200+ Aztec Names With Beautiful Meanings For Boys & Girls

Who Were The Aztec People & Why Choose Their Names?

Aztec names can be exotic and cool, especially because many have beautiful meanings derived from nature.

The Aztecs were nomadic Native American people who came from Aztlan. They spoke the Nahuatl language. (1)

Historians are unsure about the exact location of the Aztecs’ legendary hometown, but this nomadic tribe eventually settled and founded Tenochtitlan, now modern-day Mexico City. (1)

Because the Aztecs worshiped nature and had more than 200 gods and goddesses, it isn’t surprising that many Aztec baby names are also nature names or linked with mythology.

Many of their baby names are also long and descriptive. For example, “Yolyamanitzin” means “one who is just and considerate.”

Serpents or snakes, known as “Coatl,” symbolize power, transformation, fertility, and renewal. So, several Aztec names have this word, including the Aztec main god “Quetzalcoatl,” identified as the creator of the Earth and humanity.

The Aztecs, The Mexicas, & The Mexicans

The Aztecs referred to themselves as the “Mexica,” and they’re considered indigenous people of Mexico. However, they aren’t the only ancestors of the Mexicans.

After the Aztecs established their empire, they were later conquered by the Spanish, who would greatly influence Mexican culture.

Today, Mexican names lean more towards Spanish than the Nahuatl language. Aztec names have become rare even in the region.

Simple Guide To Pronouncing Aztec Names

Note that Nahuatl is a pictographic language (communication using pictures instead of the conventional alphabet we use today). So, pronunciations can vary, and the letters might be used differently. Some English letters are also “missing” from their language, including “F” and “J.” (2)

The words and names in the Nahuatl language can be difficult to pronounce for Westerners. Also, pronunciation conventions can vary. Still, here’s a simple guide to help you pronounce these baby names:

“CU” and “UC” are pronounced as “KW”
“HU” and “UH” are pronounced as “W”
“LL” is pronounced as “long L”
“TL” is pronounced as either “L” or “T”
“X” is pronounced as “SH”
“Z” is pronounced as “S”

Below we share 200+ names from the Aztec civilization you can use as inspiration for your little one’s name.

Aztec Names By Category For Boys & Girls

What Are Some Aztec Warrior Names?

Ahuitzotl (boy; ah-wee-sol) – “Water thorny” or “water porcupine”; Aztec warrior and conqueror who expanded the Aztec Empire throughout modern-day Guatemala and the Gulf of Mexico
Atlatl (boy; at-laht) – “Spear-thrower”
Caonabo (boy; cow-nah-bo) – Aztec warrior who fought against Christopher Columbus and the Spanish conquerors
Chimalli (boy; chee-mah-lee) – “Shield; also spelled as “Chimalley”
Chimalma (girl; chee-mal-mah) – “Shield-bearer”
Necalli (boy; neh-kahl-ee) – “Battle”
Tlacelel (boy; tlah-keh-lel) – “Greatest hero”
Tlamanih (boy; tlah-mah-nee) – “Captors”; collective name for the Aztec warriors tasked to find captures to offer to the gods
Tupac (boy; too-pak) – “Warrior”; after American rapper Tupac Shakur
Yaotl (boy; yaow-t) – “Warrior,” “soldier,” or “fighter”

Royal Aztec Names

Beautiful Aztec Queen & Princess Names

Atotoztli (girl; ah-toe-tosch-tlee) – “Water bird”; powerful princess believed to have ruled the Triple Alliance of Nahuatl cities; variant of “Huitzilxochtzin”
Azcaxochtzin (girl; ahs-cahsh-oh-cht-seen) – Flower name that means “flower of the water”; queen of Tepetlaoztoc (modern-day Central Mexico)
Erendira (girl; eh-rehn-dee-rah) – “Smiling princess”
Ilancuéitl (girl; ih-lan-kwe-eet) – “Old woman skirt”; first queen of Tenochtitlan (modern-day Mexico City)
Quetzal (girl; kwet-sal) – “Queen” or “precious flower”
Siuapilli (girl; see-oo-ah-pilli) – “Princess”

Aztec Emperor & Prince Names

Acamapichtli (boy; aca-ma-pic-htli) – “Handful of reeds”; first Aztec emperor
Cuauhtémoc (boy; k-oo-ah-oo-teh-mohk) – “Descending eagle”; last Aztec emperor
Itzcoatl (boy; eets-koh-aht) – “Obsidian serpent”; powerful Aztec emperor
Necuametl (boy; neh-kwa-mel) – “King”
Tlasotepilli (boy; tlah-soh-teh-pillee) – “Prince”
Xipilli (boy; schee-pee-lee) – “Jeweled prince”
Xochipilli (boy; scho-chee-pee-lee) – “Flower prince”; Aztec god of love, flowers, and music

Aztec Names With Beautiful Meanings

What Aztec Name Means Star?

