If you’re learning Spanish, you may want to use your new command of the language to show your mom how much you love her. That’s why in this article, we compiled a list of 13 common nicknames that you can use to say mom in Spanish.
This list contains popular words that Spanish speakers use to call their moms. Some of these nicknames are considered standard Spanish and others are slang Spanish. Make sure you read carefully the descriptions of these nicknames so you find one that you and your mom may like.
1. Má
Má is the shortened version of ‘mamá’, as a result, this may be one of the most popular nicknames for moms in Spanish. We use ‘má’ when calling or talking directly to our mom. It’s not used to talk to others about her. This Spanish word can be translated as ‘ma’ or ‘mom’.
¡Má! Ya llegué, ¿dónde estás?
Ma! I’m home, where are you?
Te quiero mucho, má
I love you very much, ma
Ya me voy, má, llego hasta en la noche
I’m leaving, mom, I’ll be back tonight
Oye, má, ¿sabes dónde está mi cartera?
Hey, mom, do you know where my wallet is?
2. Mami
In Spanish, ‘mami’ is a very loving and intimate word that we use to call our moms. It means ‘mommy’ or ‘mum’. Although it may be considered a word more commonly used by kids, the truth is that all people use it when they want to be extra affectionate with their moms.
For instance, young people and teenagers may use ‘mami’ as a way to flatter their moms and get their permission to do something ;). But if you have a nice and loving relationship with your mom, you should definitely consider using this nickname with her.
¡Feliz cumpleaños, mami! Te queremos mucho
Happy birthday, mommy! We love you so much
Te extraño mucho, mami, ¿cómo están mi papá y tú?
I miss you so much, mum, how are you and dad?
Oye, mami, ¿puedo salir con mis amigos hoy en la noche?
Hey, mum, can I go out with my friends tonight?
Since ‘mami’ is a very affectionate and intimate word, some speakers may avoid using it in public because they may seem to be a mama’s boy or a bit spoiled. However, this word is quite popular among women when talking about their moms.
Take Note: In Latin American countries, parents may use ‘mami’ as a pet name for their baby daughters. Additionally, it can also be used as a slang word to call a young women ‘hot’.
3. Amá
In Latin American countries, amá is a very popular, informal and affectionate nickname for moms. This word is another shortened version of ‘máma’. Although this word originated in country and rural areas, nowadays it’s quite common in big cities. Most of the time, we use ‘amá’ to call or to talk directly to our ‘mom’. This word could be translated as ‘ma’ or ‘mom’
¡Amá! ¿Dónde pongo tu bolsa?
Ma! Where should I put your bag?
¡Amá! ¡Calma a tu hijo o lo voy a calmar yo!
Mum! Calm your son down or I’ll do it!
¿Qué vas a hacer hoy, amá? ¿Quieres ir al cine?
What are you going to do today, mum? Do you want to go to the movies?
Taka Note: ‘Amá’ is a slang Latin-American nickname for mums. Don’t use it in formal situations. If your mom knows Spanish, you may want to make sure that she’ll like this nickname since some moms think this is too casual to address her. (My mom will totally kill us if we used it with her, that doesn’t prevent her from using it with her own mother, though… the hypocrisy!)
4. Mamá
Mamá is a standard Spanish word that we use to say ‘mom’. Although it’s not exactly a nickname, there’s no way your mom can be offended if you use this word to call her. Unlike other nicknames, ‘mamá’ can also be used when talking to other people about your ‘mom’. As a Spanish standard word, ‘mamá’ is the direct translation of ‘mom’.
¡Mamá! Voy a la tienda, ¿necesitas algo?
Mom! I’m going to the store, do you need anything?
¡Charlie! Tanto tiempo sin verte, ¿cómo está tu mamá?
Charlie! Long time no see! How is your mom?
¿Ya le dijiste a tu mamá que nos vamos a ir el fin de semana a la playa?
Did you already tell your mom that we’re going to the beach this weekend?
Take Note: Just like ‘mom’, ‘mamá’ is very appropriated for situations where you’re referring to your mom. Additionally, it’s a nice word for moms that are not fond of funny nicknames.
