270+ Aztec Names: A Complete Guide to Nahuatl Names and Their Meanings

The Aztec civilization, which flourished in central Mexico from the 14th to 16th centuries, left behind a rich cultural legacy that continues to inspire us today. One of the most beautiful aspects of Aztec culture is their naming tradition, rooted in the Nahuatl language. These names often carry profound meanings connected to nature, celestial bodies, virtues, and the gods they worshiped.

Whether you’re researching for a character in your story, looking for a meaningful baby name, or simply fascinated by Mesoamerican history, this comprehensive guide provides over 270 authentic Aztec names with their meanings and cultural significance.

Table of Contents

Understanding Aztec Naming Traditions

Aztec names were deeply meaningful and often reflected the circumstances of a child’s birth, family aspirations, or qualities parents hoped their child would embody. Names frequently incorporate elements from nature, animals, celestial phenomena, and spiritual concepts. The Nahuatl language, with its poetic structure and rich imagery, allowed for names that were both beautiful in sound and profound in meaning.

Male Aztec Names

Names Inspired by Warriors and Strength

Cuauhtémoc – “Descending eagle” or “falling eagle.” The last Aztec emperor who bravely defended Tenochtitlan against Spanish conquistadors.
Chimalli – “Shield.” Represents protection and defensive strength.
Cualli – “Good” or “well done.”
Eztli – “Blood.” Associated with sacrifice and life force.
Iccauhtli – “Younger brother.”
Ilhicamina – “He who shoots arrows at the sky.”
Itotia – “Dance.”
Ixtli – “Face” or “surface.”
Mahuizoh – “Glorious person.”
Manauia – “Defend.”
Mecatl – “Rope” or “lineage.”
Milintica – “He waves it.”
Momoztli – “Altar.”
Namacuix – “King.”
Necahual – “Survivor.”
Necalli – “Battle” or “strife.”
Nezahualcoyotl – “Hungry coyote” or “fasting coyote.” One of the greatest Aztec poets and rulers.
Nopaltzin – “My cactus.”
Ohtli – “Road” or “path.”
Patli – “Medicine” or “he who heals.”
Quauhtli – “Eagle.”
Tenoch – “Stone cactus fruit.” The legendary founder of Tenochtitlan.
Teoxihuitl – “Precious turquoise.”
Teyacapan – “Firstborn.”
Tezcacoatl – “Reflecting serpent.”
Tlacaelel – “Man of strong heart.” Famous as a powerful advisor to Aztec emperors.
Tlacelel – “Greatest hero.”
Tlaloc – “He who makes things sprout.” The rain god.
Tlanextli – “Radiance” or “splendor.”
Tlazohtzin – “Little loved one.”
Tochtli – “Rabbit.”
Tonauac – “He who possesses light.”
Xipil – “Noble of the fire.”
Xiuhcoatl – “Fire serpent” or “turquoise serpent.”
Yaotl – “Warrior” or “rival.”
Yolyamanitzin – “Considerate person.”
Yoltic – “He who lives.”
Zipactonal – Ancient sage in Aztec mythology.

Names Connected to Nature and Animals

Atl – “Water.”
Citlalli – “Star.”
Coatl – “Serpent” or “twin.”
Coyotl – “Coyote.”
Cuetzpalli – “Lizard.”
Etalpalli – “Wing.”
Huitzilli – “Hummingbird.”
Itzcuintli – “Dog.”
Mazatl – “Deer.”
Miztli – “Cloud.”
Ocelopilli – “Jaguar prince.”
Ocelotl – “Jaguar” or “ocelot.”
Ollin – “Movement” or “earthquake.”
Tecpatl – “Flint.”
Tepin – “Little one.”
Tepiltzin – “Privileged son.”
Tlalli – “Earth.”
Xochipilli – “Flower prince.” God of art, games, and beauty.
Xocoyotl – “Youngest child.”

