Looking for strong and powerful baby names? Aztec names come from a rich culture. With a historical tradition of placing great importance on naming their children.
History of Aztec Baby Names
Aztec names drew their inspiration from the Aztec empire and their religious concepts. With the capital, Tenochtitlan, at the center of their dominion.
The Aztec culture was a diverse society of different ethnicities and tribes. However, it was largely dominated by the indigenous people of the valley of Mexico, known as the Mexicas.
An Aztec name’s origin derives from the Nahuatl language of the Aztec people. Also known as, Nahuatl names, Aztec names are still used by the people of Nahua today.
In fact, there are around 1.5 million people in Central Mexico, El Salvador, and other regions on the coast still speaking the Nahuatl language.
There was a vast significance in naming your child after a deity. So, many parents named their children after the Aztec gods and goddesses.
In addition, the Aztec society valued nature and the Earth mother. Therefore, many Aztec baby names give reverence to flowers and animals.
Common cultural names include birds, reptiles, mammals, and the elements of the Earth. Additionally, feathers, rainbows, and other universal figures are commonplace names.
Due to the Aztec empire being a martial dominion, large importance was placed on their military and warriors. Naturally, those names were reserved for honoring boys. I have included a more in-depth look at that later.
The rarest baby-names given are those honoring the emperors of the Aztec empire. The system of nobility prohibited common people from bearing those names. Possessing an emperor’s name signifies royalty.
Aztec Baby Girl Names
Typically, Aztec baby names for girls involved valuing birth order, (older/younger sister, older/youngest daughter, etc). However, commonplace names encompassing the marvels found in nature were often bestowed.
Additionally, a high reverence of their deities made it commonplace for girls to bear the names of Aztec goddesses. Here is a comprehensive list of the most popular Aztec names for girls.
Aztec Baby Girl Names
Aztec Baby Girl Name Meanings
Acuecucyoticihuati
The Aztec name for the goddess of the ocean.
Ahuic
The Aztec name for the goddess of running water in rivers, streams, and waves.
Amoxtli
The Aztec term for a book.
Anacaona
A golden flower.
Apozanolotl
The Aztec name for the goddess of purity.
Atlacamani
The Aztec name for the goddess of storms.
Atlacoya
The Aztec name for the goddess of drought.
Atlatonin
The Aztec name for mother-goddess.
Atzi
Another water element name, meaning rain.
Ayauhteotl
The Aztec name for the goddess of haze and mist.
Chalchihuitlcue
She of the robe of green jewels.
Chalmecacihuilt
The Aztec name for the goddess of the underworld.
Chantico
She who dwells in the house.
Chicomecoatl
An Aztec term meaning seven snakes.
Chiconahui
The Aztec name for the hearth-goddess.
Chimalma
A shield-bearer.
Chipahua
The Aztec word meaning clean.
Cihuaton
Meaning, little woman.
Citlalic
A rising star.
Citlalicue
Star garment.
Coyolxauhqui
Golden bells.
Cozamalotl
The Aztec name meaning rainbow.
Cuicatl
An Aztec name meaning song.
Etapalli
An Aztec name meaning wing.
Huixtocihuatl
The Aztec name for the fertility goddess.
Ilamatecuhtli
The Aztec name for the fertility and death goddess.
Itzpapalotl
Obsidian butterfly.
Ixcuiname
Four faces. Or, four sisters.
Ixtli
Aztec name meaning face.
Macuilxóchitl
Five flowers.
Metztli
Goddess of night.
Mixcóatl
Serpent of the sky.
Miyaoaxochitl
Maize tassel flower.
Mizquixaual
Mesquite face paint.
Necahual
Aztec name meaning survivor.
Nenetl
Aztec name meaning Doll.
Nochtli
Prickly pear fruit.
Aztec Baby Girl Names Continued…
Aztec Baby Girl Name Meanings Continued…
Patli
An Aztec name for medicine.
Quetzalli
A large beautiful feather.
Tayanna
Aztec name meaning gift from God.
Teicuih
Younger sister. A commonplace birth order name.
Teiuc
Second-born. Another commonplace birth order name for girls.
Tlachinolli
Baby-names meaning fire.
Tlazohtzin
Little necklace of flowers.
Tonalnan
Mother of light.
Tonantzin
Aztec baby names for Mother earth or the mother goddess.
Tozi
The Aztec name for the goddess of healing and sweet water.
Xilonen
The Aztec name for the goddess of maize, or corn. Also, meaning, hairy one.
Xiloxoch
The Aztec name for the flower Calliandra.
Xitllali
Aztec baby names for the goddess of the moon
Xiuhcoatl
An Aztec name for a comet.
