60+ Popular And Meaningful Aztec Names For Your Sweet Little Tot
If you’re searching for the perfect baby name and still haven’t found the one for your little one, you may want to consider one of these dozens of meaningful and historically rich Aztec names for girls or boys, or others that are gender-neutral. Think back to your elementary or high school world history class. You probably learned about different dominant civilizations that lived in parts of Mesoamerica and South America prior to the arrival of European settlers, including the Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas. We won’t get into a history lesson here (as you can imagine, like any colonization situation, this doesn’t end well for the Indigenous Peoples), but we will point out that like the other civilizations, the Aztecs built an advanced society with their own political, social, religious, and commercial structures.
The Aztecs were also relatively diverse — made up of people from a variety of different tribes and ethnicities, though many spoke the Nahuatl language. Aztec people often were named after aspects of nature: whether it was a type of weather, plant, animal, an element, or something in the night sky. Although the precise origins of the Aztec people are unknown, it is thought that they started off as nomadic hunter-gatherers, so the special devotion and attention to nature makes sense, given the lifestyle.
In addition to nature, Aztec names frequently came from religion: specifically, the culture’s gods and goddesses. Other times, Aztec boys were named after famous warriors — though the general population wasn’t allowed to name their children after Aztec nobility (male or female). Aztec names for girls also included meaningful words or phrases, like “you will always be loved” and “forever.” If you’re looking for just a bit of inspiration, check out our extensive — and growing list — ahead.
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Aztec Names for Girls
- Amoztli
Meaning: Book Origin: Aztec
- Atzi
Meaning: Rain Origin: Aztec
- Chiconahui
Meaning: Hearth-goddess Origin: Aztec
- Chimalma
Meaning: Shield-bearer Origin: Aztec
- Citlalic
Meaning: A rising star Origin: Aztec
- Coaxoch
Meaning: Serpent flower Origin: Aztec
- Itzpapalotl
Meaning: Name of famous Aztec female warrior Origin: Aztec
- Metztli
Meaning: Goddess of night Origin: Aztec
- Necahual
Meaning: Survivor Origin: Aztec
- Nenetl
Meaning: Doll Origin: Aztec
- Quetzal
Meaning: Precious flower or queen Origin: Aztec
- Quetzalli
Meaning: A large, beautiful feather Origin: Aztec
- Tayanna
Meaning: Gift from God Origin: Aztec
- Tlachinolli
Meaning: Fire Origin: Aztec
- Tonalnan
Meaning: Mother of Light Origin: Aztec
- Tozi
Meaning: Goddess of healing and sweet water Origin: Aztec
- Xitllali
Meaning: Goddess of the moon Origin: Aztec
- Xóchitl/Xochil
Meaning: Flower Origin: Aztec
- Yaretzi
Meaning: “You will always be loved” Origin: Aztec
- Yolihuali
Meaning: Source of life Origin: Aztec
- Zaniyah/Zyanya
Meaning: Always, forever Origin: Aztec
- Zeltzin
Meaning: Delicate Origin: Aztec
Aztec Names for Boys
- Acalan
Meaning: A small and narrow rowing boat Origin: Aztec
- Ácatl
Meaning: Giant reed Origin: Aztec
- Chicahua
Meaning: Strong Origin: Aztec
- Chimalli/Chimalley
Meaning: Shield Origin: Aztec
- Coatl
Meaning: Snake or serpent Origin: Aztec
- Coyotl
Meaning: Coyote Origin: Aztec
- Cuetzpallee
Meaning: Lizard Origin: Aztec
- Huitzilin
Meaning: Hummingbird Origin: Aztec
- Ilhicamina
Meaning: “He who shoots arrows at the sky” Origin: Aztec
- Itzcoatl
Meaning: Obsidian serpent Origin: Aztec
- Matlalihuitl
Meaning: A blue-green feather Origin: Aztec
- Mictlantecuhtli
Meaning: The Aztec lord of Mictlan Origin: Aztec
- Ocotlan
Meaning: Pine Origin: Aztec
- Ohtli
Meaning: Road Origin: Aztec
- Quetzalcoatl
Meaning: God of wind and rain Origin: Aztec
- Tlacelel
Meaning: Greatest hero Origin: Aztec
- Tlanextli
Meaning: Radiance or splendor Origin: Aztec
- Tupoc
Meaning: Warrior Origin: Aztec
- Xipilli
Meaning: Jeweled prince Origin: Aztec
- Xiuhcoatl
Meaning: Weapon of destruction Origin: Aztec
- Xochipilli
Meaning: The god of love and flowers Origin: Aztec
- Yaotl
Meaning: Warrior Origin: Aztec
Gender-neutral Aztec Names
- Atl
Meaning: Water Origin: Aztec
- Aztec
Meaning: Aztec Origin: Aztec
- Cualli/Cuallee/Cuallea
Meaning: Good Origin: Aztec
- Eztli
Meaning: Blood Origin: Aztec
- Ichtaca
Meaning: Secret Origin: Aztec
- Icnoyotl
Meaning: Friendship Origin: Aztec
- Ihuicatl
Meaning: The sky Origin: Aztec
- Itotia
Meaning: To dance Origin: Aztec
- Ixtli
Meaning: Face Origin: Aztec
- Izel
Meaning: Unique Origin: Aztec
- Mazatl
Meaning: Deer Origin: Aztec
- Meztli
Meaning: Moon Origin: Aztec
- Nahuatl
Meaning: Goddess of Water and Rivers Origin: Aztec
- Tenoch
Meaning: Fruit Origin: Aztec
- Toltecatl
Meaning: An artist or creative person Origin: Aztec
- Xipil
Meaning: Noble one, or one of fire Origin: Aztec
- Yolotli
Meaning: Heart Origin: Aztec
- Zuma
Meaning: “The Lord frowns in anger” Origin: Aztec
Aztec God Names
Aztec names are filled with history and meaning, and the names of their gods are no different. The names below are not only significant but incredibly unique.
Tlaloc
This ancient deity is the supreme god of rain. He also controls agriculture and fertility. Tlaloc is a prominent figure in both Olmec and Mayan civilizations as well.
Tezcatlipoca
Tezcatlipoca’s name means “smoking mirror.” He is the god of night, and he symbolizes death and cold.
Quetzalcoatl
Quetzalcoatl is considered the opposite of Tezcatlipoca. He is the god of wind and life. Quetzalcoatl means “feathered serpent.”
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