Intensive Study 4 El Nino means" little boy"in Spanish; when capitalized, it refers to the christ child. This innocent-sounding name originated in the 19th century, when Peruvian sailors noticed that every few years around christmastime waters near the coasts warmed up and the current shifted southward. But this"little boy plays havoc around the globe.4 El Niñ o means “little boy” in Spanish; when capitalized, it refers to the Christ child. This innocent-sounding name originated in the 19th century, when Peruvian sailors noticed that every few years around Christmastime, waters near the coasts warmed up and the current shifted southward. But this “little boy” plays havoc around the globe. Intensive Study