Names from Gods and Mythology

Huitzilopochtli – “Hummingbird of the south.” The god of sun and war, patron deity of the Aztecs.
Mixcoatl – “Cloud serpent.” God of the hunt.
Quetzalcoatl – “Feathered serpent.” One of the most important deities in Aztec mythology.
Tezcatlipoca – “Smoking mirror.” God of night, sorcery, and destiny.
Tonatiuh – “He who makes the day.” The sun god.
Xolotl – “Dog.” God of lightning, death, and the evening star.
Additional Male Names
Achcauhtli – “Leader.”
Ahuatzi – “Small oak.”
Ameyalli – “Spring” or “fountain.”
Apozanolotl – “Foaming water.”
Atl – “Water.”
Chalchiuhtotolin – “Jade turkey.”
Chicahua – “Strong.”
Chipahua – “Clean.”
Cipactli – “Crocodile” or “alligator.”
Cuauhtemoc – “Setting sun” (alternate meaning).
Cuetlachtli – “Wolf.”
Ehcatl – “Wind.”
Eloxochitl – “Magnolia.”
Erendirani – “He who smiles.”
Etalpalli – “Wing.”
Guatemoc – “Falling eagle.”
Huemac – “Big hand.”
Icnoyotl – “Friendship.”
Ihuicatl – “Sky.”
Ikal – “Spirit.”
Itztli – “Obsidian.”
Ixcatzin – “Like cotton.”
Ixtlilton – “Little black face.” God of healing, medicine, and dancing.
Izcoatl – “Obsidian serpent.”
Mahuiztic – “Glorious.”
Manque – “Sculptor.”
Meztli – “Moon.”
Milintica – “He waves it.”
Moyolehuani – “The enamored one.”
Nahuatl – “Clear sound” or “four waters.”
Necuametl – “Two canes.”
Nelli – “Truth.”
Nochtli – “Fruit of cactus.”
Noyollin – “My heart.”
Ohtlatocatl – “Brave captain.”
Ome – “Two.”
Pilli – “Noble child” or “prince.”
Quauhtlatoa – “Eagle that speaks.”
Tecolotl – “Owl.”
Tehuatl – “You.”
Teiuc – “Second son.”
Telpochtli – “Youth.”
Temoani – “Descender.”
Tenochtitlan – “Place of prickly pear cactus.”
Tepeu – “Conqueror.”
Tequihua – “He who works.”
Tetl – “Stone.”
Tlacahuepan – “Man who owns men.”
Tlachinolli – “Fire.”
Tlacopan – “Place of the medium flower.”
Tlaloque – “Those who are made of earth.”
Tlaneci – “Morning.”
Tlapaltecatl – “Man from the red land.”
Tlatelolco – “Place of the mound.”
Tototl – “Bird.”
Xaloc – “Place of sand.”
Xihuitl – “Year” or “comet.”
Ximenez – “He has heard.”
Xiuhcoztic – “Yellow.”
Xochiyayotl – “Flower war.”
Yaomahtli – “Warrior’s bracelet.”
Yayauhqui – “Black smoking mirror.”
Yoalli – “Night.”
Yoloxochitl – “Heart flower.”
Zipactonal – “Harmonic light.”

Female Aztec Names

Names Inspired by Flowers and Beauty

Xochitl – “Flower.” One of the most popular Aztec names, symbolizing beauty and delicacy.
Xochiquetzal – “Precious flower” or “beautiful flower.” Goddess of beauty, love, and fertility.
Xiloxoch – “Calliandra flower.”
Eloxochitl – “Magnolia flower.”
Citlalmina – “She who shoots arrows at stars.”
Coszcatl – “Jewel.”
Itzayana – “Rainbow lady.”
Izel – “Unique.”
Miyaoaxochitl – “Maize tassel flower.”
Nenetl – “Doll” or “idol.”
Ohtli – “Path.”
Quetzalli – “Precious feather” or “beautiful.”
Tlacotl – “Rod” or “twig.”
Tlalli – “Earth.”
Xocotzin – “Youngest daughter.”
Xoco – “Youngest sister.”
Yaretzi – “You will always be loved.”
Yolotli – “Heart.”
Yoltzin – “Small heart.”
Zeltzin – “Delicate.”
Zyanya – “Forever” or “always.”

