5 Nicknames Only Freckled Latinas Can Relate to

I think I was around three years old when the freckles began sprinkling throughout my face. At least that’s how my mom remembers it. Growing up I was often complimented on my ‘chispitas de sol’ as one of my aunts referred to them. I think it had to do with the fact that you don’t often see a Latina with jet-black hair covered in freckles. And even though these little brown spots are associated with the sun, my freckles are very much present year-round.

All my life I’ve been called ‘la pequitas’ by one of my uncles and he still calls me that till this day! Sometimes strangers would also come up to my mom and tell her they loved my freckles. Occasionally younger kids would ask about them too – only because they had never seen any before and were mesmerized by them. I always thought that was funny.

So you see, freckles have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. They sit on my face, arms, and legs, but it feels like over time they have faded a little. Nonetheless, the affectionate nicknames will forever stick with me. Ahead, a few common nicknames that are often given to fellow freckled girls!

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La Pecas

https://giphy.com/gifs/blackgirlmagic-adwoa-aboah-3o6gDOQcKhVVWdWwco

A classic. If you have freckles and grew up in a Latino household, more than likely someone in your family or circle of friends referred to you as la pecas. I think it’s safe to say this is probably the most common nickname for those with freckled faces, no? Although funny enough, no one ever called me la pecas I’ve definitely heard it said to others. Something to keep in mind about freckles is not everyone is comfortable or feels confident about them, so it’s nice to always check-in with the person first. You know, just in case! Amirite?

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Chilindrina

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This one you can especially relate to if you’re Mexican or grew up in a Mexican household. Not only is La Chilindrina one of the most iconic fictional characters in Mexico, but her freckles are primary representations of her personality. If you’re not familiar, La Chilindrina was an eight-year-old girl played by Maria Antonieta de las Nieves in the Mexican TV show El Chavo del Ocho. Just like me, she had dark hair, freckles and wore thick-framed glasses. Dressing up as her for Halloween would’ve been the easiest costume ever for me, but I have yet to dress up like the classic character.

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La Pecosita

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Here’s another classic right here! Pecosita is almost always a given for young Latinas with freckles. If you were (lucky to be) a freckled child, then you were probably called a pecosita by your elders. I remember from time to time someone would refer to me that way and it felt sweet and endearing. Whether it be something as simple as: “Hola pecosita,” or “Mira, hay viene la pecosita,” I personally liked the sound of it. This nickname is a derivative of pecosa, but I find it to sound less harsh and instead cuter and more pleasant, wouldn’t you agree?

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Chocolate chip

https://giphy.com/gifs/freckles-mistobosco-efelidi-l4HnOIDGcdH9hlGbC

Alright, I was never actually called this – at least not to my face, but while working on this story, a friend mentioned her friend used to have this nickname. From the sounds of it, I imagine it was during her younger years such as middle school or even high school since we all know this is an age where all kinds of things are said. I think this nickname is a little funny, but as I mentioned earlier, us freckled people aren’t always fully in tune with embracing our freckles. I always saw them as something normal, but I was also never teased about them which I find helps.

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Pequis

https://giphy.com/gifs/march-eva-aguspina-scSNDbzCENO7e

Pequis takes the word pecas and redefines it with a sweet and loving twist. Occasionally some of my family members would call me la pequis, and I always found it humorous. As a freckled little girl, the nickname totally made sense. Now, as an adult,  I’m not sure I’d want to be called that, but hey if the intentions behind it are good, I’m good.