118 Nahuatl Baby Names From Aztec Ancestry

From Anci to Yaoxochitl, names as charming and unique as your adorable little one.

Written by Praggya Joshi, MA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 2 years

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

Read full bio of Praggya Joshi

Edited by Aneesha Amonz, MSc Specialty: Health and WellnessExperience: 2 years

Aneesha holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from USTM, Meghalaya and Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology from VIT, Vellore. With two years of experience, she has worked on different research projects in the field of Food Sciences.

Read full bio of Aneesha Amonz

Fact-checked by Angela Alex, MA Specialty: Baby NamesExperience: 2 years

Angela is an honors student with a master's degree in Linguistics from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Her combined interest in history and the science of language has taught her the skills to understand how language and its use have changed over time.

Read full bio of Angela Alex

Last Updated on Nov 13, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

If you are looking for an entirely different inspiration for a baby name, look no further than Nahuatl baby names. Obtained from antiquity, these names are original, unique and will ensure that your child stands out from the crowd. Nahuatl is the Uto-Aztecan language spoken by 1.5 million people living in central Mexico, especially in Veracruz, Puebla, San Luis Potosi, Hildago, Oaxaca, El Salvador, and regions across the coastline. Derived from the indigenous languages of Central Mexico, Nahuatl names carry profound meanings. They are often related to nature, spirituality, and everyday life. With a legacy dating back centuries, these names offer a glimpse into the values and outlook of ancient civilizations. Although these names originated centuries ago, they have a modern appeal that makes Nahuatl baby names stand out from the rest. There are a few Nahuatl speakers in the rest of Mexico and some parts of the US as well. But most of the Nahuatl speakers speak Spanish, with the exception of some elderly. That’s because commoners find it hard to decipher the language. Classical Nahuatl was the lingua franca of not just the Aztec empire, but most of Mesoamerica from the 7th century until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. The language was originally written in the pictographic script, which wasn’t exactly a writing system but served as a mnemonic to remind the readers that they had learned it orally. Children are given names corresponding to their day of birth, like ‘One Flower’ or ‘Two Rabbit,’ a custom observed on the seventh-day post-delivery. A male child held an arrow, while a female clutched a spindle whorl and weaving stick. Around three months, the child was introduced to the devil's temple, accompanied by the bestowal of an extra name (1). Browse through the list of Nahuatl baby names for girls and boys and their meanings below. You can even shortlist the names to create a list of your favorites.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Yaretzi	Girl	You will always be loved; Friend; Helper
Olin	Boy	Ancestor's descendant; From a low lying area; Motion
Xitlali	Girl	Star; Goddess of the moon
Calli	Girl	Most beautiful; Free man; House
Izel	Girl	Unique; Delicate; God contends; A river in Russia
Isela	Girl	Alone; Unique
Amairani	Girl	Eternal; Grace; Prosperous
Xitlaly	Girl	Star
Atzi	Girl	Rain
Quetzalli	Girl	Precious thing; A feather

Metztli	Girl	Moon
Yalitza	Girl	Being; Essence
Citlaly	Girl	Star
Cuauhtemoc	Boy	A falling Eagle
Milli	Girl	Gentle strength; Brave and strong; A youth employed in religious services; Cornfield; In between; Middle
Citlalli	Girl	Star
Quetzali	Girl	Precious thing; A feather
Tenoch	Boy	Stone; Prickly pear cactus
Atlan	Unisex	Into the water; Under the water
Necalli	Boy	Fight; War place; Competition; Contest

Ami	Boy	Trustworthy; Reliable; Beloved; Second and beautiful; My people; My nation; Flatter and honey; Hunt; Lovable
Miyanna	Unisex	Beautiful and elegant
Ameli	Unisex	Unceasing; Vigorous; Brave; Spring; Fountain
Moctezuma	Boy	He becomes angry like a lord
Xochilt	Girl	Flower
Athziri	Girl	Flower water
Ollin	Boy	Ancestor's descendant; From a low lying area; Motion
Olyn	Boy	Ancestor's descendant; From a low lying area; Motion
Quetzalcoatl	Boy	Feathered snake
Tlaloc	Boy	Aztec god of rain and fertility; Covered with earth

Chilton	Boy	Little chilli
Isella	Girl	My God is an oath; Alone; Unique; Hostage; Pledge; Famous in battle; Sea of bitterness; Beloved
Quetzal	Unisex	Plumage of the quetzal bird; Beautiful feather; Large beautiful tail feather
Tizoc	Boy	An ancient Aztec ruler
Tlalli	Girl	Earth; Land
Ameyalli	Unisex	Spring; Fountain
Isel	Unisex	Unique; Distinctive; Alone
Tequila	Girl	A kind of liquor; Place of tribute
Huitzilihuitl	Boy	Hummingbird; Feather of a hummingbird; Pen of a hummingbird
Yaotl	Unisex	Combatant; Soldier; Warrior; Defender; Fighter; Rival