5. Amami
Amami is an informal and slang variation of ‘mami’. Therefore, this Spanish nickname for moms could be translated as ‘mummy’ or ‘ma’. Although it’s commonly used in Mexico, this word is not as well-known or common in other Spanish-speaking countries. So, if you want to have a more unique way to call your mom in Spanish, this may be a good option for you.
¡Amami! ¡Ya me voy! Te veo alrato
Ma! I’m leaving! See you later
¿Necesita que le ayude con esto amami?
Mummy, do you want me to help you with this?
¡Amami! ¡Te hablan por teléfono! Es la abuela
Ma! You have a call! It’s grandma!
Take Note: Just like ‘mami’, ‘amami’ is a very affectionate word that Mexican speakers use with their moms. They avoid using it in public situations. It’s commonly used to call our moms.
Related Resource: To Leave in Spanish – Dejar, Salir, Irse
6. Mi vieja / Mi viejita
In Latin American countries, vieja or viejita are two affectionate terms for mothers. Usually, these nicknames are used with elderly moms. ‘Vieja’ or ‘viejita’ usually mean ‘elderly women’, therefore, in this context, they would be translated as ‘my old lady’ or simply ‘mum’. You can use either one of these words to refer to your mom or as a nickname for her.
¿Qué quieres, viejita?
What do you need, mum?
Mi viejita ha estado muy enferma últimamente
My mum has been very sick lately
Todos los días extraño mucho a mi vieja
I miss my old lady every day
Take Note: This nickname is appropriate for elderly moms, as a result, some young moms may feel a little bit offended if you use this word with them. If you’re still worried about this, you can say ‘mi viejita’ which is a softer term.
7. Madrecita
Madrecita is the diminutive form of ‘madre’ (mother). It literally means ‘little mother’, as a result, it’s a nice and lovable term that Spanish speakers use to say ‘mom’ or to call their mothers by. Since it’s a diminutive form, ‘madrecita’ could be used as a way to pamper your mom. This word is also popular to talk about an elderly mom.
¿Cómo estás, madrecita?
How are you (little) mother?
¡Feliz día de la madre, madrecita hermosa!
Happy Mother’s day, you beautiful (little) mother!
Madrecita, ¿qué vamos a hacer el fin de semana?
Mother, what are we going to do on the weekend?
Take Note: Since ‘madre’ (mother) is a standard and formal word in Spanish, some speakers perceive this word as too cold and formal to use with their moms. As a result, they’ll say ‘madrecita’ instead.
8. Jefa
This is a slang and funny nickname that Mexicans use to say ‘mom’. In a standard context, jefa means ‘boss (female)’. Therefore, when Mexicans use this word as a nickname for their moms, they’re implying that she is their boss. When used as a nickname, ‘jefa’ would be translated as ‘mom’ or ‘ma’. You can use this word to call you mother by directly or as an informal way to refer to your mom when talking to other people.
Oye, jefa, ¿has visto mis llaves?
Hey, ma, have you seen my keys?
La neta mi jefa cocina bien rico
To be honest, my mom cooks very well
Mañana es el cumpleaños de mi jefa y no sé qué regalarle
Tomorrow is my mom’s birthday and I don’t know what to buy her
Take Note: ‘Jefa’ is more commonly used by men and very young women. Additionally, you may use the diminutive form ‘jefecita’ as a nickname for an elderly mom. Patrona is a synonym of ‘jefa’, as a result, you may hear it as a nickname for moms.
9. Mamita / Mamacita
‘Mamita’ and ‘mamacita’ are diminutive forms of ‘mami’. These Spanish nicknames for moms express a lovable and intimate relationship with your mother. In some situations, Spanish speakers use these words as a nickname for their elderly mom. Both ‘mamita’ and ‘mamacita’ could be translated as ‘mummy’ or ‘mum’.
Mamita, te traje estas galletas
Mumy, I brought you these cookies
¿Qué quieres hacer en tu cumpleaños, mamita?