Names from Goddesses and Mythology

Chalchiuhtlicue – “She of the jade skirt.” Goddess of water, rivers, and lakes.
Chicomecōātl – “Seven snakes.” Goddess of agriculture and nourishment.
Coatlicue – “Serpent skirt.” Mother goddess and earth deity.
Coyolxauhqui – “Golden bells.” Moon goddess and sister of Huitzilopochtli.
Itzpapalotl – “Obsidian butterfly.” Fearsome goddess associated with transformation.
Mayahuel – Goddess of the maguey plant and fertility.
Tlazolteotl – “Goddess of filth” or “eater of sins.” Deity of purification and fertility.
Tonantzin – “Our sacred mother.” An honored title for mother goddesses.
Xilonen – Goddess of young maize.

Names Meaning Beauty and Grace

Ahuic – “Content” or “satisfied.”
Atzi – “Rain.”
Chalchihuitl – “Emerald” or “precious green stone.”
Citlali – “Star.”
Cualli – “Good.”
Cuicatl – “Song.”
Eleuia – “Wish.”
Etalpalli – “Wing.”
Ichtaca – “Secret.”
Ixtli – “Face.”
Malinalxochitl – “Grass flower.” Powerful sorceress in Aztec mythology.
Mecatl – “Lineage.”
Metztli – “Moon.”
Miyaoaxochitl – “Maize tassel flower.”
Momoztli – “Altar.”
Nahuatl – “Something that makes an agreeable sound.”
Necahual – “Survivor.”
Nelli – “Truth.”
Nenetl – “Idol.”
Nochtli – “Prickly pear fruit.”
Noxochicoztli – “My necklace of flowers.”
Ohtli – “Champion.”
Papan – “Flag.”
Patli – “Medicine.”
Quetzalxochitl – “Precious flower.”
Sacnite – “White flower.”
Tayanna – “Gift of God.”
Teicuih – “Younger sister.”
Teiuc – “Younger sister.”
Teoxihuitl – “Precious and divine.”
Tlaco – “Middle” or “half.”
Tlacoehua – “She who helps.”
Tlacotl – “Osier twig.”
Tlalli – “Earth.”
Tlexictli – “Fire navel.”
Tonalnan – “Mother of light.”
Xiloxoch – “Calliandra.”
Xiuhcue – “Turquoise skirt.”
Xiuhtonal – “Precious light.”
Xochipepe – “Flower gatherer.”
Xochiyotl – “Heart of a gentle flower.”
Xochtla – “Flower field.”
Yolihuani – “Source of life.”
Yolotli – “Heart.”
Yoloxochitl – “Flower of the heart.”
Yoltzin – “Little heart.”

Additional Female Names

Acocotli – “Water serpent.”
Amoxtli – “Book.”
Apozanolotl – “Abundant foam.”
Atlatonan – “Mother of waters.”
Atlacoya – “She who dwells in water.”
Atzi – “Rain.”
Centehua – “Only one.”
Chalmecacihuilt – “Maiden of Chalmeca.”
Chantico – Goddess of hearth fires.
Chipahua – “Clean.”
Cihuaton – “Little woman.”
Citlalicue – “Starry skirt.”
Citlalmina – “Arrow from the stars.”
Cozaana – “Abundance.”
Cuicani – “Singer.”
Eleuia – “Desire.”
Erendira – “She who smiles.”
Etalpalli – “Wing.”
Ituha – “Oak.”
Iuitl – “Feather.”
Ixcatzin – “Like cotton.”
Ixtli – “Face of God.”
Ixtzayana – “White corn.”
Mahuizoh – “Glorious one.”
Malinalxochitl – “Grass flower.”
Manauia – “To defend.”
Mecatl – “Rope.”
Meztli – “Moon.”
Mizquixaual – “Mesquite face.”
Moema – “Arrow.”
Moyolehuani – “One who charms.”
Nahuatl – “Four waters.”
Naiyeli – “I love you.”
Necahual – “Left behind.”
Nenetl – “Sacred idol.”
Nopalxochitl – “Cactus flower.”
Noxochicoztli – “My necklace of flowers.”
Ohtli – “Road.”
Patli – “Medicine woman.”
Quetzalxochitl – “Beautiful flower.”
Sacnite – “White flower.”
Teiuc – “Second born.”
Tenantzin – “Little mother.”
Teoxihuitl – “Divine turquoise.”
Teyacapan – “First born.”
Tlachinolli – “Fire.”
Tlacoehua – “Servant.”
Tlacotl – “Twig.”
Tlazohtlaloni – “Beloved.”
Tlexictli – “Fire navel.”
Tonalli – “Day” or “destiny.”
Tonantzin – “Our mother.”
Tototl – “Bird.”
Tziquetzal – “Small precious feather.”
Xicohtencatl – “Angry bumblebee.”
Xihuitl – “Comet.”
Xiloxoch – “Calliandra flower.”
Xiuhtonal – “Comet.”
Xochicotzin – “Little necklace of flowers.”
Xochipepe – “Flower gatherer.”
Xochiquetzalli – “Beautiful flower.”
Xochitl – “Flower.”
Xochiyotl – “Gentle flower heart.”
Xoco – “Youngest.”
Yaocihuatl – “Warrior woman.”
Yaotl – “Warrior.”
Yaretzi – “You will always be loved.”
Yocahui – “Night wind.”
Yolcaut – “Rattlesnake.”
Yolotli – “Heart.”
Yoloxochitl – “Heart flower.”
Yoltzin – “Small heart.”
Zeltzin – “Tenderness.”
Zuma – “Frown.”
Zyanya – “Forever.”

