief, surprise, or frustration, like saying "No way!" or "Are you kidding me?". 

Remember that "mames" is derived from a vulgar expression, so while "no mames" itself is not vulgar, it is a colloquial phrase and may not be appropriate in all settings.

¡No Mames Guey! (No kidding, bro!)

¡No mames! ¿En serio ganamos el partido? (No way! Did we really win the game?)

No mames, ¿crees que voy a caer en esa trampa? (Come on, do you really think I'll fall for that trick?)

• Chale: this is an expression of disappointment or disapproval.

Chale, no tengo dinero. (Darn, I don't have money.)

Chale, no deberías haber hecho eso. (Dude, you shouldn't have done that.)

Chale, olvidé mi celular en casa. (Ugh, I forgot my phone at home.)

• Machín: Very, a lot, or intensely.

Está machín caliente hoy. (It's very hot today.)

¡Esa película estuvo machín buena! (That movie was extremely good!)

Ese coche es machín caro. (That car is extremely expensive.)

• Chingón or Chingona: Awesome, excellent, or cool. 

¡Esa película estuvo bien chingona! (That movie was really awesome!)

¿Fuiste al museo? Está chingón (Did you went to the museum?, is excellent ) 

Tu nuevo celular es muy chingón (Your new cellphone is really cool)

• Está cañón: It's tough or difficult.

Hacer ejercicio todos los días está cañón. (Exercising every day is tough.)

Los tiquetes están muy caros, está cañon viajar así (The tickets arevery expensive, is really difficult to travel like that) 

Estudiar para el examen final está cañón. (Studying for the final exam is tough.)

Mexican Slang that describes people

• Cuate: Friend, buddy.

Voy a salir con mis cuates. (I'm going out with my buddies.)

Este cuate está bien elegante (This buddy is very elegant) 

Estoy muy orgulloso de mi cuate (I’m very proud of my friend) 

• Chismoso o Chismosa: Gossipy, someone who likes to gossip.

No seas chismoso. (Don't be so gossipy.)

La señora de la esquina es bien chismosa (The lady at the corner is really gossipy) 

A veces, me gusta ser chismoso (Sometimes I like to be gossipy)

• Güey: Dude, guy. Depending on context, it can be used affectionately or as an insult.

¡Ay güey, qué onda! (Hey dude, what's up!)

¡No mames, güey, me asustaste! (Dude, seriously, you scared me!)

Vamos al cine, güey. (Let's go to the movies, buddy.)

• Naco or naca: Used to describe someone as low-class or lacking sophistication. However, it can be offensive, so use it with caution.

No seas naco. (Don't be tacky/low-class.)

Viste con ropa muy naca. (You dress in very tacky clothes.)

No seas naco, comportate mejor. (Don't be tacky, behave better.)

• Jefa or Jefe: Mom,Dad or boss.

Mi jefa no me dejó salir ayer. (My mom didn't let me go out yesterday.)

Vamos a salir, ¿te apuntas, jefe? (We're going out, are you coming, buddy?)

Tú eres el jefe aquí. (You're the boss here.)

• Cholo: it often refers to someone associated with a particular subculture characterized by a distinctive style, including baggy clothing, tattoos, and a certain attitude. 

Mira a ese cholo con los tatuajes. (Look at that guy with the tattoos, he looks like a cholo.)

El barrio está lleno de cholos. (The neighborhood is full of cholos.)

¿Qué onda, cholo? ¿Cómo estás? (What's up, dude? How are you?)

• Cafre: Someone rough, rude, or uncouth.

Ese tipo es un cafre. (That guy is rude.)

Es tan cafre, siempre interrumpiendo a los demás. (He's so rude, always interrupting others.)

¡Deja de ser tan cafre, no puedes hablar así! (Stop being so rough, you can't speak like that!)

• Cuateco: Describe someone or something as elegant, stylish, or sophisticated. 

Hoy quiero vestirme bien cuateco para la reunión. (Today, I want to dress stylishly for the meeting.)

Siempre ha tenido un estilo cuateco, incluso en la universidad. (He/she has always had a sophisticated style, even in college.)

A ella le encanta lucir un look cuateco en eventos importantes. (She loves showcasing a stylish look at important events.)

Mexican Slang that are actions or situations

• Chamba: Job or work.

Estoy buscando chamba. (I'm looking for a job.)

Esta es mi primera chamba. (This is my first job) 

Mañana tengo mucha chamba en la oficina. (Tomorrow, I have a lot of work at the office.)

• Bronca: Problem or trouble.

Tuve una bronca en el trabajo. (I had a problem at work.)

Hubo una bronca en el bar anoche. (There was a problem at the bar last night.)

Tuve una bronca con el coche esta mañana. (I had a problem with the car this morning.)

• Pedo: Having a problem, trouble, or situation - Or being really drunk. 

No hay pedo. (No problem.)

Tuve un pedo en el trabajo. (I had a problem at work.)

Estaba muy pedo anoche. (I was very drunk last night.)

• Cotorreo: Hanging out or having a good time.

Vamos a echar cotorreo. (Let's go have some fun.)

La fiesta estuvo llena de cotorreo. (The party was full of fun.)

Siempre hay buen cotorreo en ese bar. (There's always a good time at that bar.)

• Chingar: This word can have various meanings depending on the context, including to bother, annoy, or work hard.

No me chingues, estoy ocupado. (Don't bother me, I'm busy.)

Hay que chingarle para tener éxito. (You have to work hard to be successful.)

Está lloviendo a chingar. (It's raining like crazy.)

• Aguantar vara: To endure or tolerate a difficult situation.

Hay que aguantar vara en el trabajo. (We have to endure a lot at work.)

En el ejército, aprendí a aguantar vara. (In the army, I learned to endure hardships.)

Esta semana ha sido difícil, pero hay que aguantar vara. (This week has been tough, but we have to endure it.

• Peda: Party or getting drunk.

Vamos a echar la peda este sábado. (Let's party this Saturday.)

La peda estuvo increíble. (The party was amazing.)

¿Te unes a la peda esta noche? (Do you want to join the party tonight?)

Mexican Slang to describe things 

• Chela: Beer.

Voy por unas chelas. (I'm going for some beers.)

Esta noche vamos a comprar chelas. (Tonight, we're going to buy some beers.)

¿Quieres una chela? (Do you want a beer?)

• Varo: Money or cash.

No tengo varo para salir hoy. (I don't have money to go out today.)

Vamos a echar varo entre todos para la cena. (Let's all pitch in money for dinner.)

Me costó una flor de varo arreglar el coche. (It cost me a lot of money to fix the car.)

• Chacharita: Trinket or small item, often used to describe something cute.

Compré unas chacharitas en el mercado. (I bought some cute trinkets at the market.)

Siempre me gusta comprar chacharitas cuando voy de vacaciones. (I always like to buy trinkets when I go on vacation.)

Le regalé unas chacharitas que encontré en la feria. (I gave her some charming trinkets I found at the fair.)

• Chirris: Small, insignificant things or items.

No olvides recoger tus chirris antes de irte. (Don't forget to pick up your small things before leaving.)

Voy a ordenar los chirris en mi escritorio. (I will tidy up the small items on my desk.)

Antes de salir, recoge los chirris que dejaste en la sala. (Before leaving, pick up the small things you left in the living room.)

• Chunche: Thingamajig, gadget, or any unspecified object.

¿Dónde dejé el chunche ese? (Where did I leave that thing?)

Estoy buscando el chunche que necesito para arreglar la lámpara. (I'm looking for the thingamajig I need to fix the lamp.)

Vamos a guardar todos los chunches en la caja. (Let's put away all the miscellaneous items in the box.)

Mexican Slang emerges as a valuable tool for those seeking a deeper connection with the vibrant culture of Mexico. With expressions tailored to every emotion, description of people, daily actions, and things, learning Mexican Slang becomes essential to understanding conversations and situations.

For travelers, it serves as a linguistic compass, offering insights into Mexican communication and facilitating a more immersive experience. Knowing these expressions is not just about mastering words; it's about understanding the heartbeat of the culture, connecting with locals on a personal level, and enriching the overall experience.

As part of learning Spanish, for example, exploring Mexican Slang is not merely an academic exercise; it's an invitation to delve into the dynamic and practical side of the language. It's about embracing the diversity of expressions that mirror real-life scenarios and foster a genuine connection with the people and places encountered during the learning process. 

So, whether you're a language enthusiast, a traveler, or someone on a quest for cultural understanding, delving into Mexican Slang is a practical and enriching step toward mastering the art of communication in Spanish. ¡Hasta luego! (Until next time!)

What makes Mexican Slang unique?

Mexican Slang is a vibrant and dynamic language aspect that reflects Mexico's rich cultural tapestry. It incorporates regional influences, historical context, and a blend of indigenous and Spanish elements, making it a unique and colorful form of expression.

How do Mexicans use slang to express emotions?

Mexican Slang offers a nuanced way to express emotions, from joy and excitement to frustration and disbelief. Phrases like "¡No mames!" convey strong reactions, while "¡Qué chido!" expresses enthusiasm and approval in a distinctly Mexican way.

Are there regional variations in Mexican Slang?

Yes, Mexican Slang can vary regionally, with different areas adopting their own unique expressions and idioms. Local influences, historical factors, and cultural diversity contribute to Mexico's rich tapestry of slang.

Is it appropriate to use Mexican Slang in formal settings?

While Mexican Slang adds flair to casual conversations, using it with caution in formal settings is essential. In professional or formal contexts, sticking to standard Spanish is advisable to ensure clarity and respect.

How can non-Spanish speakers learn and understand Mexican Slang?

Learning Mexican Slang involves immersing oneself in the language, culture, and daily interactions. Conversing with native speakers, watching Mexican movies or TV shows, and exploring regional expressions can help non-Spanish speakers grasp the nuances of Mexican Slang.

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What Does "Ese" Mean?

ese = dude, bro, homie

Ese is also the singular masculine form of the Spanish demonstrative pronoun meaning this , as well as a letter in the Spanish alphabet .

As a term of address , this term was popularized in Spanish-speaking regions of the United States. The word on the street is that it came about as a shorthand way for speakers of Mexican Spanish to say ese vato or ese güey ( that dude ).

While not commonly used in Mexico, you're quite likely to hear it in California, for example. But, ¡aguas! ( be careful! ) In some parts of California ese is used by members of certain gangs to self-identify. Most of the time, though, it just means dude or bro .

Check out these examples of ese .

Love finding out what words mean?! Check out the following articles!

• What Does "Ay, Dios Mío" Mean?

• What Does "¡Arriba, Arriba! ¡Ándale, Ándale!" Mean?

• What Does "¿Qué Hace?" Mean?

• What Does "Dale" Mean?

• What Does "Buen Provecho" Mean?

• What Does "¿Qué Pasa?" Mean?

• What Does "¿Cómo Está Usted?" Mean?

• What Does "¡Olé!" Mean?

• What Does "Mucho Gusto" Mean?

• What Does "Chiquita" Mean in English?

• What Does "Oye Cómo Va" Mean?

• What Does "Tiempo" Mean?

• What Does "Otra Vez" Mean?

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Translations dictionary

or esse [ es -ey] or [ ey -sey]

What does ese mean?

Ese , amigo , hombre . Or, in English slang, dude ,  bro , homey . Ese is a Mexican-Spanish slang term of address for a fellow man.

Related words

Where does ese come from.

Ese originates in Mexican Spanish. Ese literally means “that” or “that one,” and likely extended to “fellow man” as shortened from expressions like ese vato , “that guy.”

There are some more elaborate (though less probable) theories behind ese . One goes that a notorious Mexican gang, the  Sureños  (“Southerners”), made their way from Mexico City to Southern California in the 1960s.  Ese is the Spanish name for letter S , which is how the gang members referred to each other. Or so the story goes.

Ese is recorded in English for a “fellow Hispanic man” in the 1960s. It became more a general term of address by the 1980s, though  ese remains closely associated (and even stereotyped) with Chicano culture in the US.

Ese is notably found in the Chicano poetry of José Antonio Burciaga and Cheech & Chong comedy routines (Cheech Marin is Mexican-American.)

White confusion over ese was memorably parodied in a 2007 episode of the TV show South Park . On it, the boys think they can get some Mexican men to write their essays , but them men write letters home to their eses .

Examples of ese

Who uses ese?

For Mexican and Mexican-American Spanish speakers,  ese has the force of “dude,” “brother,” or “man,” i.e., a close and trusted friend or compatriot .

I needa kick it wit my ese's its been a minute — al (@a1anxs) February 1, 2019

It’s often used as friendly and familiar term of address…

Always a good time with my ese. 😎 pic.twitter.com/xxM4YroWDV — | Y | G | (@yg_monroe) January 12, 2019

…but it can also be more aggressively and forcefully.

Cypress Hill 2018: Who you tryin' ta mess with, ese? Don't you know I'm seeking professional help for my deep rooted emotional problemsssssss?!? — JAY. (@GoonLeDouche) June 30, 2018

“You’d have to be crazy to swipe left.” Who you tryna get crazy with, ese? Don’t you know I’m loco? Sorry, always wanted to say that. Anyway, swipe left. Might actually be crazy. — Why I Swiped Left (@LeftyMcSwiper) December 17, 2018

Ese is associated with Mexican and Chicano American culture, where it can refer to and be used by both men and women. The term is also specifically associated with Mexican-American gang culture.

What's up ese? pic.twitter.com/0vAQxZZ6SO — AlesiAkiraKitsune© (@AlesiAkira) January 21, 2019

It is often considered appropriative for people outside those cultures to use ese , especially since some non-Mexican people may use  ese in ways that mock Mexicans and Mexican-American culture.

This is not meant to be a formal definition of ese like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of ese that will help our users expand their word mastery.

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2012 --> 2012 352 pages. from $35.00

Hardcover ISBN: 9780804768603 Paperback ISBN: 9780804768610 Ebook ISBN: 9780804780551

This collection brings together a group of important and influential essays on Mexican history and historiography by Eric Van Young, a leading scholar in the field. The essays, several of which appear here in English for the first time, are primarily historiographical; that is, they address the ways in which separate historical literatures have developed over time. They cover a wide range of topics: the historiography of the colonial and nineteenth-century Mexican and Latin American countryside; historical writing in English on the history of colonial Mexico; British, American, and Mexican historical writing on the Mexican Independence movement; the methodology of regional and cultural history; and the relationship of cultural to economic history. Some of the essays have been and will continue to be controversial, while others—for example, those on studies of the Mexican hacienda since 1980, on the theory and method of regional history, and on the "new cultural history" of Mexico—are widely considered classics of the genre.

About the author

Eric Van Young is Distinguished Professor of History at the University of California, San Diego. His works include The Other Rebellion: Popular Violence, Ideology, and the Struggle for Mexican Independence, 1810–1821 (Stanford University Press, 2001; recipient of the Bolton-Johnson Prize).

—Alan Knight, St. Anthony's College, University of Oxford

—Susan Deans-Smith, Bulletin of Spanish Studies

—R. Douglas Copy, Canadian Journal of History

"Van Young's work is characterized by a zeal for theoretical reflection and a determination to allow primary sources to speak for themselves, although always under the narrator's gentle, ironic and skeptical prodding. . . This is a beautifully written and intellectually sparkling collection of essays. Van Young invites us to share his epistemological anxieties, urging scholars to be rigorous and skeptical in the interrogation of primary sources, in the selection of disciplinary boundaries and methodologies and in the consideration of the spatial context in which histories are told. Writing Mexican History will become a standard work for advanced undergraduates and postgraduates embarking upon independent research in Mexican and Latin American history.—Guy Thomson, Journal of Latin American Studies

— History in Review

—William F. Connell, The Americas

—Margaret Chowning, University of California at Berkeley

—Gilbert M. Joseph, Yale University

Contact Strategies

Heather F. Roller

Oaxaca Resurgent

A. S. Dillingham

New World of Gain

Brian P. Owensby

Vendors' Capitalism

Ingrid Bleynat

Social Change, Industrialization, and the Service Economy in São Paulo, 1950-2020

Francisco Vidal Luna and Herbert S. Klein

Our Comrades in Havana

Radoslav Yordanov

Transnational Palestine

Nadim Bawalsa

Indigenous Autocracy

Jaclyn Ann Sumner

Unexpected Routes

Tabea Alexa Linhard

Forging Ties, Forging Passports

Adrift on an Inland Sea

Hal Langfur

Argentina in the Global Middle East

Lily Pearl Balloffet

6 Mexican Slang Words You Need to Know

Slang words are arguably one of the most important parts of fully understanding another language—but they’re not always easy to pick up on. Historically speaking, slang has always been spoken, not written down, so new words and meanings arise from word-of-mouth in any given community or society. In that sense, the internet is a gamechanger, but where to start? And with what Spanish dialect?

With Mexican Spanish, you’re in luck, because many of its slang words start with the same two letters, “ch,” and have the same “che” (pronounced “chay”) sound. Our third “ Speaking of Spanish ” video covers six Mexican slang words you need to know to sound like a local, all of which start with “ch.” If you’re feeling confident after watching our video, keep practicing—and learn a few more!—from a classic Mexican music group, Café Tacvba , whose song “ Chilanga Banda ” is well known for being chock full of “ch” Spanish words.

“Ch” Mexican slang words to check out

There is no shortage of Spanish words to express that you like something, but chido is a good colloquial option to say “cool” or “great” instead of the more classic muy bueno or increíble . Chido doesn’t exist in other Spanish dialects nor does it have an original meaning that it’s been repurposed from. It’s a word that can express agreement, approval, excitement, and general positive feelings about places, situations, events, things…you name it! An example: Ese concierto estuvo muy chido. = That concert was very cool.

If something is “shoddy” or “of really poor quality,” you’re going to want to use the slang word chafa . It’s not just reserved for objects, though. Chafa can also be used to refer to something that’s been pirated or is counterfeit; to describe a person or group of people, like a sports’ team; as an expression (¡ Qué chafa está…! ); and even as a verb ( chafear ) to describe something that has stopped working. An example: Esa película está muy chafa. = That movie was really bad.

3. chulo/chula

When you think of the word pretty, most think of bonito/bonita , maybe lindo/linda , and, if you’re in Spain, guapo/guapa . In Mexican Spanish, chulo / chula is the word you’re looking to use if you find something (or someone, but in a kind, non-sexual nor romantic way) really pretty. Use it to compliment a part of someone’s outfit or to tell someone you think they look cute today. (Oddly enough, across the world in Spain, chulo/chula means “cool”—with both positive and negative connotations, depending on context.) An example: ¡Esa camiseta está chula! = That shirt is pretty!

Have you ended up in a conversation about work? Instead of the more traditional trabajo , use the slang word chamba to refer to “work” or a “job.” A fun fact about the word chamba is that its origins are in Old Portuguese, eventually making its way to Latin America (Mexico and Peru, primarily). An example: Tengo mucha chamba. = I have a lot of work to do.

