“Mommy”

 as "Mommy" — just like when they says "Poppy" for Eduardo, it’s really "Papi" in Spanish, but sounds the same in both English and Spanish.  It does sound comical, though, when Rafe or Dario or Gabi say it, because if you don’t see or know the translation, it sounds like grown children calling their parents mommy and poppy.

 It is definitely a Spanish term of endearment. Also, it is not just for your parents. Mami and Papi are used to address someone you have a close realtionship to. Parents will also call close friends and family even children. Also they use the term, "mamita of Papito" for children.

The handymen at our condo in Miami will address me as "Mami"  such as , "let me help you with that, Mami".  It is used to address those you know well and anyone that they wich well to , such as " I get that door, Mami.

we hear that a lot. Especially from men who consider you superior to themselves. It is also somewhat a term of respect. I can’t tell you how often I’ve heard that. Which is why I knew they were saying Mami and not Mommy. Kind of like the British Mum (which I have always liked).

My father died when I was 12 and I had always called him Daddy my whole life. As I got older I felt uncomfortable calling him then when I spoke about him. It was really difficult for me to change over to Dad or my father. Now if I had been Latin, I could have continued my whole life with Papi. Remember too how Stefano’s g.kids call him nonno.

 because many Latinos use it quite liberally to mean 

by a child: Mommy 

by a family member: honey, sweetie, darling etc. 

by a guy: babe, baby, a girl they consider hot, sexy 

also in certain countries guys call all the girls mami or guys might also mean honey sweetie etc by this just notice how they say 

 My son-in-law is from Argentina and I have learned a great deal aobut the customs of his country. Customs do vary from the different countries, South American countries trace many of their cusomts back to Spain.