Acamapichtli	Boy	A handful of reeds or long grass
Chimalpopoca	Boy	A smoking shield
Citlali	Unisex	Star
Eztli	Unisex	Blood
Meztli	Boy	Moon
Montezuma	Boy	He becomes angry like a lord; Hill
Tezcacoatl	Boy	Serpent; King
Tizocicatzin	Boy	An ancient king of the Aztec empire
Achcauhtli	Boy	Leader; A man with leadership qualities
Ahuiliztli	Boy	Happiness and joy; One who brings joy

Anci	Girl	A graceful woman
Centehua	Girl	The only one, unique.
Chalchiuitl	Girl	Emerald
Chicahua	Boy	A strong and powerful man
Cipactli	Boy	Nahuatl word for crocodile
Citlalmina	Girl	Greatest of all the female heroes
Coszcatl	Girl	Jewel
Coyotl	Boy	Nahuatl word meaning coyote
Cualli	Unisex	Good; A good-natured man.
Cuetlachtli	Boy	Nahuatl word for wolf

Cuixtli	Boy	Nahuatl word for kite
Ehecatl	Boy	The wind serpent
Eleuia	Unisex	Wish; One who wishes good for everyone
Eloxochitl	Girl	The magnolia flower
Etalpalli	Unisex	Wing
Huemac	Unisex	A Toltec king
Huitzilli	Boy	Hummingbird
Iccauhtli	Boy	A younger brother
Ichtaca	Unisex	Secret
Icnoyotl	Unisex	Friendship

Ihuicatl	Unisex	Sky
Ilhikamina	Boy	He who shoots arrows at the sky; The name of a great Mexican king
Ilhuitl	Unisex	Day
Itotia	Unisex	Dance
Iuitl	Unisex	Feather
Mahuizoh	Unisex	A glorious person
Malinalxochitl	Girl	The grass flower
Matlal	Boy	Dark green; Net
Matlalhuitl	Boy	Blue-green feather
Mecatl	Unisex	Lineage

Milintica	Boy	He is waving; Fire
Momoztli	Unisex	The altar
Moyolehuani	Unisex	The enamored one
Namacuix	Boy	King
Necuametl	Boy	King
Nezahualcoyotl	Boy	The fasting coyote; Name of a Texcoco king
Nezahualpilli	Boy	A prince who fasts
Nopaltzin	Boy	A consistent man
Papan	Girl	Nahuatl word for flag
Quauhtli	Boy	Eagle

Teichuih	Girl	The younger sister
Teoxihuitl	Unisex	The precious stone turquoise
Tepiltzin	Boy	The privileged son
Tepin	Girl	The little one
Teuicui	Girl	Younger sister
Teyacapan	Girl	First-born daughter
Tlacaelel	Boy	A diligent man
Tlacelel	Boy	The greatest of all the male heroes
Tlaco	Girl	The middle-born daughter
Tlacotl	Girl	The Osier twig

1 2 »

Exploring the universe of Nahuatl baby names beckons us to journey through the annals of history and cultural heritage. This voyage unveils a repository of eloquent linguistic expression and ancestral sagacity. Rooted in the customs of Nahuatl-speaking societies, these names bridge historical eras, encapsulating the profound interrelation between mankind, nature, spirituality, and everyday existence. Embracing Nahuatl names becomes an homage to the bygone civilizations, infusing contemporary existence with the reverberations of a spirited legacy. Amid their integration into modernity, these names stand as a testament to language's timeless potency in transcending epochs and molding our sense of self.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Nahuatl baby names be gender-neutral?

Nahuatl gender-neutral baby names like Cualli (Good or a good-natured man), Ichtaca (Secret), and Mahuizoh (A glorious person) showcase the rich cultural heritage and inclusivity of Nahuatl naming traditions.

2. Can I use a Nahuatl baby name if I am not of Nahuatl descent?

People worldwide often select names from diverse cultures to embrace diversity or pay tribute to a specific culture's legacy, language, or past. Thus, if you resonate with the phonetically unique Nahuatl names and their significance aligns with your values and beliefs, you may pick a name of your choice.

Infographic: Natural Nahuatl Baby Names With Meanings

Rooted in Central Mexico's indigenous languages, Nahuatl baby names echo the wisdom of the past, weaving connections between humanity, nature, and spirituality. Embracing Nahuatl names is embracing a bridge between ancient traditions and present identity, evoking the enduring influence of language across time. Ready to explore the beauty and significance of these names? Dive into this infographic!

beautiful nahuatl names for your newborn (infographic)

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Nomen est omen: Pre-Hispanic Nahua Naming Patterns.
https://www.mexicolore.co.uk/aztecs/language/prehispanic-nahua-naming-patterns#:~:text=%27All%20new%2Dborn%20children%20received

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.