5. chambear

In true Spanish fashion, it wouldn’t be a word if you couldn’t turn it into at least five other variations of itself, and chamba is no exception. Chamba comes in verb form, too, which is chambear , or “to work.” On the other side of the Atlantic, Spain also has its own noun-verb combo deal for the “work” and “to work” that deviates from the standard trabajo / trabajar , which is curro and currar .

An example: Tengo que chambear hasta tarde. = I have to work until late.

“A beer by any other name would taste as sweet”…That’s how that quote goes, right? Let’s just hope that’s true, because in Spanish, there are many different ways to refer to this one simple beverage. The traditional word for “beer” is cerveza , but in Mexico, you’ll want to say chela . In parts of Latin America, the literal translation of chela is “blonde,” which is why some light-haired women in Mexico have Chela as their first name. Since the color is almost an exact match to your standard lager, it makes sense that chela stuck as a slang word for beer, too. And if you haven’t had enough “ch” words yet, Mexican slang also uses the word cheve for “beer,” too. An example: Pásame una chela. = Hand me a beer.

Choose from these “ch” slang words, too

• The verb chachalaquear means “to talk a lot” or “to be a chatterbox.” Someone who is chachalaqueando is probably talking too loudly and insistently and coming off as very annoying.
• Instead of using muchacho or muchacha or niño or niña , try out the Mexican slang term for “boy” or “girl,” which is chango or changa .
• Normally, you’d say someone is bajo if they’re short (referring to their height), but Mexican slang calls for the word chaparro . 
• What’s up, chavo ? This slang word typically means “dude,” but can also mean “guy”—often referring to a younger man.
• Throw some heat on your sentence by adding che to the beginning of it, which is an emphatic “hey!” to really get someone’s attention. In other Spanish speaking countries, it can also mean a colloquial way to refer to a friend, like “bro,” “mate,” “pal,” and so on.
• You know that person who can’t help but constantly brag about stuff? Typical chiflado , which means “show-off,” “spoiled brat,” or “know-it-all” in Mexican slang.
• Have you ever met someone from Mexico City? Anyone from there is a chilango , which simply means “citizen of/native to Mexico City.”
• We all love a little bit of chisme , or “gossip,” right? This Mexican slang word also exists as an adjective— chismoso or chismosa —which is used to describe “someone who is gossipy/loves to gossip.”
• Author Profile
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• Everything You Need to Know for an Intercontinental Move Back to the U.S.
• Knowing When to Call It: How I Made The Hard Decision to Leave Europe
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Jackie Dreyer

From Wisconsin to southern Spain. Bilingual writer, editor, and translator. Never not looking for a great cup of coffee. That friend who stops to pet every dog.

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100 Badass and Popular Mexican Boy Names with Meanings

Mexican boy names offer a fascinating blend of tradition, cultural heritage, and modern appeal. While Spanish or Hispanic names may sometimes overshadow them, many options range from well-known classics to unique and masculine choices.

To help you navigate this delightful journey of choosing a name for your little boy, let’s explore a collection of entertaining stories behind some of the coolest 100 Mexican boy names.

We added information such as pronunciation, variations, and famous individuals who bear these names, ensuring that your precious niño will have a name that brings joy and resonates with his Mexican roots.

In This Article

100 Powerful and Common Mexican Male Names

We included some cute, powerful, old, and some of the most common Mexican boy names here.

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Exalted, mountain of strength
• Pronunciation: AIR-uhn
• Variations: Aron, Aharon, Haroun
• Namesakes: Aaron Burr (Vice President of the United States), Aaron Paul (Actor), Aaron Rodgers (NFL Quarterback)

Aaron is a common Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "exalted" or "enlightened." It is a widely recognized name with biblical roots. Aaron Burr, the third Vice President of the United States, is a notable namesake, known for his controversial political career and his infamous duel with Alexander Hamilton.

• Meaning: Man, earth
• Pronunciation: ah-DAN
• Variations: Adam
• Namesakes: Adán Cortés Salas (Mexican Actor), Adán López (Footballer), Adán Sánchez (Singer)

Adán is a unique Mexican name meaning "man" or "earth." Adán Cortés Salas, a Mexican actor, has made notable contributions to the entertainment industry with his talent and performances.

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: From the city of Adria
• Pronunciation: ah-DREE-ahn
• Variations: Adrian, Adriano
• Namesakes: Adrián Fernández (Race Car Driver), Adrián Beltré (Baseball Player), Adrián Lamo (Computer Hacker)

Adrián is a Mexican name derived from the city of Adria in Italy. Adrián Fernández is a renowned Mexican race car driver who has achieved great success in the motorsport world by winning multiple championships throughout his career.

• Meaning: Great, magnificent
• Pronunciation: ah-goo-STIN
• Variations: Augustin, Augustine
• Namesakes: Agustín Lara (Composer), Agustín Carstens (Economist), Agustín de Iturbide (Mexican Emperor)

Agustín, derived from the Latin word "Augustus," carries the meaning of "great" or "magnificent." It is a name associated with eminence and distinction. Agustín Lara is a celebrated Mexican composer who is renowned for his romantic ballads.

• Origin: Celtic
• Meaning: Handsome, cheerful
• Pronunciation: AL-an
• Variations: Allan, Allen
• Namesakes: Alan Turing (Mathematician), Alan García (Former President of Peru), Alan Shearer (Footballer)

Alan is a Mexican name of Celtic origin meaning "handsome" or "cheerful." Alan Turing, a prominent mathematician and computer scientist, made groundbreaking contributions to the field of computer science and played a crucial role in breaking the Enigma code during World War II.

• Origin: Spanish
• Meaning: Noble, bright
• Pronunciation: al-BER-to
• Variations: Albert, Albrecht
• Namesakes: Alberto Juantorena (Olympic Athlete), Alberto Fujimori (Former President of Peru), Alberto Salazar (Athletics Coach)

Alberto is a common Mexican boy's name meaning "noble" and "bright." Alberto Juantorena is a Cuban Olympic athlete who won gold medals in the 400m and 800m races.

• Meaning: Defender of mankind
• Pronunciation: ah-leh-HAHN-dro
• Variations: Alexander, Alexandre
• Namesakes: Alejandro González Iñárritu (Film Director), Alejandro Sanz (Singer), Alejandro Jodorowsky (Filmmaker)

Alejandro is a common Mexican boy's name meaning "defender of mankind." Alejandro González Iñárritu is an acclaimed Mexican film director who has received numerous awards for his visionary storytelling and impactful films.

• Meaning: Noble and ready
• Pronunciation: ah-LOHN-so
• Variations: Alfonso
• Namesakes: Alonso Quijano (Fictional Character), Alonso Cano (Painter), Alonso de Ercilla (Poet)

Alonso is a Mexican boy's name meaning "noble" and "ready." Alonso Quijano, famously known as Don Quixote, is a fictional character from Miguel de Cervantes' novel, symbolizing idealism and chivalry.

• Meaning: Love
• Pronunciation: ah-MOR

Amor is a cute Mexican boy's name meaning "love." It is a name that embodies affection and tenderness, representing one of the most powerful emotions. The name itself serves as a beautiful reminder of the love and joy your child brings to your life.

• Meaning: Priceless, praiseworthy
• Pronunciation: ahn-TOH-nee-oh
• Variations: Anthony, Anton
• Namesakes: Antonio Banderas (Actor), Antonio Gaudi (Architect), Antonio Vivaldi (Composer)

Antonio is a badass Mexican name with Latin roots that carries the meaning of "priceless" and "praiseworthy." Antonio Banderas, a celebrated Spanish actor, has achieved international acclaim for his performances in numerous films.

• Meaning: Noble, courageous
• Pronunciation: ahr-TOO-roh
• Variations: Arthur
• Namesakes: Arturo Toscanini (Conductor), Arturo Vidal (Footballer), Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (Pianist)

Arturo is an old Mexican boy's meaning "noble" and "courageous." Arturo Toscanini is a renowned conductor who achieved international recognition for his exceptional musical interpretations and influential leadership in the field of classical music.

• Origin: Scandinavian
• Meaning: Father of peace
• Pronunciation: AHK-sel
• Namesakes: Axel Springer (Media Entrepreneur)

Axel is a Mexican name of Scandinavian origin meaning "father of peace." Axel Springer is a prominent German media entrepreneur who founded Axel Springer SE, one of the largest European media corporations.

• Meaning: Son of the right hand
• Pronunciation: ben-hah-MEEN
• Variations: Benjamin
• Namesakes: Benjamín Solari Parravicini (Artist)

Benjamín is a Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of the right hand." Benjamín Solari Parravicini is an Argentine artist known for his prophetic artwork, which depicted various significant events and figures of the 20th century.

• Origin: Germanic
• Meaning: Brown, bear-like
• Pronunciation: BROO-noh
• Namesakes: Bruno Mars (Musician), Bruno Bettelheim (Psychologist), Bruno Pontecorvo (Physicist)

Bruno is a Mexican name of Germanic origin meaning "brown" and "bear-like." One notable namesake is Bruno Mars, a Grammy Award-winning musician known for his captivating performances and versatile musical style, having achieved tremendous success in the music industry.

• Meaning: Free man
• Pronunciation: KAHR-lohs
• Namesakes: Carlos Santana (Musician), Carlos Slim (Business Magnate), Carlos Fuentes (Author)

Carlos is a badass Mexican boy's name origin meaning "free man." Carlos Santana is a legendary musician known for his iconic guitar skills and fusion of rock and Latin American music.

• Meaning: Castle
• Pronunciation: KAH-stel

Castel is a Spanish name meaning "castle." It is a unique and distinctive name that reflects strength and solidity.

• Meaning: Hairy
• Pronunciation: SEH-sahr
• Variations: Caesar
• Namesakes: César Chávez (Civil Rights Activist), César Milstein (Biochemist), César Pelli (Architect)

César is a powerful Mexican boy's name of Latin origin meaning "hairy." César Chávez is a renowned civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers union and dedicated his life to improving the working conditions and rights of farm laborers.

• Meaning: Follower of Christ
• Pronunciation: KRIS-tyahn
• Variations: Christian
• Namesakes: Cristian Ronaldo (Footballer), Cristian Castro (Singer), Cristian Mungiu (Film Director)

Cristian is a Mexican name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ." Cristian Ronaldo, a world-renowned footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

• Meaning: God is my judge
• Pronunciation: DAN-yuhl
• Namesakes: Daniel Day-Lewis (Actor), Daniel Radcliffe (Actor), Daniel Kahneman (Psychologist)

Daniel is a Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge." Daniel Day-Lewis is an esteemed actor who has received multiple Academy Awards for his outstanding performances and dedication to his craft.

• Meaning: Beloved
• Pronunciation: DAY-vid
• Namesakes: David Bowie (Musician), David Beckham (Footballer), David Hume (Philosopher)

David is a Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved." David Bowie is an iconic musician and performer known for his distinctive style, innovation, and influential contributions to the music industry.

• Meaning: Supplanter
• Pronunciation: dee-EH-goh
• Namesakes: Diego Rivera (Painter), Diego Maradona (Footballer), Diego Velázquez (Painter)

Diego is a Mexican name of Spanish origin meaning "supplanter." Diego Rivera is a renowned painter and muralist whose works have made a significant impact on the art world, depicting social and political themes in a distinctive style.

• Origin: English
• Meaning: Fortunate spearman
• Pronunciation: ED-gar
• Namesakes: Edgar Allan Poe (Writer), Edgar Degas (Painter), Edgar Mitchell (Astronaut)

Edgar is a Mexican name of English origin meaning "fortunate spearman." Edgar Allan Poe is a celebrated writer known for his macabre and influential works of poetry and fiction that continue to captivate readers worldwide.

• Meaning: Wealthy guardian
• Pronunciation: eh-DWAR-doh
• Variations: Edward
• Namesakes: Eduardo Saverin (Entrepreneur), Eduardo Galeano (Writer), Eduardo Paolozzi (Sculptor)

Eduardo is a Mexican name of Spanish origin meaning "wealthy guardian." It carries a sense of protection and prosperity. Eduardo Saverin is a co-founder of Facebook and successful entrepreneur, who played a pivotal role in the establishment and early growth of the social media giant.

• Meaning: My God is Yahweh
• Pronunciation: eh-LEE-ahs
• Variations: Elijah
• Namesakes: Elías Figueroa (Footballer), Elías Amador (Poet), Elías Piña (Political Leader)

Elías is a cute Mexican boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "my God is Yahweh." Elías Figueroa is a legendary footballer from Chile who is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in the history of South American football.

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: Rival
• Pronunciation: eh-mee-LYAH-noh
• Namesakes: Emiliano Zapata (Revolutionary Leader), Emiliano Sala (Footballer), Emiliano Insúa (Footballer)

Emiliano is a Mexican name of Italian origin meaning "rival." Emiliano Zapata is a leading figure in the Mexican Revolution and a champion for the rights of peasants and agrarian reform.

• Meaning: God is with us
• Pronunciation: eh-MAN-yoo-el
• Namesakes: Emmanuel Macron (Politician), Emmanuel Lubezki (Cinematographer), Emmanuel Petit (Footballer)

Emmanuel is a common Mexican name for boys of Hebrew origin meaning "God is with us." Emmanuel Macron is the current President of France, who has made notable contributions to French politics and international diplomacy.

• Meaning: Ever-ruler
• Pronunciation: EH-rik
• Variations: Eric
• Namesakes: Erick Barrondo (Racewalker), Erick Aybar (Baseball Player), Erick Morillo (DJ)

Erick is a Mexican name of Scandinavian origin meaning "ever-ruler." Erick Barrondo is a Guatemalan racewalker who won a silver medal in the 2012 Olympic Games, making history as the first Olympic medalist from Guatemala in athletics.

• Meaning: Crown
• Pronunciation: es-TEH-bahn
• Variations: Stephen, Steven
• Namesakes: Esteban Granero (Footballer), Esteban Ocon (Racing Driver), Esteban Gutiérrez (Racing Driver)

Esteban is a Mexican name of Spanish origin meaning "crown." Esteban Granero is a professional footballer known for his skill and versatility in midfield, who has played for several top European clubs throughout his career.

• Meaning: Strong, firm
• Pronunciation: EE-thahn
• Namesakes: Ethan Hawke (Actor), Ethan Allen (Revolutionary War Hero), Ethan Coen (Filmmaker)

Ethan is a Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "strong, firm." Ethan Hawke is a critically acclaimed actor and filmmaker who has received numerous accolades for his performances in both film and theater.

• Meaning: Lover of horses
• Pronunciation: feh-LEE-peh
• Variations: Philip
• Namesakes: Felipe VI of Spain (King), Felipe Massa (Racing Driver), Felipe Calderón (Politician)

Felipe is a Mexican name of Spanish origin meaning "lover of horses." Felipe VI of Spain is the current reigning monarch of Spain who fulfills ceremonial and representative roles promoting national unity and diplomacy.

• Meaning: Brave traveler
• Pronunciation: fehr-NAN-doh
• Namesakes: Fernando Botero (Artist), Fernando Alonso (Racing Driver), Fernando Valenzuela (Baseball Player)

Fernando is a Mexican name of Spanish origin meaning "brave traveler." Fernando Botero is a renowned Colombian artist known for his distinctive style of painting and sculpture, characterized by exaggerated proportions and unique perspectives.

• Pronunciation: fran-SIS-koh
• Variations: Francis
• Namesakes: Francisco Goya (Painter), Francisco Pizarro (Conquistador), Francisco Lindor (Baseball Player)

Francisco is a Mexican boy's name of Spanish origin meaning "free man." Francisco Goya is an influential Spanish painter and printmaker regarded as one of the most important artists in the Western artistic tradition.

• Meaning: God is my strength
• Pronunciation: GAY-bree-el
• Namesakes: Gabriel García Márquez (Writer), Gabriel Batistuta (Footballer), Gabriel Jesus (Footballer)

Gabriel is a Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my strength." Gabriel García Márquez is a Colombian writer and Nobel laureate known for his influential novels and magical realism literary style.

• Meaning: Spear strength
• Pronunciation: heh-RAHR-doh
• Namesakes: Gerardo Martino (Football Manager), Gerardo Ortiz (Singer), Gerardo Torrado (Footballer)

Gerardo is a Mexican name of Germanic origin meaning "spear strength." It conveys power and resilience. One notable namesake is Gerardo Martino, an Argentine football manager who has successfully coached various top clubs and national teams.

• Meaning: God is gracious
• Pronunciation: jee-oh-VAH-nee
• Namesakes: Giovanni Boccaccio (Writer), Giovanni Ribisi (Actor), Giovanni Reyna (Footballer)

Giovanni is a Mexican name of Italian origin meaning "God is gracious." Giovanni Boccaccio is an Italian writer and poet known for his significant contributions to literature, particularly with his work "The Decameron," a collection of stories that had a profound influence on storytelling.

• Meaning: Resolute protector
• Pronunciation: gee-YEHR-moh
• Variations: William
• Namesakes: Guillermo del Toro (Filmmaker), Guillermo Ochoa (Footballer), Guillermo Vilas (Tennis Player)

Guillermo is a common Mexican name of Germanic origin meaning "resolute protector." It signifies strength and guardianship. Guillermo del Toro is a Mexican filmmaker and director known for his exceptional work in the fantasy and horror genres, receiving critical acclaim and numerous awards for his cinematic achievements.

• Origin: Swedish
• Meaning: Staff of the Goths
• Pronunciation: goos-TAH-voh
• Namesakes: Gustavo Dudamel (Conductor), Gustavo Cerati (Musician), Gustavo Kuerten (Tennis Player)

Gustavo is a Mexican name of Swedish origin meaning "staff of the Goths." Gustavo Dudamel is a Venezuelan conductor and music director who gained international recognition for his exceptional talent and contributions to classical music.

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Steadfast, holding fast
• Pronunciation: ECK-tor
• Namesakes: Héctor Elizondo (Actor), Héctor Lavoe (Singer), Héctor Moreno (Footballer)

Héctor is a Mexican name of Greek origin meaning "steadfast, holding fast." Héctor Elizondo is an American actor known for his versatile performances in film and television.

• Meaning: Mind, intellect
• Pronunciation: HOO-goh
• Namesakes: Hugo Boss (Fashion Designer), Hugo Weaving (Actor), Hugo Sánchez (Footballer)

Hugo is a powerful Mexican name of Germanic origin meaning "mind, intellect." Hugo Boss is a German fashion designer known for his influential brand and significant contributions to the fashion industry.

• Meaning: Fire, fiery
• Pronunciation: eeg-NAH-syoh
• Variations: Ignatius, Iñaki
• Namesakes: Ignacio Allende (Revolutionary Leader), Ignacio Carrasco de Paula (Cardinal), Ignacio Piatti (Footballer)

Ignacio is a Mexican name of Spanish origin meaning "fire, fiery." Ignacio Allende was a key leader in the Mexican War of Independence who played a crucial role in the fight for freedom and self-governance.

