What is the name 'nacho' a nickname for?

The name “nacho” is a nickname for Ignacio. In Spanish-speaking countries, Nacho is a familiar short form of Ignacio, much as common English nicknames shorten longer given names. The nickname became internationally famous because Mexican restaurateur Ignacio Anaya was known as “Nacho” Anaya.

Anaya is credited with creating nachos in 1943 at the Victory Club restaurant in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. When a group of American military officers’ wives arrived and the regular cook was unavailable, Anaya improvised a snack from fried tortilla pieces, cheese, and jalapeño peppers. The dish was reportedly called “Nacho’s Special,” linking the food directly to his nickname.

A common mix-up is assuming Nacho is a nickname for Nicolás or another Spanish name. In the context of the dish, however, the connection is specifically Ignacio. The name ultimately comes from Ignatius, a Latin-origin name, while the food “nachos” takes its name from Anaya rather than from an ingredient or Spanish word for tortilla chips.