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Does anyone know how the diminutive suffix -itza came about in Latin America? I've seen Maritza (María), Danitza (Daniela), Adelitza (Adela), Claritza (Clara), Martitza (Marta), Juanitza (Juana), Carmelitza (Carmela), Celitza (Celia).... I know that in Spanish, -ito and -ita are used to make nicknames. Is -itza a regional pronunciation of -ita? I know that in some Slavic languages, -ica (pronounced eetsa), is a diminutive suffix, like Marica. Does -itza have anything to do with this?

This message was edited 1/9/2010, 6:00 AM