• Origin: Russian
• Meaning: Gift of God
• Pronunciation: EE-vahn
• Variations: Ivan
• Namesakes: Iván Rodríguez (Baseball Player), Iván Zamorano (Footballer), Iván Calderón (Boxer)

Iván is a Mexican name of Russian origin meaning "gift of God." Iván Rodríguez is a former professional baseball player from Puerto Rico who achieved great success as a catcher, earning multiple awards and becoming one of the best in his position.

• Pronunciation: JAY-kub
• Variations: Jakob, Jake
• Namesakes: Jacob Lawrence (Artist), Jacob Zuma (Politician), Jacob Tremblay (Actor)

Jacob is a Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter." It represents the idea of taking the place of another. One notable namesake is Jacob Lawrence, an influential African-American artist known for his dynamic paintings that portrayed the African-American experience and played a significant role in shaping modern art.

• Pronunciation: HY-meh
• Variations: Jamie
• Namesakes: Jaime Lannister (Fictional Character), Jaime Camil (Actor), Jaime Rodríguez Calderón (Politician)

Jaime is a Mexican boy's name of Spanish origin meaning "supplanter." Jaime Lannister is a fictional character from the popular series "Game of Thrones" known for his complex storyline and character development.

• Origin: Basque
• Meaning: New house
• Pronunciation: hah-VYER
• Namesakes: Javier Bardem (Actor), Javier Hernández (Footballer), Javier Solana (Politician)

Javier is a Mexican boy's name of Basque origin meaning "new house." It signifies a fresh start or new beginnings. Javier Bardem is a Spanish actor known for his versatile performances and acclaimed roles in both Spanish and international films.

• Meaning: God is salvation
• Pronunciation: heh-SOOS
• Variations: Jesus
• Namesakes: Jesús Navas (Footballer), Jesús Soto (Artist), Jesús Molina (Footballer)

Jesús is a strong Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is salvation." Jesús Navas is a Spanish professional footballer known for his speed and skill as a winger who has represented both club and country at the highest level.

• Meaning: Yahweh is God
• Pronunciation: JOH-el
• Namesakes: Joel Embiid (Basketball Player), Joel Coen (Filmmaker), Joel Osteen (Televangelist)

Joel is a traditional Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh is God." Joel Embiid is a Cameroonian professional basketball player who has achieved great success in the NBA by earning All-Star selections and establishing himself as one of the league's dominant centers.

• Meaning: Farmer
• Pronunciation: HOR-heh
• Variations: George
• Namesakes: Jorge Luis Borges (Writer), Jorge Ramos (Journalist), Jorge Mendes (Football Agent)

Jorge is a Mexican boy's name of Spanish origin meaning "farmer." Jorge Luis Borges is an influential Argentine writer known for his imaginative and philosophical works.

• Meaning: God will add
• Pronunciation: HO-seh
• Variations: Joseph
• Namesakes: José Martí (Poet), José Mourinho (Football Manager), José Andrés (Chef)

José is a common Mexican boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "God will add." José Martí is a Cuban poet, writer, and national hero who played a crucial role in the movement for Cuban independence from Spain and is considered one of the greatest literary figures in Latin America.

• Meaning: Yahweh is salvation
• Pronunciation: JAH-shoo-ah
• Variations: Josh
• Namesakes: Joshua Tree (Band), Joshua Wong (Activist), Joshua Bell (Violinist)

Joshua is a Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh is salvation." One notable namesake is Joshua Tree, an American rock band known for their distinctive sound and influential contributions to alternative rock music.

• Pronunciation: hwahn
• Variations: John
• Namesakes: Juan Manuel Fangio (Racing Driver), Juan Gabriel (Singer), Juan Mata (Footballer)

Juan is a Mexican name of Spanish origin meaning "God is gracious." Juan Manuel Fangio is an Argentine racing driver who achieved legendary status in Formula One who won five World Championships and establishing himself as one of the sport's greatest drivers.

• Meaning: Youthful
• Pronunciation: hoo-LYAHN
• Variations: Julian
• Namesakes: Julián Castro (Politician), Julián Carrillo (Composer), Julián Esteban González (Actor)

Julián is a Mexican name meaning "youthful." Julián Castro is an American politician and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development who has made significant contributions to public service and political advocacy.

• Pronunciation: HOO-lyoh
• Namesakes: Julio Iglesias (Singer), Julio César Chávez (Boxer), Julio Cortázar (Writer)

Julio is a Mexican boy's name meaning "youthful." Julio Iglesias is a Spanish singer and songwriter who has achieved worldwide success, selling millions of records and captivating audiences with his distinctive voice and romantic ballads.

• Meaning: Brave lion
• Pronunciation: lee-oh-NAR-doh
• Variations: Leo
• Namesakes: Leonardo da Vinci (Artist), Leonardo DiCaprio (Actor), Leonardo García Alarcón (Conductor)

Leonardo is a Mexican name of Italian origin meaning "brave lion." Leonardo da Vinci is an Italian polymath of the Renaissance period who excelled in various fields including art, science, and invention, leaving behind a rich legacy of artistic masterpieces and scientific advancements.

• Meaning: Famous warrior
• Pronunciation: LOO-ees
• Variations: Louis
• Namesakes: Luis Fonsi (Singer), Luis Buñuel (Filmmaker), Luis Suárez (Footballer)

Luis is a Mexican name of Spanish origin meaning "famous warrior." Luis Fonsi is a Puerto Rican singer-songwriter known for his chart-topping hit "Despacito," which became a global phenomenon and one of the most streamed songs in history.

• Pronunciation: mahn-WEL
• Namesakes: Manuel Neuer (Footballer), Manuel Pellegrini (Football Manager), Manuel Álvarez Bravo (Photographer)

Manuel is a Mexican name of Spanish origin meaning "God is with us." Manuel Neuer is a German professional footballer who is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world who is known for his exceptional reflexes, shot-stopping ability, and commanding presence in the goal.

• Meaning: Warlike
• Pronunciation: MAR-koh
• Namesakes: Marco Polo (Explorer), Marco Antonio Solís (Singer), Marco Reus (Footballer)

Marco is a Mexican name of Italian origin meaning "warlike." Marco Polo is an Italian explorer who embarked on a legendary journey to the East, documenting his travels and introducing Europe to the wonders and riches of Asia.

• Pronunciation: MAR-kohs
• Variations: Marcus
• Namesakes: Marcos Baghdatis (Tennis Player), Marcos Alonso Mendoza (Footballer), Marcos Rojo (Footballer)

Marcos is a Mexican name of Spanish origin meaning "warlike." Marcos Baghdatis is a Cypriot former professional tennis player who reached the final of the Australian Open in 2006, achieving a career-high ranking of 8th in the world.

• Meaning: Marius' son
• Pronunciation: MAH-ree-oh
• Namesakes: Mario Vargas Llosa (Writer), Mario Andretti (Racing Driver), Mario Balotelli (Footballer)

Mario is a Mexican name of Italian origin meaning "Marius" son.' It carries a patronymic association. Mario Vargas Llosa is a Peruvian-Spanish writer and Nobel laureate in Literature, recognized for his profound literary works exploring themes of social and political issues.

• Pronunciation: mar-TEEN
• Variations: Martin
• Namesakes: Martín Luther King Jr. (Civil Rights Activist), Martín Fierro (Literary Character), Martín Palermo (Footballer)

Martín is a Mexican name of Spanish origin meaning "warlike." Martín Luther King Jr. is an iconic American civil rights leader who fought against racial discrimination and inequality, advocating for peace, justice, and equality for all.

• Pronunciation: mah-TEH-oh
• Namesakes: Mateo Messi (Son of Lionel Messi), Mateo Alemán (Writer), Mateo Kovacic (Footballer)

Mateo is a Mexican name of Spanish origin meaning "gift of God." Mateo Messi is the son of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, who has gained media attention and captured the hearts of fans worldwide through his appearances alongside his famous father.

• Meaning: Dark-skinned
• Pronunciation: mow-REES-ee-oh
• Variations: Maurizio, Maurice
• Namesakes: Mauricio Macri (Politician), Mauricio Kagel (Composer), Mauricio Pochettino (Football Manager)

Mauricio is a cute Mexican boy's name of Latin origin meaning "dark-skinned." Mauricio Macri is an Argentine politician who served as the President of Argentina, implementing economic reforms and promoting diplomatic relations during his tenure.

• Meaning: Who is like God?
• Pronunciation: mee-GEL
• Variations: Michael, Michel
• Namesakes: Miguel de Cervantes (Writer), Miguel Hidalgo (Independence Leader), Miguel Cabrera (Baseball Player)

Miguel is a common Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?" Miguel de Cervantes is a Spanish writer widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language who is known for his masterpiece "Don Quixote."

• Origin: Mapuche (Native American)
• Meaning: Tiger
• Pronunciation: na-WEL

Nahuel is a Mexican name of Mapuche origin, an indigenous people of Chile and Argentina, meaning "tiger." It represents power and fierceness and is associated with the natural world.

• Pronunciation: nuh-THAN-yuhl
• Variations: Nathan, Nate
• Namesakes: Nathaniel Hawthorne (Writer), Nathaniel Bowditch (Navigator), Nathaniel Currier (Lithographer)

Nathaniel is a Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift of God." Nathaniel Hawthorne is an American novelist and short story writer who is known for his influential works such as "The Scarlet Letter" and "The House of the Seven Gables," exploring themes of morality and guilt.

• Meaning: Victory of the people
• Pronunciation: nee-ko-LAHS
• Variations: Nicholas, Nico
• Namesakes: Nicolás Maduro (Politician), Nicolás Almagro (Tennis Player), Nicolás Gómez Dávila (Writer)

Nicolás is a cool Mexican boy's name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people." Nicolás Maduro is a Venezuelan politician who became the President of Venezuela, continuing the political legacy of Hugo Chávez and implementing various policies and reforms.

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: Long-lived
• Pronunciation: OH-mar
• Namesakes: Omar Khayyam (Poet), Omar Sharif (Actor), Omar Sy (Actor)

Omar is a Mexican name of Arabic origin meaning "long-lived." Omar Khayyam is a Persian mathematician, astronomer, and poet, known for his contributions to mathematics, calendar reform, and his poetic works, including "Rubaiyat," a collection of quatrains.

• Meaning: Small
• Pronunciation: PAH-blo
• Variations: Paul, Paolo
• Namesakes: Pablo Picasso (Artist), Pablo Neruda (Poet), Pablo Casals (Cellist)

Pablo is a common Mexican name of Latin origin meaning "small." It carries a humble and unassuming quality. One notable namesake is Pablo Picasso, a Spanish painter, sculptor, and co-founder of the Cubist movement, recognized as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

• Meaning: Noble
• Pronunciation: pah-TREE-see-oh
• Variations: Patrick
• Namesakes: Patricio Aylwin (Politician), Patricio Guzmán (Filmmaker), Patricio Rey (Musician)

Patricio is a Mexican name for boys of Latin origin meaning "noble." Patricio Aylwin is a Chilean lawyer and politician who served as the President of Chile, leading the country's transition to democracy after the military dictatorship.

• Meaning: Rock
• Pronunciation: PEH-droh
• Variations: Pierre
• Namesakes: Pedro Almodóvar (Filmmaker), Pedro Infante (Actor/Singer), Pedro Pascal (Actor)

Pedro is a Mexican name for boys of Latin origin meaning "rock." It symbolizes strength and stability. Pedro Almodóvar is a Spanish filmmaker and screenwriter, known for his distinct and influential style, producing critically acclaimed films that explore themes of identity, desire, and Spanish society.

• Meaning: God has healed
• Pronunciation: rah-fah-EL
• Variations: Raphael, Raffaele
• Namesakes: Rafael Nadal (Tennis Player), Rafael Trujillo (Politician), Rafael Marquez (Footballer)

Rafael is an old Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has healed." Rafael Nadal is a Spanish professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time who is known for his exceptional skills, sportsmanship, and numerous achievements in the world of tennis.

• Meaning: Wolf counsel
• Pronunciation: rah-OOL
• Variations: Raulo
• Namesakes: Raúl Castro (Politician), Raúl Juliá (Actor), Raúl González (Footballer)

Raúl is an old Mexican name of Germanic origin meaning "wolf counsel." Raúl Castro is a Cuban politician who served as the President of Cuba, leading the country through various socio-political changes during his tenure.

• Meaning: Strong ruler
• Pronunciation: ree-KAR-doh
• Variations: Richard
• Namesakes: Ricardo Montalbán (Actor), Ricardo Lagos (Politician), Ricardo Kaka (Footballer)

Ricardo is a Mexican name of Germanic origin meaning "strong ruler." Ricardo Montalbán is a Mexican actor known for his versatile roles in film and television, including his iconic portrayal of Mr. Roarke in the TV series "Fantasy Island."

• Meaning: Bright fame
• Pronunciation: roh-BER-toh
• Variations: Robert
• Namesakes: Roberto Bolaño (Writer), Roberto Clemente (Baseball Player), Roberto Cavalli (Fashion Designer)

Roberto is a Mexican name of Germanic origin meaning "bright fame." One notable namesake is Roberto Bolaño, a Chilean writer and novelist, known for his influential works such as "2666" and "The Savage Detectives," exploring themes of literature, politics, and identity.

• Meaning: Famous ruler
• Pronunciation: roh-DREE-go
• Variations: Roderick
• Namesakes: Rodrigo Duterte (Politician), Rodrigo Santoro (Actor), Rodrigo y Gabriela (Musical Duo)

Rodrigo is a Mexican name of Germanic origin meaning "famous ruler." Rodrigo Duterte is a Filipino politician who served as the President of the Philippines, implementing various policies and reforms during his term.

• Meaning: Savior
• Pronunciation: sal-vah-DOR
• Variations: Salva
• Namesakes: Salvador Dalí (Artist), Salvador Allende (Politician), Salvador Sobral (Singer)

Salvador is a Mexican boy's name of Latin origin meaning "savior." One notable namesake is Salvador Dalí, a Spanish surrealist artist known for his eccentric style and iconic paintings such as "The Persistence of Memory," contributing significantly to the art world.

• Meaning: Saint James
• Pronunciation: san-tee-AH-go
• Variations: Diego, Tiago
• Namesakes: Santiago Calatrava (Architect), Santiago Ramón y Cajal (Neuroscientist), Santiago Solari (Football Manager)

Santiago is a Mexican boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "Saint James." Santiago Calatrava is a Spanish architect and engineer known for his innovative and artistic architectural designs, creating iconic structures worldwide.

• Meaning: Revered
• Pronunciation: seh-BAHS-tee-ahn
• Variations: Sebastian
• Namesakes: Sebastián Yatra (Singer), Sebastián Piñera (Politician), Sebastián Coe (Athlete)

Sebastián is a cool Mexican name of Greek origin meaning "revered." Sebastián Yatra is a Colombian singer and songwriter who has gained international recognition for his music by achieving success with his hit songs and collaborations with renowned artists.

• Meaning: Attendant
• Pronunciation: SER-hee-oh
• Variations: Serge
• Namesakes: Sergio Leone (Filmmaker), Sergio Ramos (Footballer), Sergio Pérez (Racing Driver)

Sergio is a Mexican name of Latin origin meaning "attendant." Sergio Leone is an Italian film director known for his contributions to the spaghetti western genre, directing iconic films such as "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly."

• Meaning: He has heard
• Pronunciation: see-MOHN
• Variations: Simon
• Namesakes: Simón Bolívar (Politician), Simón Díaz (Musician), Simón Biles (Gymnast)

Simón is a Mexican boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "he has heard." Simón Bolívar is a Venezuelan military and political leader who played a crucial role in the liberation of several South American countries from Spanish rule, earning him the title "The Liberator."

• Origin: Aramaic
• Meaning: Twin
• Pronunciation: toh-MAHS
• Variations: Thomas
• Namesakes: Tomás Rivera (Author), Tomás Luis de Victoria (Composer), Tomás Berdych (Tennis Player)

Tomás is a Mexican name of Aramaic origin meaning "twin." It signifies companionship and duality. One notable namesake is Tomás Rivera, a Mexican-American author and educator, recognized for his influential works exploring the Chicano experience and culture in the United States.

• Origin: Nahuatl
• Meaning: To shout, to make noise
• Pronunciation: TOO-pok

Tupoc is a Mexican name of Nahuatl origins meaning "to shout" or "to make noise." It carries a vibrant and energetic quality. While there may not be specific notable namesakes associated with this name, Tupoc represents a lively and spirited personality, often bringing enthusiasm and joy to those around him.

• Meaning: God is my light
• Pronunciation: yoo-ree-EL
• Namesakes: Uriel Antuna (Footballer), Uriel Landeros (Artist)

Uriel is a Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my light." Uriel Antuna is a Mexican professional footballer who has showcased his talent and skills in various football clubs and international competitions.

• Meaning: Strong, healthy
• Pronunciation: vah-len-TEEN
• Variations: Valentine
• Namesakes: Valentín Elizalde (Singer), Valentín Gómez Farías (Politician)

Valentín is a Mexican name meaning "strong" or "healthy." It represents vitality and resilience. One notable namesake is Valentín Elizalde, a popular Mexican singer known for his contributions to regional Mexican music, creating a unique style and leaving a lasting impact on the music industry.

• Meaning: Victor, conqueror
• Pronunciation: VEEK-tor
• Namesakes: Víctor Jara (Musician), Víctor Espinoza (Jockey), Víctor Cruz (Football Player)

Víctor is a strong Mexican boy's name of Latin origin meaning "victor" or "conqueror." Víctor Jara is a Chilean musician, singer-songwriter, and political activist whose songs and lyrics played a significant role in inspiring social change and resistance during the political turmoil in Chile.

• Meaning: Vigilant, watchful
• Pronunciation: VEE-del

Videl is a Mexican name of Latin origin meaning "vigilant" or "watchful." It suggests attentiveness and alertness. Videl represents a perceptive and observant individual, often displaying a keen sense of awareness and understanding.

• Pronunciation: ZAY-vee-ər
• Namesakes: Saint Francis Xavier (Missionary), Xavier Dolan (Filmmaker), Xavier Hernández (Footballer)

Xavier is a Mexican boy's name of Basque origin meaning "new house." Saint Francis Xavier is a Spanish missionary who played a significant role in spreading Christianity in Asia, particularly in India and Japan.

• Meaning: Hearkening, obedient
• Pronunciation: hee-ME-no

Ximeno is a Mexican name meaning "hearkening" or "obedient."

• Meaning: Flower prince
• Pronunciation: soh-chee-PEE-lee

Xochipilli is a Mexican name of Nahuatl origin meaning "flower prince." It symbolizes beauty, art, and love.

• Meaning: Mountain goat
• Pronunciation: yah-EL

Yael is a Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "mountain goat." Yael embodies a determined and resilient spirit, often displaying the ability to overcome challenges and reach new heights.

