Is there a "cute" word for 'bug' or 'little bug', to be used as a term of endearment for a young girl?

Question

We have always referred to one of our daughters as 'bug,' and now that she is starting to learn Spanish in school I was looking for a word for bug that I could use a a nickname for her - one that was less of a false cognate than 'bicho,' which when used around English-speakers does NOT sound like a term of endearment.

Answer 1

I think that I've heard "bicho" as a cute little nickname. I'd stay away from piojo.

It also means "vermin", "vulva", "penis", and an offesive way to call someone a pest, depending on where you are. And don't even think about the feminine version. - KevinB, Oct 20, 2010

Answer 2

You'd probably have to add the little part so it sounds ok...

bichito, hormiguita, mariquita

I also like how libélula sounds it's dragonfly

Escarabajito sounds awful please never call her like that.

If you take off the little part (-ito, -ita), it sounds very crude and mean.

Answer 3

I would be very careful with the "bug" nicknames in Spanish. Bugs don't seem to be as cute in Spanish as they are in English, and some Spanish words for bugs have very unpleasant or crude meanings.

Answer 4

I like the first suggestion,mariquita. You may also try a condensed version of the word escarabajo,(beetle).Or hormiga(ant) sounds cool. Hey hormiga did you do your homework?

Answer 5

You might call her a lady bug which is mariquita. Other than nothing comes to mind.

Ciao!!