Gibraltarian Nicknames

By Tito Vallejo


The Gibraltarian has been given several nick names and none have been of their own making. Many of these names have fallen into disuse and might sound unfamiliar, but many others are still used to this day.

The British stationed on the Rock have called the Gibraltarian by a variety of names, they are the following;

ROCK SCORPION - The oldest and most famous name Gibraltarian’s have been called by and was liberally applied to all inhabitants of the Rock whether they were native or not. As the years went by it was exclusively used to define anyone born on the Rock from Gibraltarian parents.

ROCK LIZARD - although not commonly used this name defined a locally born native of a British father. It was usually applied to the offspring of the many servicemen who married local or Spanish women.

CALENTITA BOYS - this name came into use during the Second World War and was given to the Gibraltar Defence Force boys by the other British Forces. It stems from the local custom when Calentita (a local dish made from chick pea flour) was sold by vendor’s who used to go around the streets calling out their wares.

GIBOES – this replaced the Calentita boys. It is not a very old nickname and is extensively used.

The Spaniards have also concocted a few names for us too;

LOS CHIGONGOS - The name of an African tribe of natives who live in a close communal way.

LA GENTE DE LA PIEDRA GORDA - literally translated it means ‘the people from the fat Rock’

LA GENTE DEL ESCALEXTRIC - this name originated during the closure of the frontier and is seldom used. It refers to a child’s toy racing car circuit, since it was so, that Gibraltar was seen by the Spanish, with pun of course.

YANITO - the best known nickname, however the spelling itself is quite controversial. Some spell it with double L, or LL, Llanito, which makes the word Spanish. Others spell it with a GIA, giving it an Italian or Genoese origin, said to derive from Gianni, a common Christian name amongst the inhabitants of Genoese descent, so we come up with GIANNITO. Another popular version originates from the British JOHNNY, which is the name given by the Spaniards to the British, so we end up with JOHNNITO. Then there is the ‘neutral’ spelling of the word, YANITO, which eliminates the Spanish, English and Italian influence and which is commonly used by the locals.

GENTE LLANA - the nobility were reluctant to settle on the Rock so offers were made to less important persons. The Rock then came populated by the common people and became LLANITOS. When the building of the Dockyard commenced workers came from around the Campo area, mainly from Campamento, San Roque, Los Barrios and Algeciras. These people had to live in tents and shacks as the Spanish Government would not allow any buildings near their fort. A shanty town sprung up at the foot of Sierra Carbonera, in a depression on the isthmus called ‘El Llano’. When they were asked where they came from they would say from ‘El Llano’. Here we have yet another convincing revelation as to the origin of the word ‘Llanito.’