• Meaning: He who enlightens
• Pronunciation: YAH-heer
• Namesakes: Yahir Othón (Singer), Yahir Reyes (Boxer)

Yahir is an Mexican name of Arabic origin meaning "he who enlightens." Yahir Othón is a Mexican singer and actor who rose to fame through his participation in a singing competition, showcasing his vocal talent and capturing the hearts of audiences with his performances.

• Pronunciation: YO-hahn
• Variations: Johan, John

Yohan is a Mexican name meaning "God is gracious."

• Pronunciation: yo-NAH-tahn
• Variations: Jonathan
• Namesakes: Yonatan Netanyahu (Soldier)

Yonatan is a Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift of God." One notable namesake is Yonatan Netanyahu, an Israeli soldier and commander who displayed courage and leadership during Operation Entebbe, a hostage rescue mission, where he made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the lives of others.

• Pronunciation: YOR-dee

Yordi is a Mexican name with Latin roots meaning "farmer." It represents a connection to the land and a hardworking nature.

• Pronunciation: yo-VAH-nee
• Variations: Giovanni, Jovanni

Yovani is a Mexican name with Hebrew origins meaning "God is gracious."

• Pronunciation: ZAB-dee-el
• Namesakes: Zabdiel Boylston (Physician)

Zabdiel is a Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift of God." It conveys the idea of being a precious blessing. One notable namesake is Zabdiel Boylston, an American physician who played a crucial role in introducing smallpox inoculation to North America.

• Meaning: Remembered by God
• Pronunciation: zah-kah-REE-ahs
• Variations: Zechariah

Zacarías is a Mexican name of Hebrew origin meaning "remembered by God."

• Meaning: Growth, abundance
• Pronunciation: ZAYD
• Variations: Zayd, Said

Zaid is an Mexican boy's name of Arabic origin meaning "growth" or "abundance."

• Meaning: Songbird
• Pronunciation: za-MEER

Zamir is a unique Mexican boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "songbird." It represents melodiousness and harmony. Zamir embodies a love for music and the arts, often bringing joy and beauty into the lives of others.

• Meaning: Graceful
• Pronunciation: ZAY-an

Zayan is an Mexican name for boys of Arabic origin meaning "graceful."

• Meaning: Zeus
• Pronunciation: ze-NOHN

Zenón is a Mexican name of Greek origin derived from the word "Zeus," the name of the supreme god in Greek mythology .

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On a path to hit Florida, Tropical Storm Debby forms in Gulf of Mexico

Parts of florida are forecast to face tropical storm or hurricane conditions this weekend as a tropical cyclone bears down on the state..

Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news about Tropical Storm Debby for Saturday, Aug. 3. For the latest on the storm, view our story for Sunday, Aug. 4.

Tropical Storm Debby – the fourth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season – formed Saturday in the Gulf of Mexico, the  National Hurricane Center  said. The storm follows Tropical Storms Alberto and Chris, and  deadly and destructive Hurricane Beryl , which wreaked havoc across the U.S. in July.

Debby is expected to drench Florida and parts of the southeast U.S. coast, with as much as a foot of rain, and up to 18 inches in some areas, according to the hurricane center . Maximum sustained winds increased late Saturday night to nearly 45 mph, with stronger gusts. The storm is expected to become a hurricane by late Sunday before it hits the Florida Big Bend coast on Monday, forecasters said Saturday night. Debby is expected to weaken after it comes ashore.

The center warned some parts of the state will face tropical storm or hurricane conditions on Sunday. Some areas could see up to 4 to 7 feet of storm surge.

About 10 million people were under Tropical Storm Warnings as of Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for most of the state's counties ahead of what could be the region's first major storm of the hurricane season.

A tropical depression turns into a named tropical storm once its reaches sustained winds of 39 mph. It would become a hurricane if its winds reach 74 mph.

Parts of Florida could face a Category 1 hurricane

AccuWeather meteorologists said the storm could strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane and make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region early Monday morning.

Forecasters are concerned about the water temperatures in the path of the storm.

Temperatures in the eastern Gulf of Mexico are well above average, said Brandon Buckingham, an AccuWeather meteorologist. Those temperatures coupled with low wind shear could lead the storm to rapidly intensify over the weekend, Buckingham told USA TODAY on Saturday.

“It is not out of the question that we could see this hitting that hurricane strength in the hours leading up to landfall,” Buckingham said. “It’s not out of the realm of possibility that we could be talking, potentially, even a category higher.”

Kristian Oliver, a National Weather Service forecaster in Tallahassee, said the region will likely face a high-end tropical storm or low-end Category 1 hurricane .

"The difference between the two is very minor," he said, adding that residents should be prepared for a category higher. "With these things intensity can fluctuate quickly."

After making landfall, the storm's path is still uncertain, and forecasters aren't sure whether the storm will significantly slow as it moves over land, exacerbating impacts.

– Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY; and William L. Hatfield, the Tallahassee Democrat

Atlantic storm tracker

'time to prepare' is now.

Whether the storm makes landfall as a tropical storm or hurricane — or deviates from the current forecast path — millions of people in the south will face risks from wind, rain, flooding and possible tornadoes. Stormy weather could knock out power for days.

“Now is that time to prepare,” Brandon Buckingham, an AccuWeather meteorologist, told USA TODAY. “You don’t want to be caught off-guard or act too late.”

What to know:

• Is it too late to get flood insurance? Yes – for this storm
• Should I evacuate? Pay close attention to warnings and alerts from officials, and prepare to evacuate if ordered to do so.
• What should I buy from the store? Drinking water, non-perishable food and any medications you take.
• Have an EV? Move electric vehicles and scooters or golf carts with lithium ion batteries to higher ground ; salty floodwaters can compromise the batteries and cause fires, officials warned.
• Where can I go if I need help? The Florida Department of Health has opened shelters for people with medical needs or disabilities. You can pre-register here . Some counties have also opened shelters at schools for people evacuating.

Read more here.

-Eduardo Cuevas

DeSantis expands state of emergency

The Florida governor on Friday added seven more counties under a state of emergency, bringing the total to 61 out of the state's total 67 counties.

Atlantic storm spaghetti models

Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.

DeSantis had previously issued the order for 54 counties on Thursday.

See which counties are under a state of emergency here.

Watch out for tornadoes, especially at night

While the potential hurricane is brewing, forecasters say Floridians should be prepared for tornadoes, which are more dangerous at night.

One or two tornadoes could spawn across the Florida Keys and the western Florida peninsula Saturday night and across much of central and northern Florida on Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Nighttime tornadoes are up to two times more deadly than daytime tornadoes because people are sleeping and tornadoes are harder to spot at night, according to an AccuWeather release quoting senior meteorologist Jon Porter.

"Have your shelter or safe place ready for tornado warnings.  You want to be able to move there quickly, especially with an overnight threat. You want to be in the lowest part of your home, ideally an interior room away from external walls, windows and doors,” Porter said.

Tornadoes aren't uncommon during hurricanes: In fact, almost all hurricanes and tropical storms that make landfall in the United States spawn at least one tornado, provided enough of the storm's circulation moves over land, according to the  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .

"These tornadoes most often occur in thunderstorms embedded in rain bands well away from the center of the hurricane," NOAA said. "However, they can also occur near the eyewall. Usually, tornadoes produced by tropical cyclones are relatively weak and short-lived, but they still pose a significant threat."

Contributing: Emily DeLetter and Doyle Rice

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Mexican Slang Terms You Need to Know

Northern England Writer

Mexican Spanish is replete with a ton of slang terminology that often has some strange and confusing literal translations; however, if you’re new to the world of Mexican Spanish, then you need to read these important phrases for travel and to learn the history of Mexican Spanish with essential dirty sayings and slang.

This is the most ubiquitous word in everyday Mexican conversation. If you’re going to learn just one piece of Mexican Spanish slang for homies, let güey be the one. Most closely translated to ‘mate’, you’ll mainly see it written as wey (which is incidentally how it’s pronounced) rather than güey .

Ex.: ‘¿Qué pedo, wey?’ = ‘Mate, what happened?’

Another crucial piece of slang you should try to pick up is pinche. The translation for this isn’t super fixed, but its most commonly used as a substitute for ‘fucking’, when referring to a person or situation.

Ex.: ‘Mi pinche hermano le robó mi sueter.’ = ‘My fucking brother stole my jumper.’

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While pendejo literally means ‘pubic hair’, it is rarely if ever used in such a way. Rather, it is mainly used as a stronger form of ‘idiot’. You’re sure to hear this one shouted from car windows during rush hour. An equally great swearword is culero, which rather more literally means ‘arsehole’.

Ex.: ‘Eres tan pendejo.’ = ‘You’re such an arsehole.’

While verga (pronounced like ‘burger’) is a generic Mexican slang saying term for ‘penis’, it also features in some regularly used phrases, the first of which is vales verga . This more or less translates to ‘you’re useless’ (or more literally, ‘you’re worth dick’). A la verga is also one you’ll want to listen out for; when used as an exclamatory, it’s a catch-call response that can express surprise, excitement and even anger in equal measure.

Ex.: ‘¡A la verga! Gané la loteríá!’ = ‘OMG! I won the lottery!’

No mames (literally means ‘don’t suck it’) is one of the most ubiquitous Mexican swearwords. From expressing surprise and shock to outrage, no mames loosely translates to ‘no fucking way’ or ‘what the fuck’. If you’re in the presence of elders, the tamer no manches expresses the same sentiment. Oh, and mamadas can mean both ‘blowjob’ and ‘bullshit’.

Ex.: ‘¡No mames! Son unas mamadas.’ = ‘What the fuck! That’s bullshit.’

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Chingar (fuck) is a tricky one to fully explain in just a few lines, given that it is perhaps Mexico’s most versatile verb. It is used in Mexican phrases like chinga tu madre (go fuck yourself) to chingadera (rubbish, in the sense of an object). It isn’t always negative, though, as chingonazo refers to someone admirable. For a more complete run down of chingar’s many, many uses, we recommend checking out this guide .

Ex.: ‘¡No me chingues! Vete a la chingada.’ = ‘Don’t fuck with me! Go fuck yourself.’

Chela & Cheve

Both chela and cheve are slang terms for beer; you can thank us later for that tip off. Other equally essential beer-related terminology includes caguama (a 1.2 liter bottle of beer), six/seis (literally just a six-pack) and pista is the Mexican equivalent of a generic ‘drink’.

Ex.: ‘Vamos a la tienda para comprar la pista. ¿Quieren una caguama o un six de cheves?’ = ‘We’re going to the shop for drinks. Do you want a bottle of beer or a six-pack?’

It seems appropriate to give a crash course in hangover vocab while we’re on the subject; crudo (lit. ‘raw’) is the Mexican version of resaca, which is ‘hangover’ in English. If you’re still feeling the effects of the alcohol, though, you’re more than likely pedo (lit. ‘fart’) or ‘drunk’.

Ex.: ‘¡Estoy bien pedo! Estaré muy crudo mañana.’ = ‘I’m so drunk! I’m going to be hungover tomorrow.’

Fresa & Naco

Fresa means strawberry, right? Well, yes, fresa is literally a strawberry, but in Mexico, a person can also be fresa. Calling someone a fresa often means they’re a bit stuck-up or snobby, and generally well off, too. The antithesis to fresa is often considered to be naco, or ‘tacky’.

Ex.: ‘Ella es muy fresa, ¿verdad?’ = ‘She’s a bit stuck-up, right?’

Almost untranslatable due to the wildly varying contexts it can be used in, órale can be used as an interjection of encouragement, an expression of shock, surprise or excitement – even agreement with a statement can be communicated through a timely use of the word órale.

Ex.: ‘¿Vamos a la fiesta?’ ‘Sí, órale, vámonos.’ = ‘Are we going to the party?’ ‘Yeah, sure, let’s go.’

This is a weird one. Try and directly translate it and you’ll realize it means ‘a little’. However, a poco used as an exclamatory statement is akin to saying ‘really?!’ or ‘you don’t say!’ in English, in a surprised context. Give ¡a poco! a whirl next time someone gives you some shocking news of juicy gossip.

Ex.: ‘¿Te dieron el trabajo? ¡A poco!’ = ‘You got the job?! No way!’

Chido & Padre

If you’re at all familiar with Peninsula Spanish, or rather Spanish from Spain, you’ll probably know that guay means ‘cool’. Well, if you say guay in Mexico, you might get some funny looks – instead, stick to calling things chido and padre, and you’ll blend right in!

Ex.: ‘¡Ay, que chida estuvo la película!’ = ‘The film was so cool!’

You could be forgiven for thinking that this colloquialism has something to do with eggs, given that it includes the word huevo (egg). However, a huevo (more commonly written a webo ) actually means ‘hell yeah!’ On a similar note, hueva means laziness, as does floja, and a huevón is a lazy person.

Ex.: ‘Tengo mucha hueva, ya no quiero salir.’ = ‘I’m feeling lazy, I don’t fancy going out now.’

¿Qué pedo? & ¿Qué onda?

Literally translating to ‘what fart?’ and ‘what wave?’ respectively, ¿qué pedo? And ¿qué onda? are questions you’ll hear all the time in Mexico. While they both mean ‘what’s up?’, ¿qué pedo? is perhaps slightly more accusative than ¿qué onda?, which is friendlier in tone. Similarly, if someone is buena onda or buen pedo, it means they’re nice.

Ex.: ‘¿Qué pedo, wey?’ = ‘What’s up, mate?’

Cuate, Compa, Cabrón & Carnal

We’ve lumped these four phrases together as their meanings are somewhat similar; the fact they all start with ‘c’ was a happy coincidence! Cuate is slang for ‘friend’, as is compa, carnal and cabrón. They tend to be used to varying degrees depending which part of Mexico you’re in, and cabrón can also be used as an insult at times. Context is everything!

Ex.: ‘Es mi compa, mi carnal – ¡lo quiero!’ = ‘He’s my friend – I love him!’

Madre (lit. ‘mother’), as with chingar, is one of those words you’ll see used in all kinds of phrases. From describing something as con madre (awesome), to saying that something me vale madre (I don’t give a shit), there are endless slang terms that use ‘mother’ as an insult.

Ex.: ‘¡Estuvo a toda madre!’ = ‘It was awesome!’

A commonly used term in Mexican slang, neta translates roughly to ‘truth’ or ‘really?!’ when used as an exclamatory. Say someone gives you some really great gossip; a wide-eyed ¿neta? would make for the ideal response.

Ex.: ‘Oí que estás embarazada. ¿Es neta?’ = ‘I heard you were pregnant. Is it true?’

Used Mexico-wide, gacho is pretty much like saying something is ‘bad’ or ‘not cool’. For example, people can be gacho, as can less than ideal situations.

Ex.: ‘¡No seas gacho!’ = ‘Don’t be bad/ mean!’

If all those terms weren’t enough for you and you’re still in the mood to learn some hyperlocal Chilango (Mexico City) slang, we recommend you give Café Tacuba’s Chilanga Banda a listen!

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Essay on Mexican Culture

Students are often asked to write an essay on Mexican Culture in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Mexican Culture

Introduction to mexican culture.

Mexican culture is rich with history and color. It comes from ancient civilizations like the Aztecs and Mayans. Today, it’s a mix of those traditions with influences from Spain and other countries. People in Mexico are known for their love of family, music, and food.

Festivals and Holidays

Mexico is famous for its lively festivals. One of the biggest is the Day of the Dead, where families remember loved ones who have passed away. They decorate altars and graves with bright flowers and offer favorite foods.

Traditional Mexican Food

Mexican food is known worldwide. Tacos, enchiladas, and guacamole come from here. Corn, beans, and chili peppers are important ingredients. Meals are often shared with family, making eating a social event.

Music and Dance

Music and dance are key parts of Mexican culture. Mariachi bands play guitars, violins, and trumpets. Folk dances tell stories of Mexico’s history. The colorful costumes and lively rhythms are enjoyed by people of all ages.

Art and Craft

Mexican culture is a tapestry of traditions that celebrate life. It’s a blend of history, art, food, and music that brings joy to people and makes Mexico unique.

250 Words Essay on Mexican Culture

Mexican culture is a rich blend of native traditions and Spanish influence. It is known for its colorful art, lively music, and strong family values. Mexico’s history shapes its culture, from ancient civilizations like the Maya and Aztecs to the Spanish conquest.

Traditional Food

Mexican food is famous worldwide. Tacos, enchiladas, and tamales are just a few examples of the tasty dishes. Ingredients like corn, beans, and chili peppers are common. Families often gather to enjoy meals together, making food a central part of social life.

Festivals and Celebrations

Mexicans love to celebrate. One of the most famous events is the Day of the Dead, when people honor their loved ones who have passed away. There are also colorful parades, dances, and music. Christmas and Cinco de Mayo are other big celebrations full of joy and traditions.

Music and dance are vital in Mexican culture. Mariachi bands play lively tunes with violins, trumpets, and guitars. Folk dances tell stories of Mexico’s history and people. Young and old enjoy the rhythms and movements that make up Mexico’s musical heritage.

Family Values

Mexican culture is a tapestry woven from history, food, celebrations, music, and family. It is a culture full of warmth, color, and life, inviting everyone to experience its beauty and traditions.

500 Words Essay on Mexican Culture

Mexican culture is a rich and colorful tapestry woven from a history that goes back thousands of years. It includes the traditions of the ancient Maya and Aztec civilizations, as well as influences from Spanish colonists who came to Mexico over 500 years ago. Today, Mexican culture is known around the world for its vibrant music, delicious food, and festive celebrations.

Mexicans love to celebrate, and they have many festivals throughout the year. One of the most famous is the Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, which is a time when people remember and honor their loved ones who have passed away. During this festival, families create altars with photos, candles, and flowers, and they might also visit the graves of their relatives. Another important celebration is Mexican Independence Day on September 16th, which marks the day Mexico began its fight for freedom from Spain.

Music and dance are at the heart of Mexican social life. Mariachi bands, with their trumpets, violins, and guitars, are a common sight at parties and celebrations. Folk dances, such as the Jarabe Tapatío, often known as the Mexican Hat Dance, tell stories through movement and are performed wearing traditional costumes. These art forms not only provide entertainment but also help to pass down history and traditions from one generation to the next.

Art and Handicrafts

Family is a very important part of life in Mexico. Many generations often live in the same house or neighborhood, and they support each other in daily life. Respect for elders is a key value, and children are taught to listen to and learn from their parents and grandparents. Family members celebrate important events together, such as birthdays and religious ceremonies, which helps to strengthen their bonds.

Mexican culture is a beautiful blend of history, art, food, and family. It is a culture that is both ancient and ever-changing, as new generations add their own stories to the rich tapestry that has been created over thousands of years. Understanding Mexican culture can help people from all over the world appreciate the diversity and depth of human traditions.

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Mexican Drug Lord Appears in Court After His Kidnapping to the U.S.

Ismael Zambada García, known as El Mayo, faced an initial hearing before a federal judge in Texas, a consequential moment in the history of the drug war.

