One theory suggested that he earned his nickname, "Loco", because he was 'crazy' enough to trust the white men.

Bud Shapard, former chief of the Bureau of Research at the BIA from 1978 to 1987, points out that he got his name from his actions at a battle against the Mexicans, where he supposedly braved gunfire in order to save an injured warrior.

[5] After the deaths of Cuchillo Negro, chief of the Warm Springs Tchihende, (1857) and Mangas Coloradas, chief of the Copper Mines Tchihende, (1863), the Copper Mines Mimbreños and the Warm Springs Mimbreños, under Pindah's pressure, were forced to leave the Pinos Altos area, near Santa Rita del Cobre, and try to concentrate in the Ojo Caliente area.

Both of the tribe's bands after Delgadito's death in 1864 had dual chiefs: the Copper Mines Tchihende were under Loco and the Warm Springs Tchihende were under Victorio (who, already chosen as his son-in-law by Mangas Coloradas, was preferred to the older Nana).

[7] Loco was a strong proponent of education and was the first chief to send his children to school while at San Carlos Agency in 1884.