Xiuhtonal
Precious light.
Xochicotzin
A fire serpent.
Xochil
Baby-names meaning flower.
Xochilt
A variant of Xochil. Also, meaning flower.
Xochiquetzal
The most beautiful flower.
Xochiyotl
Heart of a gentle flower.
Xoco
Youngest sister. A commonplace birth order name.
Xocotzin
Youngest daughter. A commonplace birth order name.
Xocoyotl
Youngest child. Another commonplace birth order name.
Yaretzi
You will always be loved.
Yolihuani
Baby-names meaning source of life.
Yoloxochitl
Flower of the heart.
Zeltzin
Baby-names meaning delicate.
Zyanya
Baby-names meaning forever, or, always.
Aztec Baby Boy Names
The Aztec names for boys and men were less about birth order. However, those names existed. Similar to their baby-names for girls, many were inspired by religious concepts.
The Aztecs paid tribute by worshipping hundreds of different deities. As a result, namings boys with their symbols of deities were revered.
Because birds were a prominent position in Aztec society, their feathers were precious pieces of art. Furthermore, they were used on headdresses and to embellish clothes. Hence the number of names on the list below regarding birds and their feathers.
Additionally, themes including fire, light, and universal elements are prevalent within Aztec baby-names.
Aztec Warrior Names for Boys
In addition to names honoring nature and their gods, warrior names were given to the boys and men of their society.
Several different factions of warriors existed. These divisions resulted from the constant war of their civilization. In addition to conquering new lands, wars were raged to collect human sacrifices.
These captives would be taken to the capital city of Tenochtitlan to be sacrificed. Consequently, this practice was valued for high-esteem and accomplishment. So Aztec warriors were divided by ranks and resided in one of several warrior units.
Jaguar Warriors
The god of the night sky, Tezcatlipoca was represented by the jaguar symbol. Only the elite and most accomplished army warriors made this unit. And often wore costumes resembling jaguar skin.
The jaguar warriors were known for gathering the most captives to be sacrificed. An important component of qualifying to be a jaguar was to capture as many as 12 captives in two consecutive battles.
Eagle Warriors
Eagle warriors were frontline militants who adorned themselves in Eagle feathers. Additionally, they wore beaked headdresses and costumes that included talons.
The Eagle Warriors were another elite unite of the Aztec empire. And were also responsible for collecting large numbers of sacrificial captives.
The Shorn Ones
The Shorn Ones were another army unite. Distinguishable by their shaved heads and long braids hanging from their backside. Requirements for this unit was the capturing of at least six human sacrifices.
Tlamanih Warriors
Another Aztec warrior who’s name means, captor. The requirement for this unit is getting only one captive.
Cuextecatl Warriors
Recognized by their conical hats. These warriors needed to hold at least two captives to earn this rank.
Papalotl Warriors
The Aztec warriors who captured three sacrificial captives. Papalotl meaning, butterfly. These warriors wore the butterfly symbol.
Aztec Baby Boy Names
Aztec Baby Boy Name Meanings
Acalan
A small narrow and long rowing boat.
Ácatl
A giant reed.
Ahuatzi
Small oak.
Chicahua
Baby-names meaning strong.
Chimalley
Another Aztec term for shield.
Cipactli
Name of a primordial monster in the Aztec mythology, Cipactli means crocodile.
Cipactonal
Production of the day.
Citlalee
Baby-names for a star.
Coatl
Another Aztec term for a snake.
Cuahutéemoc
Meaning the eagle that falls. Also, the name of the last Aztec Emperor who lost the city of Tenochtitlan to the Spaniards.
Cuallea
An Aztec name meaning good.
Cuallee
A spelling variation of Cuallea. Also, meaning good.
Cuetzpallea
The Aztec word for a lizard.
Cuetzpallee
An alternate spelling for Cuetzpallea. Also, meaning lizard.
Etalpalli
Another Aztec term for wing.
Guatemoc
Falling eagle or Descending eagle in Nahuatl. It has many variations, such as Cuathemoc, Cuauhtemotzin or Guatimozin.
Huitzilin
The Aztec name for a hummingbird.
Huitzilihuitl
Pen of a hummingbird.
Ichtacka
Baby-names meaning secret.
Ilhicamina
He, who shoots arrows at the sky.
Itotia
Happy baby-names meaning dance.
Itzcali
House of beauty.
Itzcoatl
Obsidian serpent.
Itzli
An Aztec name for Obsidian.
Itztli
Obsidian knife.
Iuitl
An Aztec term for a feather.
Mahuizoh
A praising name meaning, glorious person.