By Alan Feuer and Erin Coulehan

Ismael Zambada García, one of the founders of the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico, appeared in court in Texas on Thursday, one week after he was kidnapped by his former business partner’s son and flown across the U.S. border into the hands of American agents.

The appearance in Federal District Court in El Paso for an initial hearing was routine as a legal matter, but it also represented a consequential moment in the history of the drug war. It was the first time that Mr. Zambada García, a wily drug lord who had managed to evade capture for decades, was brought before a judge to be held accountable for what prosecutors have described as a nearly 50-year career of drug dealing, murder and corruption.

Last week, that career was cut short when Mr. Zambada García, who is 76 and known as El Mayo, was lured from one of his mountain hide-outs to the Mexican city of Culiacán, which has long served as a stronghold for the Sinaloa cartel.

He believed he was going to help one of the sons of his former partner in crime, the jailed kingpin known as El Chapo, mediate a dispute between two local politicians, according to three people familiar with the matter. Instead, he was ambushed, muscled onto a plane and flown across the border to a small regional airport near El Paso.

Mr. Zambada García, who recently had knee replacement surgery, showed up at the hearing in front of Judge Kathleen Cardone in a wheelchair and wearing a prison jumpsuit. He waived any potential conflicts involving his lawyer, Frank Perez, who is representing other cartel figures. He agreed to return to court in El Paso for a status conference on Sept. 9 and will remain in custody in the meantime.

His abduction last Thursday by El Chapo’s son, Joaquín Guzmán López, was a betrayal worthy of a narco thriller. Security analysts worry that it could set off a bloody war among the rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel. One of those factions is run by El Chapo’s two oldest sons — Iván and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar — while another is led by one of Mr. Zambada García’s sons, Ismael Zambada Sicairos.

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Home » Articles » Mexican Slang: 30+ Mexican Words and Phrases to Master Casual Conversations in Spanish

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written by Benny Lewis

Language: Spanish

Reading time: 8 minutes

Published: Mar 30, 2020

Updated: Sep 17, 2021

Mexican Slang: 30+ Mexican Words and Phrases to Master Casual Conversations in Spanish

Hola, compa. ¿Qué onda?

Have you learned these Mexican slang words yet? Or are you used to Hola, amigo. ¿Qué tal?

Learning Spanish slang terms helps you sound like a more natural Spanish speaker. But one of the difficult aspects of any language is learning the regional differences, especially when it comes to slang. This is particularly true with Spanish, where there are many different dialects.

I started by learning Castilian Spanish , the Spanish dialect that’s native to Spain. But since then, I’ve picked up regional dialects and vocabulary from my travels around the Spanish-speaking world . And not least of all, I’ve learned some Mexican slang terms along the way.

If you live in North America, you’re probably most familiar with Mexican Spanish and Mexican slang thanks to the proximity to Mexico. And English has influenced Mexican Spanish in return. Out of all the regional dialects, Mexican Spanish has the most English terms.

If you’re a beginner Spanish learner, you’ll want to use these Mexican slang words with care. Some of them are not appropriate to use with strangers or even with your family. While it’s fun to learn slang, if you’re brand new to Spanish, I recommend that you start with essential words and phrases to start speaking Spanish now .

Let’s get right to it.

Mexican Slang to Master for Casual Conversations

Some of these terms and phrases below are NSFW.

Wey – “Dude”

Let’s start with the most common Mexican slang term. Wey means “dude” when talking to friends. It can also be used to call someone a “bro”, or, in general, refer to a guy. Sometimes you’ll see it spelt güey , but it’s pronounced the same and means the same thing.

It’s natural to greet a friend in Mexico with ¿Qué onda, wey?

It can also be used as conversational filler or an exclamation, like Wey, ¿viste eso? which means, “Bro, did you see that?”

Or another example:

Estaba estudiando español, y wey esta frase fue muy difícil … “I was studying Spanish, and like, this phrase was really difficult…”

You may also hear vato in Mexican slang, but it’s not as common as wey . It’s more cholo , or gangster.

¿Qué onda? – “What’s Up?”

Like ¿Qué tal? or ¿Qué pasa? in Spain, this means “What’s up?” in Spanish. ¿Qué onda? literally means “What wave?” like, “What wave you riding, dude?” or “How’s it hangin’?”

More crudely, you can use ¿Qué pedo? , which also means “What’s up?” But pedo means “fart”, so the actual translation is “What fart?”

No Manches – “No Way” or “For Real”

This is an exclamation, typically used when someone’s telling you a story. Wherever you might say things like “No way!”, “For real?” or “Are you serious?” in English, you’d use no manches in Mexican Spanish.

No Mames – “No Way!”

Similarly, no mames is also used as an exclamation, but it’s more intense. It’s closer to “No fucking way!” Be careful with this one since it has a strong connotation.

The literal meaning is “don’t suck”.

Pinche – “Fucking” or “The Worst”

Pinche can be used to describe something as “the worst”, “ugly”, “awful”. Or it can be an intensifying cuss word, like “fucking” in English. Besides wey , this word’s a dead giveaway someone is from Mexico.

Mijo and Mija – “My Son” and “My Daughter”

This one is simple. Many words in Spanish get smushed together for convenience. One example is mijo and mija , which is mi hijo and mi hija (“my son” and “my daughter”) smushed together.

You can do this with many words, but this one is especially common to hear. If you’re learning Spanish slang, keep an eye out for these casual “smushed” words that combine two words together.

La Neta – “The Truth”

La neta means “the truth”, but when used as slang, it has several different meanings. It can be an interjection, meaning “For real?” or “No way!” when used like ¿Es neta?*

If someone does you a favour, you can say eres la neta , which roughly translates as “you’re trustworthy” or “you’re amazing.”

Fresa – “Snobby”

Fresa usually means “strawberry”. But when you call someone fresa , it means they’re snobby or from a rich family.

Pendejo – “Dumbass”

This one has a couple of literal translations, including “asshole” and “pubic hair”. But when calling someone this, joking or otherwise, it means “you’re stupid”, “dumbass”, or “idiot”.

¿Cuándo vas a dejar de actuar estúpido? Nunca, pendejo. “When are you going to stop acting stupid?” “Never, dumbass.”

Carnal – “Buddy”

This word is used between close guy friends, or “bros”, to call each other “buddy” or “pal”. It’s a bit threatening and gangster when using it to a stranger. Saying it to a stranger is a bit like calling someone out and making sure they know you see through them and what they’re up to.

Chamaco / Chamaca – “The Kid”

This is a slang term to refer to a kid, usually one who’s a bit of a punk or pain to deal with. Here’s an example:

Ese chamaca necesita calmarse. Me estoy irritando. “That kid needs to calm down. I’m getting irritated.”

Gacho – “Uncool”

Gacho or gacha is used to describe someone or something totally uncool, or even sloppy. For example:

El cine era muy gacho. No lo recomiendo. “That movie was so lame. I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Culero – “Asshole”

Exactly as it sounds. If someone’s being an asshole, this is what you’d call them.

Aguas – “Watch Out!”

This translates as “waters”, but when used as an exclamation, it’s a slang term for “Watch out!” or “Be careful!” You can use this in place of ayuda .

It may seem strange, but it comes from when people used to dump their sewage out the window onto the street. They’d say aguas to let others know they were about to empty el bacín (their “chamber pot” from back in the day).

Chancla – The Mom Beating

This one isn’t necessarily a slang term, but more a cultural reference. Chancla means “flip flop” but it’s become a meme in Mexican culture as the preferred weapon for every madre .

For example: ¡Aguas! Chanclas de mamá! Watch out! Mom’s flip flops!

Jaina – “Chick”

This means “chick” or “chica”. You could say:

¿Qué tal, jaina? “What’s up, chick?”

Compa – “Friend”

This is the Mexican slang for “friend”. It’s short for compañero or compañera . But it doesn’t need gender changes like the whole word. So you wouldn’t use it as compro for a guy. Everyone is compa .

Mexican Slang Phrases

Here are some essential Mexican slang phrases you’ll want to know. You’ll hear these often on Mexican TV shows, for instance.

Me Vale Madres – “I Don’t Care”

This literally means “I don’t care mothers”, but a better translation would be “I don’t give a fuck” or “I don’t care, motherfucker”.

A Huevo – “Hell Yeah”

This one means “of course”, “hell yeah” or “fuck yeah”, so you use this one for enthusiastic agreement. The actual meaning is “to egg”.

In English, how we refer to “testicles” as “balls”, in Spanish, they’re huevos . So, there are lots of other dirty or not nice phrases with huevo . Like Qué huevos , which more or less means “What balls!” to say someone did something that took guts.

Eso que ni qué – “No Doubt About It”

This one literally means “That what or what.” or “That what nor what”. As a slang phrase, it’s used to mean “No doubt about it”.

Ando bien pedo – “I’m Drunk”

This is another phrase that uses pedo , or “fart” and means more or less “I’m very fart”. You say this when you’re smashed from a hard night of partying.

Estoy Crudo – “I’m Hungover”

Crudo means “raw” and the next day after feeling ando bien pedo , your stomach may feel pretty raw. So this one makes sense as “I’m hungover”.

No Pos Wow – “Not Good, Wow”

This one stems from a meme like this one:

In Spanish, guau (which sounds like “wow”) is the onomatopoeia for a dog barking. So it’s a play on that, using improper spelling like an American meme would. ( Pos is meant to be pues ).

It’s used like “Oh, wow” or “Oh, no good”. Sometimes it’s used sincerely, but it’s mainly used in a sarcastic way, like “You don’t say. eye roll ”

Vales Verga – “Worthless”

If you really want to insult someone, use this phrase. Translated word-by-word, it means “worth penis” or even “cheap penis”. When you say it, you’re calling someone “worthless”.

A La Verga – “Aw, Shit”

Another slang using verga , this time it’s an exclamation. When something goes wrong, you can say ¡A la verga! The actual meaning is “to cock”, so it basically means the same as “it went to shit” or “shit hit the fan” in English.

Tu es Chismosa – “You’re a Gossip”

This one stems from chisme , which means “gossip”. But if you want to call someone a gossip, you would say tu es chismosa or tu es chismoso .

Start Using Mexican Slang Words!

This article just grazes the surface of the interesting Spanish slang you’ll stumble upon in Mexico. But it’s a good start to Mexican slang you’ll hear in the movies, telenovelas , and shows. The more you immerse yourself in Spanish and practice these phrases, the more natural your conversations will sound. And, you’ll have an easier time picking up other slang terms, too.

Benny Lewis

Founder, Fluent in 3 Months

Fun-loving Irish guy, full-time globe trotter and international bestselling author. Benny believes the best approach to language learning is to speak from day one .

Speaks: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Esperanto, Mandarin Chinese, American Sign Language, Dutch, Irish

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Juan Ponce De León: Legacy of a Spanish Conquistador

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Exploring the new world: ponce de león's expeditions, in search of the fountain of youth: ponce de león's quest, colonization and legacy: ponce de león's impact.

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In 1492, Christopher Columbus made an unexpected discovery of the Americas while trying to accomplish his “enterprise of the Indies” that was supported by the Spanish monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella (Levine 58). Columbus’s [...]

In the past, European nations ventured to the Americas in pursuit of empire-building and the accumulation of power. This era witnessed fierce competition among European powers, each striving to assert its dominance and enhance [...]

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100 Pretty Mexican Girl Names: For Your Niña

There is a long tradition of Mexican girl names for every kind of little miss. These include long, formal names, along with unexpectedly cute nicknames. With the many variations available, which name should you choose for the baby girl you’re expecting?

Look no further because you’ll find the most memorable Mexican names for girls below. Discover their origins, meanings, and pronunciations to find the perfect name for your gorgeous little señorita.

100 Popular Mexican Names for Girls

Get ready to uncover pretty Mexican girl names to help your baby girl shine.

Adelina comes from the German Adalheidis, meaning “noble kind.” It’s made up of the German “adal,” meaning “noble,” and “heit,” meaning kind . Adelina was popular during the Middle Ages in Europe for families with noble lineage.

• Origin: Mexican, Spanish
• Meaning: Noble
• Pronunciation: Ah-dheh-LIY-Naa
• Variations: Adeline
• Namesakes: Adtelina, Adelia
• Popularity: Adelina is rare worldwide, mostly used in Indonesia, and ranked 1,401st in Angola in 2014.

Alejandra is the female form of Alexander, meaning “defender of the people.” It’s quite common among Mexican girl names that start with A and are also popular in Spain.

• Origin: Mexican, Greek
• Meaning: Defending men
• Pronunciation: Ah-ley-HAAN-Drah
• Variations: Alejanda, Alejandria
• Namesakes: Alejandra Gulla, an Argentinian field hockey player and bronze medalist at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Alejandra Peña, the Venezuelan alternate deputy for the National Assembly for the Barinas state from 2016 to 2021.
• Popularity: Alejandra ranked 1,107th worldwide and is mainly used in Mexico, where it ranked 67th in 2014.

America is one of the most unique Mexican names for girls and unlike any other. Its roots come not from a famous female but from the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, which is where we got the name for the Americas!

• Origin: Mexican, Italian
• Meaning: Home ruler
• Pronunciation: Ah-MEHR-eh-Kaa
• Variations: Americah, Americka, Amerika
• Namesakes: America Ferrera, an American actress known for Ugly Betty (2006 to 2010). America Vera Zavala, a Swedish-Chilean-Peruvian co-founder of the Swedish section of ATTAC in 2001.
• Popularity: America is rare worldwide and primarily used in the Philippines.

Ana dates all the way back to the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning “full of grace.” Ana is a classic for girls in Spain and has ranked in the top 100 U.S. girls’ names for over 100 years.

• Origin: Mexican, Hebrew
• Meaning: Favored grace
• Pronunciation: AA-Naa
• Variations: Anna, Anne
• Namesakes: Ana Cardus, a Mexican ballerina with Serge Unger’s Ballet Concierto de Mexico. Ana Mendoza Velasco, a Mexican swimmer who competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
• Popularity: Ana ranked 1,957th worldwide, is primarily used in Egypt, and ranked 253rd for girls in 2023.

Antonia was first inspired by the ancient Roman Antonius family when it originally referred to someone “from Antium.” It also means “priceless” – perfect for the little girl you love to praise.

• Meaning: Praiseworthy
• Pronunciation: Aan-TOW-niy-Ah
• Variations: Antoniya, Antonnea
• Namesakes: Antonia Nava de Catalán, a Mexican heroine during the Mexican War of Independence known as “La Generala.” Antonia Rados, an Austrian TV journalist for RTL Television.
• Popularity: Antonia ranked 295th worldwide, is mainly used in Brazil, and ranked 85th in Mexico in 2014.

Ariana derives from the Greek Ariadne and is composed of “ari,” meaning “excellence,” and “adnos,” meaning “sacred.” Ariana means “silver” in Welsh and “like a beautiful melody” in Hebrew.

• Meaning: Most holy
• Pronunciation: Ah-riy-AEN-aa
• Variations: Arianna, Ariane
• Namesakes: Ariana Miyamoto, a Japanese model crowned Miss Universe Japan 2015. Ariana DeBose, an American actress named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2022.
• Popularity: Ariana is rare worldwide, primarily used in Brazil, and ranked 608th in Mexico in 2014.

Aurora is inspired by the Roman goddess of the dawn, whose tears became morning dew. The Aurora Borealis is a striking display in the Arctic sky, also called the northern lights.

• Origin: Mexican, Latin
• Meaning: Dawn
• Pronunciation: Aw-ROW-Raa
• Variations: Aurorah, Aurore
• Namesakes: Aurora Reyes Flores, a Mexican artist and the first female muralist in Mexico. Aurora Clavel, a Mexican actress known for Tarahumara (1965).
• Popularity: Aurora ranked 1,712th worldwide and is mostly used in Mexico, ranking 166th in 2014.

Blanca means “white” in Spanish and derives from the French Blanche. Blanche was a popular nickname in France during the Middle Ages that found its way to Mexico and many other countries.

• Origin: Mexican, French
• Meaning: White
• Pronunciation: BLAENCK-ah
• Variations: Blanka, Blankah
• Namesakes: Blanca Estela Pavón, a Mexican actress who won an Ariel Award for Best Actress for Cuando lloran los valientes (1947).
• Popularity: Blanca ranked 355th worldwide and is mainly used in Mexico, where it ranked 37th in 2014.

Bonita is based on the Spanish “bonito,” meaning “pretty.” When taken from the Latin “bonus,” it means “good,” but it has fallen out of favor for girls since the 1950s.

• Meaning: Pretty
• Pronunciation: Boah-NIY-tah
• Variations: Bonitta, Bonnita
• Namesakes: Bonita Zarrillo, a Canadian member of Parliament since 2021. Bonita Norris, a British mountaineer and the youngest British woman to reach the Mount Everest summit at 22.
• Popularity: Bonita is rare worldwide and primarily used in the Philippines, ranking 1,747th in 2014.

Carmen has two distinct meanings, including “song.” It originated with the Hebrew Karmel, meaning “garden” or “vineyard.” In Spanish, Carmen is a unisex nickname for Carmel and Carmelo.

• Meaning: Song
• Pronunciation: KAAR-Mehn
• Variations: Carman, Carmin
• Namesakes: Carmen Miranda, a Portuguese-Brazilian entertainer known for her fruit hat ensemble and performances of samba music. Carmen Laforet, a Spanish author and recipient of the Premio Nadal in 1944.
• Popularity: Carmen is rare worldwide, mostly used in Peru, and ranked 550th for girls in the U.S. in 2014.

Celaya comes from the Basque “zelai,” meaning “meadow.” The similarly spelled Zelaia is a place name in the Biscay province of Basque country. As Celaya, it’s a city in Guanajuato state, Mexico.

• Origin: Mexican, Basque
• Meaning: Meadow
• Pronunciation: Seh-LAEY-ah
• Popularity: Celaya is extremely rare worldwide, with 68 known occurrences in 2014, mainly in the U.S.

Clarisa represents the Spanish spelling of Clarissa, itself from the Latin “clarus,” meaning “clear” or “famous.” It relates to the French Clarice and the more vintage Clara for girls.

• Meaning: Bright
• Pronunciation: Klaa-RIY-saa
• Variations: Clarissa
• Popularity: Clarisa is rare worldwide, primarily used in Argentina, and ranked 1,847th in Mexico in 2014.

Dominga is a Latin word meaning “belonging to the Lord.” It uses the Latin root “dominus,” meaning “master,” and has come to mean “child born on Sunday.” Dominga is a Catholic feast celebrated in Portugal, honoring the Holy Spirit.

• Origin: Mexican
• Meaning: Born on Sunday
• Pronunciation: Dah-MIYN-gaa
• Variations: Dominka
• Popularity: Dominga is uncommon worldwide and mostly used in Mexico, where it ranked 296th in 2014.