Gender-Neutral Aztec Names

Atl – “Water.”
Citlalli – “Star.”
Cualli – “Good.”
Ikal – “Spirit.”
Itotia – “Dance.”
Izel – “Unique.”
Meztli – “Moon.”
Nahuatl – “Clear sound.”
Nelli – “Truth.”
Ohtli – “Road” or “path.”
Tlalli – “Earth.”
Tonalli – “Day” or “soul.”
Xihuitl – “Year” or “comet.”
Yoalli – “Night.”

Choosing an Aztec Name: Cultural Considerations

When considering an Aztec name, it’s important to approach the choice with respect for the culture and its living descendants. The Nahuatl language is still spoken by approximately 1.7 million people in Mexico today, and these names carry deep cultural and spiritual significance.

If you’re of Mexican or Indigenous Central American descent, using these names can be a beautiful way to connect with your heritage. If you’re not, consider the following:

Research the meaning thoroughly – Understand not just the literal translation, but the cultural context and significance.
Pronunciation matters – Take time to learn the correct Nahuatl pronunciation. Many sounds in Nahuatl don’t exist in English.
Consider cultural appropriation – Using names from living cultures, especially those that have been historically oppressed, requires sensitivity and respect.
Support Indigenous communities – If you’re drawn to Aztec culture, consider supporting contemporary Nahuatl-speaking communities and Indigenous rights movements.

Pronunciation Guide

Nahuatl pronunciation differs significantly from English. Here are some basic guidelines:

X is pronounced like “sh” (Xochitl = “sho-cheetl”)
TL is a single consonant sound, not “tul” (Quetzalcoatl = “ket-sal-koh-AH-tl”)
HU is pronounced like “w” (Huitzilopochtli = “weet-see-loh-POHCH-tlee”)
Z is pronounced like “s”
Stress typically falls on the penultimate (second-to-last) syllable

The Legacy of Aztec Names Today

Aztec names continue to be used throughout Mexico and Mexican-American communities. Many of these names have evolved or been adapted over the centuries, but they maintain their connection to the rich history of the Nahuatl-speaking peoples. Names like Xochitl, Citlalli, and Cuauhtémoc remain popular choices for children, keeping this linguistic and cultural heritage alive.

The Aztec naming tradition reminds us that names can be more than just labels. They can be prayers, hopes, connections to the natural world, and links to a profound cultural heritage. Whether you choose an Aztec name for its meaning, its sound, or its historical significance, you’re participating in a tradition that spans centuries and continues to evolve.

Conclusion

The Aztec empire may have fallen centuries ago, but its cultural legacy lives on through language, art, traditions, and names. These 270+ Aztec names offer a glimpse into a sophisticated civilization that saw deep connections between humans, nature, and the divine. Each name tells a story, carries a wish, or embodies a quality that parents hoped to see in their children.

From powerful warrior names like Cuauhtémoc and Necalli to gentle, beautiful names like Xochitl and Citlalli, Aztec names provide options for every personality and aspiration. They remind us of a time when names were chosen with great care and profound meaning, connecting individuals to their community, their history, and the cosmos itself.