Matlalihuitl
Also, meaning feather. Specifically, a greenish-blue feather. Blue-green was a favorite color of Aztec art. And feathers of this color, like the peacocks, were regarded with high value.
Meztli
The Aztec name meaning moon.
Mictlantecuhtli
The Aztec lord of Mictlan.
Milintica
Baby-names meaning fire.
Montezuma
The archer lord in an angry state. The last ruler of Aztec.
Moyolehuani
The Aztec name referring to one who is enamored.
Namacuix
An Aztec name meaning king.
Necalli
Baby-names meaning battle.
Necuametl
Another name depicting the meaning, king.
Netzahualcoyotl
Hungry, or fasting coyote.
Nochehuatl
Constant.
Nopaltzin
The word associated with cactus.
Ocotlan
An Aztec term meaning pine.
Ohtli
Road.
Aztec Baby Boy Names Continued…
Aztec Baby Boy Name Meanings Continued…
Patlea
Medicine.
Patlee
Another name for medicine. Spelling variation of patlea.
Quetzalcoatl
One of the key deities of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. Quetzalcoatl was acknowledged as the god of wind and rain. Furthermore, he was accredited as being the creator of the Earth and humanity.
Tenoch
Meaning fruit.
Teoxihuitl
The Aztec name meaning turquoise. Alternatively, it is also used to denote something very precious.
Tepiltzin
Meaning, the privileged son.
Tezcacoatl
Another denotation of the word, king. Alternatively, it means, reflecting serpent.
Tlacaelel
Meaning, a diligent person.
Tlacelel
Meaning the greatest of our war heroes.
Tlanextic
Light of dawn.
Tlanextli
Radiance or splendor.
Tlilpotonqui
Feathered in black.
Tlaloc
The Aztec god of rain. His name means of the Earth. And he’s associated with water in the Aztec culture.
Tochtlea
Rabbit.
Tochtlee
Spelling variation of Tochtlea. Also, meaning rabbit.
Tochtli
Another denotation of the name for a rabbit.
Toltecatl
An artist or a creative person.
Tonatiuh
Sunshine.
Tonauac
The one who possesses light.
Tototl
Another denotation of the name for a rabbit.
Tupack
Baby-names meaning warrior.
Tupoc
Another denotation of the term, warrior. Spelling variation of Tupack.
Ueman
Venerable time.
Xicohtencatl
Meaning, angry bumblebee. It’s meaning may have signified the bravery on the battlefield.
Xipil
Noble One, of Fire.
Xipilli
Jeweled prince.
Xiutecuhtli
Gentleman of the fire.
Xiuhcoatl
An Aztec term for a weapon of destruction. Alternatively, it means, fire serpent.
Xiuhitl
Comet.
Xochipepe
Someone who gathers flowers.
Xochipilli
God of love and flowers.
Xochitl
Baby-names meaning flower.
Xolotl
Precious twin.
Yaotel
Rival.
Yaotl
Meaning, war.
Yaotyl
Another Aztec name for a rival. Spelling variant of Yaotel.
Yayauhqui
Black smoking mirror.
Yolotli
Baby-names meaning heart.
Yolyamanitzin
Baby-names meaning he who is considerate and just.
Zipactonal
Harmonic light.
Zolin
The Aztec word for quail.
Zuma
Lord frowns in anger.
Aztec Gender-Neutral Names
Naming children with gender-neutral, or non-gendered baby-names has become an increasing trend over the last few years. Are you looking for unisex alternatives to ordinary baby boy or girl names?
Here is an all-inclusive list of the best unisex baby-names from the time of the Aztec empire.
Aztec Gender-Neutral Names
Aztec Gender-Neutral Name Meanings
Atl
The Aztec symbol for water.
Cualli
The Aztec name for good.
Eztli
An Aztec name meaning blood.
Icnoyotl
An Aztec name meaning friendship.
Ichtaca
An Aztec name meaning a secret.
Ihuicatl
The Aztec term for the sky.
Itotia
Happy baby-names meaning dance.
Ixtli
Unique baby-names that mean face.
Izel
Baby-names meaning unique.
Mazatl
The Aztec term for deer.
Meztli
Baby-names that mean moon.
Nahuatl
Name of the Aztec goddess of water and rivers.
Ohtli
A person who is a champion. Also, refers to the son of Neil.
Toltecatl
An Aztec term for an artist.
Xiuhcoatl
A weapon of destruction.
Yaotl
Baby-names that mean a combatant. Soldier. Warrior. Defender. Fighter. Rival.
Yolotli
The Aztec word for heart.
That concludes this best list of baby Aztec names. Are there any unique or common finds that we’ve missed? Please add them to the comments below. Thanks for sharing!
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