Dulcie goes back to the Latin “dulcis,” meaning sweet . It began as a nickname for the medieval Dulcibella and is the Spanish word for “candy.” Dulce also means “sweetness” as a trait your baby girl has in droves.

• Meaning: Sweet
• Pronunciation: DUWL-cey
• Variations: Dulcie
• Namesakes: Dulce María, a Mexican actress appeared in Televisa’s telenovela Rebelde in 2005. Dulce Figueiredo, the First Lady of Brazil from 1979 to 1985.
• Popularity: Dulce is uncommon worldwide and mainly used in Mexico, ranking 158th in 2014.

The first example of Elisa was Elissa, the first queen of Carthage. Many also believe Elisa to be a short form for Elisabeth, based on the Hebrew Elisheva, meaning “God is my oath.”

• Meaning: God’s promise
• Pronunciation: Eh-LIY-Zaa
• Variations: Elissa, Eliza, Elisha
• Namesakes: Elisa Togut, an Italian volleyball player who competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Elisa Zulueta, a Chilean actress appeared in the telenovela Canal 13 (2008).
• Popularity: Elisa ranked 1,076th worldwide, is primarily used in Italy, and ranked 292nd in Mexico in 2014.

Estefania is the Spanish version of Stephanie, which also means “garland.” It’s based on the Greek Stephanos, meaning everything from “honor” and “reward” to “fame” for your baby queen.

• Meaning: Crown
• Pronunciation: Eh-steh-FAEN-yaa
• Variations: Estefanía
• Popularity: Estefania is rare worldwide, mostly used in Spain, and ranked 732nd in Spain in 2014.

Estella is a variation of Estelle, meaning “star” in Latin. Estella is a less typical form of Estelle unless your gal wants to be Estella Havisham from Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations.

• Meaning: Star
• Pronunciation: Eh-STEHL-ah
• Variations: Estela
• Namesakes: Estella Sneider, a Mexican TV personality appearing on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Estella Warren, a Canadian synchronized swimmer and a bronze medalist at the 1995 Junior World Championships.
• Popularity: Estella is rare worldwide, mainly used in the U.S., and ranked 265th in Jamaica in 2014.

Faustina means “enjoying good luck” in Latin and derives from the ancient Roman family name Faustus. In Latin, “faustus” means “fortunate” for the luckiest little lady you love.

• Meaning: Lucky
• Pronunciation: Faw-ZTIY-Naa
• Variations: Faustyna
• Namesakes: Faustina Acheampong, the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana from 1972 to 1978. Faustina Agolley, an Australian TV host of the Australian program Video Hits.
• Popularity: Faustina is rare worldwide, primarily used in Ghana, and ranked 681st in Mexico in 2014.

Ferdinanda is the female equivalent of Fernando, meaning “adventurous” and “bold journey.” It’s not as popular as the male Ferdinand in the Hispanic community, but your sweetest Fernanda can be Nanda too.

• Meaning: Bold voyager
• Pronunciation: Fehr-NAAN-daa
• Variations: Ferdinanda
• Namesakes: Fernanda Romero, a Mexican actress known for the telenovela Eternamente tuya. Fernanda Lissoni, a Brazilian professional water polo player.
• Popularity: Fernanda ranked 1,127th worldwide, is mostly used in Brazil, and ranked 610th in Mexico in 2014.

Florencia derives from the Latin Florentia, for someone “from Florentius.” It’s the medieval English form of Florence, meaning “blooming.” In Latin, the root “florens” also means “flourishing” and “prosperous.”

• Meaning: Flower
• Pronunciation: Flow-REHN-siy-Ah
• Variations: Florenzia
• Namesakes: Florencia Habif, an Argentine field hockey player, and silver medalist at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Florencia Lozano, an American actress appearing on the soap opera One Life to Live.
• Popularity: Florencia is uncommon worldwide and mainly used in Mexico, ranking 332nd in 2014.

Francisca was originally the male Francisco and used to denote someone “from France.” Francisca is also the name for a throwing ax used by the Franks during the Middle Ages.

• Meaning: Free man
• Pronunciation: Frahn-SIYS-kaa
• Variations: Francesca
• Namesakes: Francisca Pleguezuelos, a Spanish member of the Spanish Parliament for Seville from 2000 to 2004. Francisca Campos, a Chile cyclist and bronze medalist at the 2003 Pan American Games.
• Popularity: Francisca ranked 210th worldwide, is primarily used in Brazil, and ranked 56th in Mexico in 2014.

Frida may be super famous for Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, but it’s actually German. Frida includes the German root “fried,” meaning “peace,” and is also popular in Sweden as a nickname for Friederike.

• Origin: Mexican, German
• Meaning: Peace
• Pronunciation: FRIY-Dah
• Variations: Freda, Frieda, Freida
• Namesakes: Frida Kahlo, a Mexican painter known for her naïve folk art style. Frida Hansdotter, a Swedish World Cup alpine ski racer and gold medalist at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
• Popularity: Frida is rare worldwide, mostly used in Tanzania, and ranked 76th in Sweden in 2014.

Gabriela represents the Spanish spelling of Gabriella, the female equivalent of Gabriel. Gabriel is one of the seven archangels in the Bible, but your Gabriela is also a very special “heroine of God.”

• Meaning: God is my strength
• Pronunciation: Gaa-briy-EHL-ah
• Variations: Garbiella
• Namesakes: Gabriela Frías, a Mexican journalist and anchor for CNN en Español. Gabriela Flores, an Argentine film actress appearing in the 1984 film Pasajeros de una pesadilla.
• Popularity: Gabriela ranked 479th worldwide and is mainly used in Mexico, where it ranked 79th in 2014.

Gloria is Latin for everything from “glory” and “fame” to “praise” and “honor.” Among Mexican female names, Gloria takes inspiration from the title of the Virgin Mary as María de Gloria.

• Meaning: Glory
• Pronunciation: GLOW-riy-Ah
• Variations: Gloriah, Gloriya
• Namesakes: Gloria Trevi, a Mexican singer known as “The Supreme Diva of Mexican Pop.” Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the 14th president of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010.
• Popularity: Gloria ranked 132nd worldwide, is primarily used in the U.S., and ranked 41st in Mexico in 2014.

Guadalupe can mean “river of the wolf” based on the Guadalupe River in Extremadura, Spain. It’s a title for the Virgin Mary (Our Lady of Guadalupe) and is a city located in northeastern Mexico.

• Meaning: Wolf valley
• Pronunciation: Gwah-daa-LUW-Pey
• Variations: Guadulupe, Gudalupe
• Namesakes: María Guadalupe Sánchez, a Mexican race walker and gold medalist at the 2000 Pan American Race Walking Cup. Guadalupe Sabio, a Spanish scientist awarded the Princess of Girona Foundation Scientist Prize in 2012.
• Popularity: Guadalupe ranked 630th worldwide and is mostly used in Mexico, ranking 14th in 2014.

Inez is the Spanish version of Agnes, meaning “chaste.” It’s popular in Spanish-speaking cultures and resembles Ines, the mother of Don Juan in the Byron poem.

• Meaning: Pure
• Pronunciation: Iy-NEHS
• Variations: Ines, Innes, Ynes
• Namesakes: Inez Baskin, an American journalist known for her coverage of the Civil Rights Movement. Inez Turner, a Jamaican runner and gold medalist at the 1994 Commonwealth Games.
• Popularity: Inez is rare worldwide, mainly used in the U.S., and ranked 124th in Jamaica in 2014.

Irma derives from the German “irmin,” meaning “world.” It has come to mean “universal” and “entire.” As a Georgian girl’s name, Irma means “deer.”

• Pronunciation: EHR-mah
• Variations: Erma
• Namesakes: Irma Miranda, a Mexican model crowned Mexicana Universal 2022. Irma Toivanen, a Finnish member of the Parliament of Finland from 1970 to 1979.
• Popularity: Irma ranked 499th worldwide and is primarily used in Mexico, where it ranked 65th in 2014.

Like Elizabeth, Isabella is used in Spanish and Italian cultures to mean “God is abundance.” It was originally the Hebrew Elisheba, which means “My God is bountiful” for pious Mexican girls.

• Meaning: God is my oath
• Pronunciation: Ihz-ah-BEHL-ah
• Variations: Issabella, Izabella
• Namesakes: Isabella Rossellini, an Italian-American actress known for Blue Velvet (1986). Isabella Arcila, a Colombian swimmer who competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
• Popularity: Isabella is uncommon worldwide, mostly used in Brazil, and ranked 145th for girls in the U.S. in 2023.

Itotia is an Aztec word for “dance” based in the ancient Nahuatl language of central Mexico. It’s also a very rare Kenyan surname, which explains why the few instances of Itotia mostly occur in Kenya.

• Origin: Mexican, Aztec
• Meaning: Dance
• Pronunciation: Ay-toh-TEE-ah
• Popularity: Itotia is extremely rare worldwide, with 82 known occurrences in 2014, mainly in Kenya.

Iyana might seem like the most mysterious of Hispanic girl names , but it’s actually the female form of Ian. Like John, Sean, and Johan, Iyana dates back to the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning “God is gracious.”

• Meaning: God is gracious
• Pronunciation: Iy-YAAN-ah
• Variations: Iyanah, Iyanna, Iyannah
• Popularity: Iyana is very rare worldwide and primarily used in India.

Jacinta is the Spanish word for Hyacinth. It dates back to the Greek figure Hyacinthus and is known as a beautiful flower. Jacinta also means “wearer of the purple” to mirror the color of the Hyacinth flower.

• Meaning: Hyacinth
• Pronunciation: Hhaa-SIYN-Taa
• Variations: Jacinda, Jacintha
• Namesakes: Jacinta Allan, the current deputy premier of Victoria, Australia, since 2022. Jacinta Stapleton, an Australian actress known for the soap opera Neighbors.
• Popularity: Jacinta is uncommon worldwide, mostly used in Kenya, and ranked 662nd in Mexico in 2014.

Most literally, Jade is a “greenish-blue stone” known to bring luck. For Mexicans, Jade points to “piedra de la ijada” meaning “stone of the side.” It was thought jade could cure colic in babies, adding extra protection for your little one.

• Meaning: Precious gemstone
• Pronunciation: JHEYD
• Variations: Jaede, Jaide
• Namesakes: Jade Ewen, a British singer and member of the girl group Sugababes. Jade Howard, a South African-Zambian swimmer who competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
• Popularity: Jade is rare worldwide, mainly used in England, and ranked 318th in Australia in 2014.

Jimena is an alternate spelling for Ximena, the female form of Simon. It originated as the Hebrew Shim’on but more closely relates to Jimeno to come full circle.

• Meaning: Listener
• Pronunciation: HHiy-MEYN-ah
• Variations: Ximena
• Namesakes: Jimena Elías, a Peruvian beauty pageant contestant crowned Miss Peru Universo 2007. Jimena Florit, an Argentinian cyclist and gold medalist at the Pan American Games.
• Popularity: Jimena is rare worldwide, primarily used in Spain, and ranked 1,158th in Mexico in 2014.

Josefina represents the Spanish and Portuguese spelling of Josephine, based on Joseph. It means “Jehovah increases” when based on the Hebrew “hosíf,” meaning “to increase.”

• Meaning: The Lord adds
• Pronunciation: HHow-seh-FIY-Naa
• Variations: Josephina
• Namesakes: Josefina López, a Mexican playwright who wrote the play Real Women Have Curves. Josefina Plá, a Spanish-born poet awarded the “Ciudadanía Honoraria” by the Paraguayan Parliament in 1998.
• Popularity: Josefina ranked 890th worldwide and is mostly used in Mexico, ranking 54th in 2014.

Juanita is a particularly beloved example of Mexican names for girls based on tradition. Like the male Juan, Juanita means “God’s grace.” It’s also a diminutive of Juana, making it one of the prettiest names for your baby chica.

• Pronunciation: HHwa-NIY-tah
• Namesakes: Juanita Bynum, an American gospel singer known for the 2007 album Piece of My Passion.
• Popularity: Juanita is uncommon worldwide, mainly used in the U.S., and ranked 391st in 2014.

Julieta is the Spanish equivalent of Juliette, both other versions of Julia. All of them mean “youthful” and “Jove’s child,” while Julieta can mean “little Julia.” It’s inspired by the heroine of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

• Meaning: Little Julia
• Pronunciation: Hhuw-liy-YEHT-aa
• Variations: Julietta, Juliette
• Namesakes: Julieta Grajales, a Mexican actress known for the series La Taxista. Julieta Sáenz, a Mexican gymnast who competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
• Popularity: Julieta is uncommon worldwide, primarily used in the Philippines, and ranked 309th in Mexico in 2014.

Kendra is one of the few Celtic names on our list. It means “wise ruler” and “greatest champion” and was popular in the U.S. from the 1980s to the 1990s. Kendra peaked in the U.S. in 1987 but stands out among Mexican female names with style.

• Origin: Mexican, Celtic
• Meaning: Knowing
• Pronunciation: KEHN-Drah
• Variations: Kenndra, Kendrah
• Namesakes: Kendra Smith, an American musician and member of The Dream Syndicate. Kendra Moyle, an American pair skater and the 2006 U.S. Junior national champion.
• Popularity: Kendra is rare worldwide, mostly used in the U.S., and ranked 289th in Belize in 2014.

Leandra is the female form of Leander, meaning “lion man.” It originated with the Greek Leandros and is a character in Greek folklore who falls in love with a woman named Hero.

• Meaning: Lioness
• Pronunciation: Leh-AEN-Drah
• Variations: Leanda, Leeanda
• Namesakes: Leandra Medine, an American author known for Man Repeller, a fashion and lifestyle website. Leandra Leal, a Brazilian actress appearing in the soap opera Pantanal.
• Popularity: Leandra is rare worldwide, mainly used in Brazil, and ranked 1,470th in Mexico in 2014.

Leticia derives from the Latin Letitia, meaning “joy” or “gladness.” It once appeared as Lettice in the Middle Ages but was first known as the Roman goddess Lætitia.

• Meaning: Joy
• Pronunciation: Leh-TIY-shah
• Variations: Letitia, Letisha
• Namesakes: Leticia López Landero, the current Mexican Presidente Municipal of Córdoba, Veracruz. Leticia Gil, a Spanish road cyclist who competed at the 2008 UCI Road World Championships.
• Popularity: Leticia ranked 645th worldwide and is primarily used in Mexico, where it ranked 49th in 2014.

Ligia means “clear-voiced” and “sweet loudness” in the original Greek. In Greek mythology, Ligia (spelled Ligeia) was one of the sirens who appeared as half bird and half woman.

• Meaning: Melodic
• Pronunciation: LIY-hhiy-Ah
• Variations: Ligea, Ligiah, Ligya
• Namesakes: Ligia Grozav, a Romanian high jumper and gold medalist at the Youth World Championships. Ligia Hernández, a Venezuelan beauty pageant contestant in the Miss Venezuela 2008 pageant.
• Popularity: Ligia is uncommon worldwide, mostly used in Mexico, and ranked 970th in Mexico in 2014.

Liliana is based on the Latin “lilium,” meaning “lily.” Many believe Liliana to be an offshoot of Elizabeth, meaning “God is abundance” Either way, Liliana is associated with the meanings “pure” and “innocent,” just like your sweet baby girl.

• Meaning: Lily
• Pronunciation: Lih-liy-AEN-ah
• Variations: Lilliana
• Namesakes: Liliana Ronchetti, an Italian basketball player for Società Ginnastica Comense. Liliana Alonso, an Argentine National Senator from 2001 to 2017.
• Popularity: Liliana ranked 848th worldwide, is mainly used in Argentina, and ranked 138th in 2014.

Lluvia means “rain” in Spanish and comes from the Latin “pluvia.” The song, Lluvia Cae (meaning “rain is falling”), is a well-known song recorded by Enrique Iglesias.

• Meaning: Rain
• Pronunciation: LUW-viy-Ah
• Namesakes: Lluvia Rojo, a Spanish singer and member of the band No Band For Lluvia. Lluvia, a Mexican wrestler for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre.
• Popularity: Lluvia is rare worldwide and primarily used in Mexico, ranking 1,003rd in 2014.

Lola is a modern sensation that began as an adorable version of the Spanish Dolores. In Spanish, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores means “Our Lady of Sorrows.”

• Meaning: Sorrows
• Pronunciation: LOW-Lah
• Variations: Lolita
• Namesakes: Lola Falana, an American singer who made appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Lola Beeth, an Austrian opera singer who performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1895.
• Popularity: Lola is uncommon worldwide, mostly used in Uzbekistan, and ranked 79th for girls in the U.S. in 2014.

Lucia is the ancient Latin version of Lucius, meaning “light.” It’s based on “lux,” meaning “light,” and is often a Spanish alternative to Lucy. St. Lucia was a Christian patron saint of eye diseases.

• Meaning: Light
• Pronunciation: Luw-SIY-ah
• Namesakes: Lucía Trasviña, a Mexican senator for Baja California Sur since 2018. Lucia Kimani, a Kenyan-Bosnian long-distance runner voted the best Bosnian female athlete of 2008.
• Popularity: Lucia ranked 248th worldwide, is mainly used in Italy, and ranked 81st in Mexico in 2014.

Luzelena is one of the more unique variations on Hispanic girl names meaning “light.” It stems from the Spanish title for the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de la Luz, meaning “our lady of light.” The best part is your baby girl can be Luz for short.

• Pronunciation: LUW-zih-Ley-nah
• Variations: Luz
• Namesakes: Luz Elena González, a Mexican actress crowned Nuestra Belleza Jalisco in 1994.
• Popularity: Luzelena is very rare worldwide and primarily used in Brazil.

Malena relates to the Hebrew Magdalena, meaning “from Magdala,” in honor of Mary Magdalene. It’s also very common in Slavic cultures as a girl’s name meaning “small.”

• Meaning: From Magdala
• Pronunciation: Mah-LEH-naa
• Variations: Malinna
• Namesakes: Malena Watrous, an American novelist who contributed to The New York Times. Malena Josephsen, a Faroese footballer for KÍ Klaksvík.
• Popularity: Malena is rare worldwide, mostly used in Spain, and ranked 958th in Argentina in 2014.

Marcia means “of Marcius,” originally a Roman family name. It’s also associated with the Roman given name Marcus. You can use the cute nickname Marcy whenever you wish to.

• Meaning: Dedicated to Mars
• Pronunciation: MAAR-siy-Ah
• Variations: Marzia, Marsia
• Namesakes: Marcia Diamond, a Canadian actress appearing in Black Christmas (1974). Marcia Wallace, an American actress known for the sitcom The Bob Newhart Show.
• Popularity: Marcia ranked 817th worldwide, is mainly used in Brazil, and ranked 1,068th in Mexico in 2014.

Margarita traditionally means “pearl” when derived from the Greek “margarī́tēs.” In Spanish, Margarita translates to “daisy,” which is equally as endearing for your little girl.

