He’s called Chicharito because it means “little pea” in Spanish, and it comes from his father’s nickname, “Chicharo” (“pea”), which was tied to the family’s green eyes.

Meaning of the nickname

  • Chicharo = “pea.”
  • Chicharito = the affectionate diminutive, “little pea.”
  • The name was passed down from his father to Javier Hernández.

Why it stuck

It became his football identity early on, and he later used “Chicharito” on his jersey instead of his full name.

Quick note

The nickname is widely known in soccer coverage, but it’s originally just a family-based nickname, not something tied to his playing style.