What is Smurf in Spanish?

The Smurfs are called Los Pitufos in Spanish. A single Smurf is a Pitufo. The name comes from Patufet, a hero in Catalan folklore.

Why are the Smurfs called Los Pitufos?

Spanish magazine editor Alfonso Moliné needed to translate the original French name Les Schtroumpfs into Spanish. He adapted it from Patufet, a character in Catalan folklore, creating Pitufo.

What are the Smurf character names in Spanish?

Papa Smurf is Papá Pitufo, Smurfette is Pitufina, Brainy Smurf is Pitufo Filósofo, Grouchy Smurf is Pitufo Gruñón, and Clumsy Smurf is Pitufo Tontín.

Smurfs Archives

Three blue Smurfs with white hats, one frontwearing round glasses

Animated scene showing three Smurfs, one wears glasses and leans forward

By Estelle Gonzales Walgreen

2011/07/29 at 12:00am

Latinos In Hollywood Movies Opinion & Analysis

Smurf in Spanish Is “Pitufo”. And It’s a Problem

07.29.2011 | By Estelle Gonzales Walgreen |

*Updated March 2026

Quick Answer: The Smurfs are called Los Pitufos in Spanish (pronounced pee-TWO-foes). The name comes from a Catalan folktale character called Patufet.

In Spanish, a Smurf is a Pitufo, and The Smurfs are Los Pitufos. That translation is the practical answer readers are searching for; the larger ShowBizCafe question is whether the name still carries the same pop-culture feeling in English and Spanish.

For another ShowBizCafe look at how English and Spanish move through pop culture, see our guide to Spanglish songs and their music videos.