• Meaning: Daisy
• Pronunciation: Maar-gaa-RIY-Taa
• Variations: Margaritha
• Namesakes: Margarita Pasos, a Colombian TV host of Margarita te voy a contar on Canal 10. Margarita Pracatan, a Cuban singer who performed on the Clive James show.
• Popularity: Margarita ranked 245th worldwide and is primarily used in Mexico, where it ranked 22nd in 2014.

Maria is the Latin variation of Mary revered by Catholic cultures and also means “bitter,” “beloved,” and “rebellious.” In Mexico, Santa María is one of many names for the Virgin Mary. It also ranked 55th for girls in the U.S. in 2023.

• Meaning: Bitter
• Pronunciation: Mah-RIY-ah
• Variations: Mariya
• Namesakes: Maria Bello, an American actress appearing in Secret Window (2004). Maria Shriver, an American journalist and former First Lady of California.
• Popularity: Maria ranked number one worldwide, is mostly used in Brazil, and ranked number one in Mexico in 2014.

Mariana is one of many Spanish variations of Maria, meaning “of the sea” or “bitter.” Mariana has various spellings, but this one is more common among Spanish and Portuguese girls . Mariana has also been popular in the U.S. since the 1980s.

• Meaning: Star of the sea
• Pronunciation: Mah-riy-AEN-ah
• Variations: Mariana, Maryana, Marianna
• Namesakes: Mariana Frenk-Westheim, a German-Mexican writer known for translating books by Juan Rulfo. Mariana Ochoa, a Mexican singer and member of the group La Onda Vaselina.
• Popularity: Mariana ranked 576th worldwide, is mainly used in Brazil, and ranked 163rd in Mexico in 2014.

Marisol is an unusual form of Maria inspired by the title Maria de la Soledad, meaning “Mary of the Solitude.” For sun-loving Mexican people, Marisol also appears as “mar y sol” in Spanish to represent both “sea and sun.”

• Meaning: Sea and sun
• Pronunciation: Maa-rih-SAAL
• Variations: Marizol, Marysol
• Namesakes: Marisol González, a Mexican beauty pageant titleholder who competed in the Miss Universe 2003 pageant. Marisol Espinoza, the first Vice President of Peru from 2011 to 2016.
• Popularity: Marisol is uncommon worldwide and primarily used in Mexico, ranking 148th in 2014.

Martina is the simple yet effective female equivalent to Martin. Like Martin, it’s based on Roman mythology and Mars, the god of war. Martina can mean both “warlike” and “dedicated to Mars.” It also points to Mars, the fourth planet from the sun.

• Meaning: War-like
• Pronunciation: Maar-TIYN-ah
• Variations: Martyna
• Namesakes: Martina Navratilova, a Czech-American tennis player who won 59 major titles. Martina Stoessel, an Argentine actress appearing in the series Patito Feo (2007).
• Popularity: Martina ranked 617th worldwide, is mostly used in Germany, and ranked 196th in Mexico in 2014.

Maya is the name of the Roman goddess of spring, yet it means “water” when based on the Hebrew “mayim.” For Mexico, Maya represents the ancient people of southern Mexico called the Mayans.

• Meaning: Illusion, dream
• Pronunciation: MAA-Yaa
• Variations: Maiah, Mayah, Maiya
• Namesakes: Maya Angelou, an American writer best known for I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969). Maya Gabeira, a Brazilian surfer who received the ESPY award for Best Female Action Sports Athlete in 2009.
• Popularity: Maya ranked 372nd worldwide, is mainly used in India, and ranked 52nd in Nepal in 2014.

Metzli is the ancient Aztec word for “moon.” In Aztec mythology, Metztli was the gender-neutral god of the moon and the night. Metzli honors the Aztec culture with girl names that start with M .

• Meaning: Moon
• Pronunciation: MEHZT-liy
• Popularity: Metzli is very rare worldwide and primarily used in Mexico.

Mia is taken from the Spanish and Italian “mía,” meaning “mine.” It’s quite different when used by Slavic cultures, where it’s based on “mila,” meaning “dear” and “darling.”

• Origin: Mexican, Slavic
• Meaning: Mine
• Pronunciation: MIY-ah
• Variations: Miya, Miah
• Namesakes: Mia Sara, an American actress known for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986). Mia Davies, the Australian Leader of the Opposition from 2021 to 2023.
• Popularity: Mia is uncommon worldwide, mostly used in Indonesia, and ranked 7th for girls in the U.S. in 2018.

Mira is a particularly Spanish nickname for the Latin Miranda, meaning “admirable.” It also means “prosperous” in Sanskrit and “peace” in Slavic.” In Spanish, “mira” means “look,” which brings it closer to the Mexican tradition.

• Meaning: Admirable
• Pronunciation: MIY-Raa
• Variations: Mirah, Myria, Meera
• Namesakes: Mira Topić, a Croatian volleyball player who competed at the 2015 Women’s European Volleyball Championship. Mira Kuś, a Polish poet and member of the Polish Writers Association.
• Popularity: Mira ranked 483rd worldwide, is mainly used in India, and ranked 20th in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2014.

Miranda means “worthy to be admired” when based on the Latin “mirandus,” meaning “admirable.” Many connect Miranda to Shakespeare’s The Tempest, but it’s also ranked in the top 100 Mexican girl names in 2020 and 2021.

• Pronunciation: Mih-RAEND-ah
• Variations: Mirandah, Myranda
• Namesakes: Miranda Cosgrove, an American actress on Forbes magazine’s “30 Under 30” list in 2022. Miranda Sawyer, an English journalist with the magazine Smash Hits.
• Popularity: Miranda is rare worldwide and primarily used in the U.S., where it ranked 793rd for girls in 2023.

Mireya is one of the more special formations of Miranda, meaning “admired.” It also means “miracle” when taken from the Latin name Mireia. Mireya is also associated with Mira, meaning “wonderful” – perfect if you need more ways to show your baby girl she’s great.

• Meaning: Miracle
• Pronunciation: Miy-REY-aa
• Variations: Mira
• Namesakes: Mireya Luis, a Cuban volleyball player and gold medalist at the 1983 Pan-American Games.
• Popularity: Mireya is rare worldwide and mostly used in Mexico, ranking 313th in 2014.

Narcisa derives from the Latin “narcissus,” a fancy Greek word for the daffodil flower. In Greek mythology , Narcissus falls in love with his own reflection, but you can focus on pretty petals for your flower girl.

• Meaning: Daffodil
• Pronunciation: Naar-SIY-saa
• Variations: Narcissa
• Namesakes: Narcisa Lecuşanu, a Romanian handballer and silver medalist at the 2005 World Championship. Narcisa Pérez Reoyo, a Spanish writer known for Cantos de la infancia (1865).
• Popularity: Narcisa is rare worldwide, mainly used in Ecuador, and ranked 1,012th in Mexico in 2014.

Nita has various origins, from Hebrew and Spanish to Hindi. It means “gift of God,” “grace,” “friendly,” and “to plant.” In Mexico, Nita is a super cute nickname for Juanita and Bonita.

• Origin: Mexican, Indian
• Meaning: Gift of God
• Pronunciation: NIY-Taa
• Variations: Neeta, Nitah, Nyta
• Namesakes: Nita Barrow, the fifth governor-general of Barbados from 1990 to 1995. Nita Talbot, an American actress known for the series Hogan’s Heroes (1967).
• Popularity: Nita is uncommon worldwide, primarily used in India, and ranked 292nd in Indonesia in 2014.

Olina is one of the lesser-known Mexican names for girls, which doesn’t have Spanish roots. It means “joy” in Hawaiian and is also a Scandinavian girl’s name that pairs with Olaf, meaning “ancestor’s heir.”

• Origin: Mexican, Hawaiian
• Meaning: Joyous
• Pronunciation: Ah-LIYN-ah
• Variations: Olenah, Olenna
• Namesakes: Olina Storsand, a Norwegian representative to the Parliament of Norway from 1973 to 1977. Ólína Guðbjörg Viðarsdóttir, an Icelandic footballer for the Icelandic national football team.
• Popularity: Olina is rare worldwide and mostly used in Brazil.

Olivia derives from the Latin “oliva,” meaning “olive.” It stems from olive trees, which have remained a symbol of peace. Olivia was also the number one name for U.S. girls in 2023.

• Meaning: Olive
• Pronunciation: Ah-LIH-viy-Ah
• Variations: Oliveia, Oliviah, Olivya
• Namesakes: Olivia Newton-John, a British-Australian singer and actress known for Grease (1978). Olivia Chow, the mayor-elect of Toronto since 2023.
• Popularity: Olivia ranked 1,270th worldwide and is mainly used in Mexico, where it ranked 206th in 2014.

Palmyra refers to a “city of palm trees” and was the name of a famous city in the 1st century. Also called Tadmur, Palmira (Palmyra) was a city known for its palm trees amid the Syrian desert.

• Meaning: Palm tree
• Pronunciation: Pael-MIY-raa
• Variations: Palmyra, Palmirah
• Namesakes: Palmira Barbosa, an Angolan handball player with the Angolan handball squad. Palmira Maciel, a deputy of the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic since 2015.
• Popularity: Palmira is rare worldwide, primarily used in Angola, and ranked 1,792nd in Mexico in 2014.

Perla is a beautiful Italian and Spanish version of Pearl, taken from the Latin “perla.” When referring to the pearl itself, Perla was once defined as a “sea mollusk gem,” yet it continues to be popular in Mexico.

• Meaning: Pearl
• Pronunciation: PERL-ah
• Variations: Pearl
• Namesakes: Ermelinda Rodríguez (known as Perla), a Paraguayan-Brazilian singer known for her Portuguese-language version of ABBA’s song Fernando. Perla Batalla, an American vocalist and backup singer for Leonard Cohen.
• Popularity: Perla is uncommon worldwide and mostly used in Mexico, ranking 230th in 2014.

Pia means everything from “dutiful” and “devout” to “reverent” and “pious.” It represents the female equivalent to Pio and, in Spain, refers to a location in the eastern Pyrenees mountains.

• Meaning: Pious
• Pronunciation: PIY-aa
• Variations: Piah, Pya
• Namesakes: Pia Guerra, an American-Canadian comic book artist and co-creator of Y: The Last Man. Pia Tikka, a Finnish film director for Sand Bride (1998).
• Popularity: Pia is rare worldwide, mainly used in Germany, and ranked 32nd in Denmark in 2014.

Pilar also means “tall and strong” in Latin. It’s best known in the Catholic faith through the title “María del Pilar,” meaning “Mary of the Pillar.” It’s also “Nuestra Señora del Pilar,” meaning “Our Lady of the Pillar,” for a show of strength.

• Meaning: Pillar
• Pronunciation: Piy-LAAR
• Variations: Pillar, Pylar
• Namesakes: Pilar Ramírez, a Mexican synchronized swimmer and bronze medalist at the 1983 Pan American Games. Pilar Rioja, a Mexican dancer who helped create the Fondo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes (FONCA) in 2003.
• Popularity: Pilar is uncommon worldwide, primarily used in Spain, and ranked 498th in Mexico in 2014.

Querida comes from the Spanish verb “querer,” meaning “to love” and “to desire.” It’s a term of endearment used in Spanish cultures for the ones we love most.

• Meaning: Beloved, darling
• Pronunciation: Keh-RIY-dah
• Variations: Quereeda, Queridah, Querrida
• Popularity: Querida is very rare worldwide and mostly used in the U.S.

Regina means queen , not because your little girl is your favorite royal. It was used as an English title for the queen. Regina was also an early Christian saint, so you’ve got regal and spiritual areas covered.

• Meaning: Queen
• Pronunciation: Rah-GIYN-ah
• Variations: Ragina
• Namesakes: Regina Martínez Pérez, a Mexican journalist who reported for Proceso magazine. Regina George, an American-Nigerian sprinter and silver medallist at the 2012 African Championships.
• Popularity: Regina ranked 308th worldwide, is mainly used in Brazil, and ranked 78th in Tanzania in 2014.

Renata is the female version of the Latin Renatus, meaning “born again.” It uses the Latin “renasci,” meaning “to be born again,” to emphasize a spiritual awakening.

• Meaning: Reborn
• Pronunciation: Reh-NAA-taa
• Namesakes: Renata Beger, a Polish member of the Sejm from 2001 to 2007. Renata Končić (known as Minea), a Croatian TV presenter for Tvoje lice zvuči poznato.
• Popularity: Renata ranked 1,318th worldwide, is primarily used in Brazil, and ranked 1,356th in Mexico in 2014.

Like many Mexican female names, Rocio refers to the Virgin Mary as the “Virgin of the Dew.” It’s not common in the U.S. but is a constant favorite in Central and Latin American countries like Mexico.

• Meaning: Dewdrops
• Pronunciation: Row-SIY-ow
• Variations: Rosio
• Namesakes: Rocío González Navas, the First Lady of Ecuador from 2017 until 2021. Rocío Ybarra, a Spanish field hockey player for Real Club Jolaseta.
• Popularity: Rocio ranked 1,675th worldwide and is mostly used in Mexico, ranking 95th in 2014.

Rosa is a very famous Spanish name meaning “rose” (and the equivalent to the English Rose). In Spanish-speaking cultures, Rosa is often paired with other names, like Rosa María or Rosalina. It also ranked 581st for U.S. girls in 2023.

• Meaning: Rose
• Pronunciation: ROW-Zah
• Variations: Rosia, Rosita
• Namesakes: Rosa Fuentes, a Mexican swimmer who competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics. Rosa Nissán, a Mexican writer known for the novel Novia que te vea (1992).
• Popularity: Rosa ranked 52nd worldwide and is mainly used in Mexico, where it ranked 10th in 2014.

Rosalita may be the sweetest of the Spanish-inspired “rose” names. It’s a diminutive for several names, including Rosalia, Rosa, and Rosario. It’s also been immortalized by a badass Bruce Springsteen song called Rosalita (Come Out Tonight).

• Meaning: Little rose
• Pronunciation: Row-sah-LIY-Tah
• Variations: Rosarita
• Popularity: Rosalita is rare worldwide and primarily used in the Philippines, ranking 1,324th in 2014.

Sancha means “sacred” in Latin and is associated with Sancia. It derives from the Latin Sanctus, which became Santo for boys. Sancha Alfonso was a 10th-century Spanish queen who was venerated by the Catholic Church.

• Meaning: Holy
• Pronunciation: SAENCH-aa
• Variations: Sanchah
• Namesakes: Sancha of Aragon, an illegitimate daughter of King Alfonso II of Naples who married Gioffre Borgia, the son of Pope Alexander VI in 1494.
• Popularity: Sancha is rare worldwide, mostly used in India, and ranked 134th in Bhutan in 2014.

While most recognize the Hebrew spelling of Sarah, meaning “princess,” it appears as Sara in Spanish cultures. Sara may also mean “contentious” and ranked 173rd for girls in the U.S. in 2018.

• Meaning: Princess
• Pronunciation: SAER-ah
• Variations: Sarah
• Namesakes: Sara Ramírez, a Mexican-American actor appearing in the 2005 Broadway musical Spamalot. Sara Haines, an American TV co-host of the ABC talk show The View.
• Popularity: Sara ranked 108th worldwide, is mainly used in Egypt, and ranked 116th in Mexico in 2014.

Seina’s origins are quite mysterious, other than meaning “the innocent one” in Latin. It’s more common as an alternative to the Japanese Shiena, meaning “the star” – perfect for young girls who crave fame.

• Origin: Mexican, Japanese
• Meaning: Innocent
• Pronunciation: SEY-Naa
• Variations: Sheina
• Namesakes: Seina Shimabukuro, a Japanese actress appearing in the reality TV series Terrace House: Boys × Girls Next Door (2012 to 2014). Seina Nakata, a Japanese actress known for Meet Me After School (2018).
• Popularity: Seina is very rare worldwide and primarily used in Cameroon.

Sofia is the Spanish spelling of Sophia, meaning “wisdom” in Greek. It was a name used to represent the Holy Spirit in the Christian trinity and first appeared in the 4th-century. Sofia ranked 49th for girls in the U.S. in 2023.

• Meaning: Wisdom
• Pronunciation: Sow-FIY-ah
• Variations: Sophia
• Namesakes: Sofía Tartilán, a Spanish writer who edited the newspaper La Caza (1865 to 1868). Sofia Djama, an Algerian director known for The Blessed (2017).
• Popularity: Sofia ranked 656th worldwide and is mostly used in Mexico, ranking 164th in 2014.

Solana also means “winds from the east” in Latin. You might prefer the Spanish meaning of “sunshine,” based on “sol,” meaning “sun.” Solana refers to the “sunny side of a mountain” and is the name of a beachy locale in San Diego, California.

• Meaning: Sunshine
• Pronunciation: Sow-LAA-naa
• Variations: Solanah, Solanna
• Popularity: Solana is very rare worldwide and mainly used in Tanzania.

Soledad is the Spanish title for the Virgin Mary in the form of Maria de Soledad. It’s more typical as a Spanish surname but would stand out as a beautiful celebration of faith for your baby girl.

• Meaning: Solitary one
• Pronunciation: Sow-ley-DAAD
• Variations: Soledada
• Namesakes: Soledad O’Brien, an American co-anchor for CNN’s American Morning from 2003 to 2007. Soledad Alvear, the Chilean president of the Christian Democrat Party from 2006 to 2008.
• Popularity: Soledad is uncommon worldwide and primarily used in Mexico, where it ranked 284th in 2014.

Susana is the Spanish spelling for Susanna, meaning “lily.” It also dates back to the Hebrew “shoshaná,” meaning “rose.” Susana is associated with the ancient Egyptian “sšn,” meaning “lotus flower.”

• Pronunciation: Suw-SAA-naa
• Variations: Susanna
• Namesakes: Susana Molinari Ligmabalz, an Argentine writer known for El Jardín del Silencio (The Garden of the Silence) in 1939. Susana Harp, a Mexican senator in the LXIV Legislature of the Mexican Congress since 2018.
• Popularity: Susana ranked 584th worldwide, is mostly used in Argentina, and ranked 96th in Mexico in 2014.

Teodora is the female version of Theodore and the Spanish variation of Theodora, meaning “gift of God.” It’s made up of the Greek “theós,” meaning “God,” and “dôron,” meaning “gift.”

• Meaning: Gift from God
• Pronunciation: Teh-ow-DHOW-Raa
• Variations: Theodora
• Namesakes: Teodora Poštič, a Slovenian figure skater and a four-time Slovenian national champion from 2006 to 2009. Teodora Sava, a Romanian singer who competed in the reality TV series X Factor Romania.
• Popularity: Teodora is uncommon worldwide and mainly used in Mexico, ranking 381st in 2014.

Tiana first meant “princess” in Greek, but it is the Spanish word for “aunt” in Spanish. In Madagascar, Tiana means “favored,” but is also a pet name for Christina, Diana, and Tatiana.

