The Spanish word 'gordito' comes from combining the Spanish adjective 'gordo' (meaning 'fat') with the diminutive suffix '-ito'. The word 'gordo' itself derives from the Latin word 'gurdus', which meant 'heavy' or 'thick'. When the diminutive suffix '-ito' is added to 'gordo', it creates a softer, more affectionate way of saying someone is plump or chubby. This transformation from 'heavy/thick' to 'pleasantly plump' shows how the meaning has become gentler over time.

The most obvious related Spanish word is 'gordo' (fat), which is actually the base word of 'gordito'. While 'gordo' can sometimes be considered a bit direct or harsh, 'gordito' is often used as a more endearing term. You might also encounter words like 'gordura' (fatness) or 'engordar' (to fatten), which are part of the same word family.

While there aren't many common English words directly related to 'gordito' or 'gordo', it's interesting to note that the Latin root 'gurdus' (meaning heavy or thick) was considered by ancient writers to be of Spanish origin, though it was adopted into Latin. This shows how some words that seem thoroughly Latin actually have Hispanic roots dating back to pre-Roman times.