why is it called "el nino" refering to the weather when "el nino" means "the boy" in spanish?

Answer 1

The term El Niño was coined in South America and referred to a current of warm water that appeared off the west coast every few years and ruined the fishing industry. It appeared about Christmas time so it was named El Niño meaning the boy-child in reference to the Christ-child. It was later discovered that the El Niño current was part of a much larger system known as the Southern Oscillation. These days the phenomenon is often referred to as ENSO meaning El Niño/Southern Oscillation with El Niño referring to the oceanic aspects and the Southern Oscillation referring to the atmospheric aspects.

When a term was needed for the opposite of an El Niño, the first references were to the Anti El Niño but this was considered to be too close to the AntiChrist so La Niña was coined instead.

Answer 2

The name El Niño (referring to the Christ child) was originally given by Peruvian fisherman to a warm current that appeared each year around Christmas.

There's more to this, but I'll let you read it for yourself via the link below.

Answer 3

There is now, in the PC world, a weather pattern called "La Nina", as well!

One is working in one season or direction, the other in the reverse, I belive!