• Meaning: Aunt
• Pronunciation: Tiy-AA-naa
• Variations: Tia
• Namesakes: Tiana Brown, an American dancer known for performing with Christina Aguilera. Tiana Benjamin, an English actress known for the series EastEnders.
• Popularity: Tiana is rare worldwide and primarily used in Madagascar, where it ranked 10th in 2014.

Tierra is the Spanish word meaning “earth,” derived from the Latin “terra,” also meaning “land.” Terra referred to Tellus Mater, meaning “Mother Earth,” the Roman earth goddess who ruled over all.

• Meaning: Earth
• Pronunciation: Tiy-EH-raa
• Variations: Tierre
• Namesakes: Tierra Whack, an American rapper nominated at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards for Best Music Video.
• Popularity: Tierra is rare worldwide and mostly used in the U.S.

Toci is the name of the Aztec earth goddess, also the patron saint of midwives. It’s based on the Aztec-Nahuatl “tocih,” meaning “our grandmother,” signifying a great goddess to watch over your little one.

• Meaning: Our grandmother
• Pronunciation: TOW-siy
• Popularity: Toci is extremely rare worldwide, with 61 known occurrences in 2014, mainly in Indonesia.

Tula has a wide variety of origins, including Spanish, Greek, Hindi, and Choctaw. It can mean “tranquil” and “mountain peak,” perhaps inspired by the Native American Tula people in western Arkansas.

• Meaning: Leaping water
• Pronunciation: TUW-Lah
• Variations: Toula, Tulah, Tulla
• Namesakes: Tula Benites, a Peruvian congresswoman between 2006 and 2011. Tula Small, an Australian TV personality appearing on the series The Recruits.
• Popularity: Tula is rare worldwide, primarily used in India, and ranked 245th in Cambodia in 2014.

In Spanish, Ula is a nickname for Eulalie, while it’s a pet form of Urszula in Poland. Ula also means “jewel of the sea” in Gaelic and is a Scandinavian girl’s name meaning “wealthy.”

• Meaning: Sweetly spoken
• Pronunciation: UW-Laa
• Variations: Ulaa, Ulah
• Namesakes: Ula Ložar, a Slovenian singer participating in the 2014 Junior Eurovision song contest.
• Popularity: Ula is rare worldwide and mostly used in Poland, ranking 194th in 2014.

Valeria originated with the Latin “valere,” meaning “to be strong.” It means “powerful” and healthy,” both good things to wish for the baby girl you’re expecting.

• Meaning: Strength, health
• Pronunciation: Vaa-LEH-riy-Ah
• Variations: Valaria
• Namesakes: Valeria Spält, a Swiss curler and silver medalist at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Valeria Rocio Diaz, an Argentine actress appearing in the telenovela Chiquititas.
• Popularity: Valeria ranked 1,555th worldwide, is mainly used in Brazil, and ranked 543rd in Mexico in 2014.

Many believe Vanessa originally appeared as the Greek Phanessa, Pandora’s daughter who loved butterflies. It’s even thought to be a modern invention by the writer Jonathan Swift, for his 1726 poem Cadenus and Vanessa.

• Meaning: Of Venus
• Pronunciation: Vaa-NEHS-ah
• Variations: Vennesa, Vanesa
• Namesakes: Vanessa Huppenkothen, a Mexican TV presenter for ESPN Mexico. Vanessa Djomo, a Cameroonian footballer for Kdz. Ereğli Belediye Spor.
• Popularity: Vanessa ranked 579th worldwide, is primarily used in Brazil, and ranked 444th in Mexico in 2014.

Veronica comes from the Latin “veraiconica,” made up of “verus,” meaning “true,” and “iconicus,” meaning “belonging to an image.” It’s tied to an ancient Christian relic said to contain the face of Christ. Veronica also ranked 151st for U.S. girls in 2023.

• Meaning: True image
• Pronunciation: Vaa-RAAN-ih-Kah
• Variations: Veronika, Veronicka
• Namesakes: Verónica Castro, a Mexican singer known for the 1986 Latin recording of We Are The World. Verónica Pérez, a Mexican footballer for Atlas.
• Popularity: Veronica ranked 211th worldwide and is mostly used in Mexico, where it ranked 33rd in 2014.

Victoria is the classic female equivalent for Victor meaning “victorious” in Latin. Victoria was the Roman goddess of victory whose fame continued right through Queen Victoria’s reign. Victoria also ranked 232nd for U.S. girls in 2023.

• Meaning: Victory
• Pronunciation: Vihk-TOWR-iy-Ah
• Variations: Victoriah, Victorria, Viktoria
• Namesakes: Victoria Palacios, a Mexican racewalker and gold medalist at the 2003 Pan American Games. Victoria Ruffo, a Mexican actress known for the 1989 telenovela Simplemente María.
• Popularity: Victoria ranked 206th worldwide, is mainly used in Nigeria, and ranked 122nd in Mexico in 2014.

Vida is the Spanish word meaning “life” taken from the Latin “vita.” It’s also considered a feminine form of David, meaning “beloved” or “friend” in Hebrew.

• Meaning: Life
• Pronunciation: VIY-Dah
• Variations: Vita
• Namesakes: Vida Vencienė, a Lithuanian cross-country skier and gold medalist at the 1988 Winter Olympics. Vida Guerra, a Cuban-American model appearing in FHM magazine in 2002.
• Popularity: Vida is rare worldwide, primarily used in Ghana, and ranked 25th in Lithuania in 2014.

Violeta is mostly an Eastern European form of Violet, based on the Latin “viola.” The violet flower symbolizes innocence and modesty and is famous for its vibrant purple color.

• Meaning: Violet flower
• Pronunciation: Viy-ow-LEHT-ah
• Variations: Violetta
• Namesakes: Violeta Retamoza, a Mexican golfer playing on the LPGA Tour. Violeta Isfel, a Mexican actress appearing in the telenovela Una familia con suerte.
• Popularity: Violeta is uncommon worldwide, mostly used in the Philippines, and ranked 469th in Mexico in 2014.

Ziomara is a possible variant of Guiomar, an “X” name originating from the indigenous inhabitants of the Canary Islands. It’s likely also associated with the German Wigmar, meaning “battle ready.”

• Meaning: Ready for battle
• Pronunciation: Siy-ow-MAAR-aa
• Namesakes: Xiomara Castro, the 56th president of Honduras since 2022. Xiomara Griffith, a Venezuelan judoka who competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
• Popularity: Xiomara is rare worldwide, mainly used in Cuba, and ranked 141st in Mexico in 2014.

Xochitl is an alternate spelling for “xōchitl,” the Aztec-Nahuatl word meaning “flower.” In the Aztec calendar, Xochitl is the goddess of youth, love, and artists.

• Pronunciation: SOWCH-tiyl
• Namesakes: Xochitl Dominguez Benetton, a Mexican scientist and recipient of the 2022 Distinguished Mexicans Award. Xóchitl Montes de Oca, the current Deputy of the LXI Legislature of the Mexican Congress.
• Popularity: Xochitl is rare worldwide and primarily used in Mexico, ranking 399th in 2014.

Yamais’s exact meaning is unclear, but it possibly links to the Mayan God of Death, Yama. Yamais’s official name is Yum Cimil, and his or her likeness has appeared in many Mayan temples in Mexico.

• Meaning: Unknown
• Pronunciation: YAH-maas
• Popularity: Yamais is extremely rare worldwide, with just 12 known occurrences in 2014, mostly in Papua New Guinea.

Yesenia means “palm tree” in Spanish and “floral” in Arabic. It may have originally appeared as Jessenia, based on the Latin “jesse,” meaning “gift.” Yesenia is going strong in Mexico and other Latin American countries for its striking femininity.

• Pronunciation: Yeh-SEH-niy-aa
• Variations: Yessenia
• Namesakes: Yesenia Nolasco Ramírez, the Mexican municipal president of Tehuantepec from 2017 to 2018. Yesenia Miranda, a Salvadoran racewalker who competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
• Popularity: Yesenia is uncommon worldwide and mainly used in Mexico, where it ranked 243rd in 2014.

Yolanda is a unique version of a Violante, based on the Latin “viola,” meaning “violet blossom.” It similarly means “purple flower” in Greek and is one of the most treasured Mexican girl names.

• Pronunciation: Yow-LAAN-Dah
• Variations: Yollanda
• Namesakes: Yolanda Andrade, a Mexican actress appearing in the telenovela Las secretas intenciones (1992). Yolanda Quijano, a Mexican painter and a member of the Salón de la Plástica Mexicana.
• Popularity: Yolanda ranked 448th worldwide and is primarily used in Mexico, ranking 61st in 2014.

In the Aztec-Nahuatl language, Yolihuani is composed of “yolli,” meaning “heart,” and “huani,” meaning “to be happy.” In addition, it means “source of life” and rarely occurs, even in Spanish-speaking countries.

• Meaning: Source of life
• Pronunciation: Yoh-lih-HHWAA-Niy
• Popularity: Yolihuani is extremely rare worldwide, with just three known occurrences in 2014 in Mexico.

Zamora is better known as a Spanish surname for someone living in the city of Zamora in northwest Spain. It’s associated with the Latin “ocellodurum,” meaning “castle of the birds,” and became Zamora during the Middle Ages.

• Meaning: Wild olives
• Pronunciation: Zah-MAOR-Ah
• Variations: Zammora, Zamorah
• Namesakes: Alejandro Zamora Moya (known as Zamora), a Venezuelan musician nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Age Album in 2010.
• Popularity: Zamora is very rare worldwide, mostly used in the U.S., and ranked 1,618th in Suriname in 2014.

Zita means “the seeker” in Spanish, but it’s also an Italian nickname for Felizitas, based on the Latin Felicia. In Basque culture, Zita means “saint,” while it means “mistress” in Arabic and “hunter” in Greek.”

• Meaning: Little hope
• Pronunciation: ZIY-Taa
• Variations: Zeeta, Zeita, Zitah
• Namesakes: Zita Szabó, a Hungarian triathlete who competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Zita Leeson Weinshienk, a judge for the U.S. District Court of Colorado from 1979 to 2011.
• Popularity: Zita is rare worldwide, mainly used in Hungary, and ranked 1,209th in Mexico in 2014.

Zurina means “white” in Spanish and Arabic. It can also mean “pure” and “heavenly” for the celestial little girl you love most.

• Pronunciation: Zuh-RIYN-ah
• Variations: Zureina, Zurinah, Zurinna
• Popularity: Zurina is rare worldwide and primarily used in Malaysia, where it ranked 353rd in 2014.

About the Author

Maryana Vestic

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Guest Voz: “You’re not really Mexican” – a personal essay about my cultural identity crisis

Latina Lista

In guest voz , znew headline.

By Sophia Campos VoiceBox Media

All my life I’ve lived between two worlds.

As a Mexican-American, it’s easy to be confused as to which world you think you should identify with more; I feel undoubtedly Mexican-American when I make tamales or listen to mariachis, but that feeling fades away when I speak broken Spanish.

Spanish might not seem like an important characteristic for all Mexican-Americans, but not knowing it in central Texas— an area where Spanish is spoken all over the region by Mexican-Americans —can surely make you feel like a foreigner.

Although I sometimes feel confused as to which world I belong to, there’s no question I’m first and foremost an American; I’m the product of my Mexican grandparents’ American Dream, I’ve never been to Mexico (besides Cancun, where there are probably more American tourists than Mexicans) and I can’t say certain words in Spanish without revealing my obvious American accent.

Growing up, I always lived in predominantly Caucasian neighborhoods in states that have very low Hispanic populations, thus the majority of my friends throughout my life have been Caucasian. I never really understood that I was any different than my Caucasian friends because we really weren’t. We lived in the same neighborhood, went to the same school, and our parents had similar jobs. We shopped at the same stores, joined the same clubs, and so on.

Even though we had similarities, I knew I was different because I looked different, ate different foods and my parents spoke Spanish to each other. I started realizing I also belonged to another world when my friends and I started hitting puberty, and they would complain about Mexicans whistling at them.

I’d ask, “Mexicans?” and they would say yes, it had to have been Mexicans because it happened at the construction site down the block. When I would respond defensively to their claims—because even at a young age I took offense to and recognized these stereotypes—they would reply with “well, you’re not really Mexican…you know what I mean!”

As a young girl, I wouldn’t argue further when I heard remarks like that, but I’ve always wondered: what did my friends mean? Did they mean that since my dad had a white-collar job, and since I spoke English without an accent like they did, that I must not have been of Mexican descent? What made them assume that all Hispanics were Mexican? Where did these warped stereotypes come from?

It’s not uncommon to find myself in these awkward situations; more recently I found myself the only Mexican-American among a group of Caucasian adults, who, as a result of my presence, were having a very restrained conversation about their “changing” neighborhoods, and their desire to move away because “the demographics” were shifting—which, I inferred, meant more Hispanics were moving in and they wanted to get out.

I feel an inherent responsibility to correct people when they categorize all Hispanics as Mexicans or when I hear an incorrect stereotype because I’m both offended and desperate to try and educate people about this topic. What puzzles me, though, is that although I feel alienated and oftentimes hurt when people make these remarks, I know that the people making them are also just like me. I have more in common with them than Mexicans.

What I’ve learned from living between these two worlds is that how you identify with someone isn’t necessarily based on race or ethnicity, it’s socio-economic class.

Sure, people of the same culture share traditions and practices, but what makes someone truly identify with someone else is sharing a similar lifestyle. A poor Caucasian kid will have more in common with a poor Mexican kid than with a rich Caucasian kid, no matter the cultural similarities or differences between them.

However, not many people look for similarities in people across cultures since our American history includes exclusion of so many groups, including Hispanics.

One of the most recent examples is Trump suggesting that Mexicans are “rapists” and “drug dealers.” Instances like this is no wonder that there might be a cultural divide between Mexican-Americans and Caucasians, and even confusion that Mexican-Americans are indeed just as American as everyone else.

Even though I sometimes face confusion about my cultural identity, I know that, after all, America is a melting pot. This debate within myself is the product of being fed the incessant mantra that we are truly a multicultural and diverse nation, and I’m sure Mexican-Americans aren’t the only ones in this country who experience this self-reflection.

I believe that this multiculturalism is what America has tried to achieve all along, and I believe that we are supposed to be a melting pot. This realization has made it easier for me to identify myself as Mexican-American; I know I can exist happily between these two worlds, accepting the American part of me as well as the fundamental Mexican part of me.  

Sophia Campos is a 21-year-old student at Texas State University.

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11 Mexican Slang Words Only the Locals Know

Written by Carmela Rodriguez

Carmela is a journalist from London. She's traveled from Asia to South America, where she got (temporarily) lost in the Peruvian Amazon. She quit the rainy UK and moved to Medellín, Colombia, where she has lived for two years

Last Updated on May 2, 2019

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So you’re heading to Mexico and want to talk and haggle like a local. Every country has its own, unique slang words, and Mexico is home to some of the largest variations of the Spanish language in the world. Always stay polite, and only use slang if the environment is appropriate. Here are some of the most used Mexican slang words and phrases:

Warning: This article contains strong language

One of the most used slang words in Mexico is calling someone a ‘pendejo’. While the word ‘pendejo’ literally means ‘pubic hair’ it’s the equivalent of calling someone ‘stupid’ or an ‘asshole’ and can be used in both an endearing way (between friends) or in an offensive way — it all depends on the tone of voice. While Mexican Spanish varies greatly from other Latin American countries, you can also find this word used in countries such as Colombia and Venezuela. Wherever you’re using the word, it’s mildly offensive, so must be used with caution. For example, ‘Eres un pendejo’ means ‘You’re an asshole’.

Güey, sometimes spelled in the way it is pronounced as ‘wey’, means “mate” and is used all the time in Mexican Spanish. For example ‘ ¿Como vas, wey?’ means, ‘ How’s it going, mate? ’

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3. Chido & Padre

If you want to say something is cool, use the word ‘chido’. For example, ‘ Esa camisa es muy chida ‘ means, ‘ That shirt is really cool! ‘. You can also use the word ‘padre’ to say the same thing. While ‘padre’ means father in Spanish, in Mexican Spanish it also means ‘cool’. For example ‘ ¡Que padre!’  means ‘ How cool! ‘

While the literal translation of ‘cabrón’ is a male goat, its slang meaning is somewhat ruder. It generally translates to ‘asshole’, ‘fucker’ or ‘bitch’. It’s an offensive term and the type of word that shouldn’t be said in front of children. On the flip side, it can also be used in a positive way to say you’re ‘really fucking good at something’, for example, ‘ Soy bien cabrón cantando’  would mean, ‘ I’m fucking good at singing ’.

5. Buena Onda

The phrase ‘buena onda’ means the equivalent of good vibes or good going. If a place has ‘buena onda’ it means it has a cool atmosphere. A person can also be of ‘buena onda’, which means they are laidback and easy to get along with. Put your Spanish to the test and meet some chilled locals with one these exciting tours in Mexico .

Using ‘la neta’ in a sentence is generally like saying ‘really?’ or ‘the truth?’. It can be used to ask someone to confirm something or to make a declaration like ‘ La neta te amo !’ which means ‘The truth is, I love you!’. La neta can also be a way to emphasize a statement, like ‘ Mi nave es la neta wey! ‘, which roughly translates to ‘My ride is the shit, man!’.

Pinche is a word used to exaggerate or enhance what you’re saying. It translates to ‘fucking’ (in a non-sexual way) and it can be used in the context of phrases such as: ‘ My fucking car is broken ‘ which would be ‘ Mi pinche nave esta roto ‘.

Nearly every Spanish speaking country has its own word for a hangover, and Mexico is no exception. The word ‘crudo’, which literally means ‘raw’, is used to describe a hangover in Mexico slang. ‘ ¡ Estoy muy crudo esta mañana! ’ means ‘ I am really hungover this morning! ‘

If you’re a party animal looking to refine your Spanish, see how to say you’re hungover like a local in Colombia with these Colombian Slang Phrases .

While the literal meaning of the word ‘fresa’ is strawberry, in Mexican slang it can also be used to describe a person that’s snobby or stuck-up. ‘ Mi jefa es muy fresa ’ would mean, ‘ My boss is really stuck up .’

10. ¡A huevo!

While the word ‘huevo’ in Spanish means ‘egg’, the phrase ‘ ¡A huevo! ’ has nothing to do with food. It actually means ‘hell yeah!’ ‘Want to come to the party tonight? ¡A huevo ! ’

The feminine version of the word, hueva, can also be used to describe feeling lazy. ‘ Tengo mucha hueva ‘ means ‘I’m feeling lazy’.

11. Chinga Tu Madre

To be reserved for only the most necessary situations, ‘ chinga tu madre ‘ means ‘ go fuck yourself ‘. If someone has really made you angry, this is the phrase for you. It can also be used in a more light-hearted way, meaning ‘you’re annoying me, go away’ but again, it depends on the tone of your voice when you say it.

If you’re heading South and want to refine your Spanish, be sure to read up on the Best Spanish Schools in Latin America and secure a seat to speak like a local.

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