What do you want to do on your birthday, mummy?
Mi mamacita era una mujer muy trabajadora y cariñosa
My mum was a very hardworking and lovable person
Take Note: In slang and informal contexts, both ‘mamita’ and ‘mamacita’ can be used as a way to express that a woman is very attractive. In Latin American countries, these words can also work as pet names for baby daughters. So keep in mind that this nickname is acceptable to use with moms, but has very different meanings in different contexts.
Related Resources: How to Call a Girl Beautiful in Spanish
10. Mamaíta
‘Mamaíta’ is one of the oldest Spanish ways to say ‘mom’. Just like other words, this nickname for mums is very loveable and it’s quite commonly used by small children. ‘Mamaíta’ is very popular in the rural communities and small towns. It doesn’t have a direct translation, but it would be closest in meaning to ‘mummy’ or ‘mum’.
Papá, ¿cómo ha estado mi mamaíta?
Dad, how is my mum doing?
Mañana voy a ir a visitarla, mamaíta
Tomorrow I’m going to go visit you, mum
Mamaíta, ¿quiere que le ayude a limpiar la cocina?
Mummy, do you want me to help you clean the kitchen?
Take Note: ‘Mamaíta’ is an informal Spanish word that came from the country. Unlike other informal words for mum, ‘mamaíta’ is not very popular in big cities. However, this word is commonly used in books.
11. La Ley
This is another fun nickname that Spanish speakers use to refer to their mom. ‘La ley’ literally means ‘the law’ or ‘the boss’. Although we don’t use this word directly with our moms, we use ‘la ley’ when talking about them with friends and other people. Here are some examples:
No sé si pueda ir, deja le pregunta la ley
I don’t know if I can go, let me ask the boss
Si quieres ir, pídele permiso a tu mamá, ya sabes que ella es la ley
If you want to go, ask your mom, you know that she’s the law
Take Note: Some men also ‘la ley’ to refer either to their girlfriend or wife. Just like we do in this case, they would use ‘la ley’ as a way to refer to their women behind their backs.
12. Creadora / Mi creadora
‘Mi creadora’ literally means ‘my maker’ or ‘my creator’. This is a funny and cheeky nickname that some Spanish speakers use to call their moms. You may also hear mi progenitora (my progenitor) which is a variation of ‘mi creadora’.
¿Cómo amaneció mi creadora?
How are you this morning, mom?
Deja le digo a mi creadora que ya nos vamos
Let me tell my mom that we’re leaving
These nicknames can be used directly with your mom or when you’re referring to her. Since you’re using these Spanish words to say ‘mom’ or to talk about your mother, ‘mi creadora’ can be translated either as ‘mom’ or ‘my creator’.
13. La mera mera
In more casual Spanish, ‘la mera mera’ means the ‘big boss’. As a result, it’s a common way to call our moms. This phrase is very popular in Mexico and some Latin American countries. However, we women don’t like to be called bossy, we use this expression when talking to others about our mothers. Of course, if you are your mom’s favorite kid or you have the ability to say things in a nice way, then, you can use it with her 😉
Buenos días, ¿cómo está la mera mera?
Good morning, how is the big boss?
Carlos, dice la mera mera que pongas la mesa
Carlos, the big boss says that you should set the table
Voy a pedirle permiso a la mera mera y mañana te digo si puedo ir
I’m going to ask the big boss for permission and I’ll tell you tomorrow if I can go
Take Note: ‘La mera mera’ is a Mexican slang expression with multiple meanings. As a result, you may hear this phrase in different contexts.
Related Resource: ‘El Mero Mero’ and ‘La Mera Mera’ in Spanish
Wrapping Up
In this article, we looked at some of the most common terms and nicknames that you can use to say ‘mom’ in Spanish.
When using these words with her, make sure to read the descriptions so you choose the best word to call your mom when speaking to her directly or referring to her when talking to others.
Remember that some of these nicknames are very informal, or used with elderly or bossy moms. As a result, you want to make sure you don’t make your mom regret that you’re learning Spanish 🙂