Citlalee (boy and girl space name; see-tah-lee) – “Star”
Citlalic (gender-neutral name; see-tah-lik) – “Rising star”
Citlalicue (girl; seet-lah-lee-kway) – “Dressed in stars”
Citlalpopoca (girl; seet-lahl-po-po-kwa) – “Smoking star” or “comet”
Xihuitl (boy; schee-weet) – “Comet” or “shooting star”
Xiuhcoatl (boy; schee-uh-koh-aht) – “Comet,” “shooting star,” “turquoise serpent,” or “fire serpent”

What’s The Aztec Name For Strong?

Chicahua (boy; chee-ka-wah) – “Strong”

Aztec Names That Mean Beautiful

Cualnēzqui (girl; kwal-nez-kee) – “Beautiful”
Cualtzin (girl; kwahlt-seen) – “Beautiful”
Itzcali (boy; eets-kah-lee) – “House of beauty”
Quetzaltic (girl; kwet-zahl-tik) – “Beautiful”
Ticualtzin (girl; tik-wahlt-seen) – “You are beautiful”; variants include “Tiquetzaltic” and “Ticualnēzqui”
Xochiquetzal (girl; zo-chee-kayt-zul) – “Beautiful flower”; Aztec goddess of love

Aztec Names That Mean Moon

Meztli (nonbinary name; mez-tlee) – “Moon”
Xitllali (girl; see-tlah-lee) – “Beautiful princess” or “star”; it doesn’t mean moon, but it’s after the Aztec goddess of the moon, and also spelled as “Xitlali”

Aztec Names That Mean Fire

Chantico (girl; chan-tee-koh) – “She who lives in the house”; Aztec goddess of fire
Hueytleti (boy; whey-teh-tee) – “Big fire”
Milintica (boy; mih-leen-tee-kah) – “He waves fire”
Tlachinolli (unisex; tlah-chee-noh-lee) – “Fire”
Tlatilpa (boy; tlah-til-pah) – “Where fire was born”
Xipil (unisex; schee-pil) – “Of fire” or “noble one”
Xiuhtecuhtli (boy; schyoo-tek-uht-lee) – “Fire”
Xiutecuhtli (boy; schoo-tek-uht-lee) – “Gentleman of the fire”

Aztec Names That Mean Water

Acozpa (boy; ah-kos-pah) – “In the yellow water”
Ahuic (girl; ah-hwee-ik) – “Aztec goddess of running water, rivers, and streams”
Ameyalli (girl; ah-meh-yah-lee) – “Fountain,” “spring,” or “flowing water”
Atl (unisex; aht) – “Water”
Chalchihuitlcue (girl; chal-chee-weet-lee-kway) – “She who wears a jade skirt”; also spelled as “Chalchiuhtlicue”
Nahuatl (unisex; nah-waht) – “Spring” or “fountain”; Aztec goddess of water and rivers

Legendary Aztec Names For Gods & Goddesses

Apozanolotl (ah-poz-ahn-uh-lot) – Aztec goddess of purity
Atlacamani (atlah-kah-mah-nee) – Aztec goddess of storms
Atlacoya (atlah-koy-ah) – Aztec goddess of droughts
Atlatonan (Atlah-toe-nuhn) – Aztec goddess of the earth; also spelled as Atlatonin
Ayauhteotl (aya-tay-oht) – Aztec goddess of mist and haze
Chalmecacihuilt (chal-meh-kah-see-weelt) – Aztec goddess of the underworld
Cipactonal (see-pak-tlee) – Aztec god of astrology and calendars
Coatlicue (coh-aht-lee-kway) – Aztec mother of all gods
Mayahuel (mah-yah-well)- Aztec goddess of fertility and childbearing
Omecihuatl (oh-may-see-waht) – Aztec goddess of duality and all creation.
Ometecuhtli (oh-may-teh-kuht-lee) – Aztec god of duality and life; male version of “Omecíhuatl”
Tepeyollotl (teh-peh-yo-llot) – Aztec god of caves, jaguars, and earthquakes
Tonantzin (tohn-ant-seen) – “Honored mother,” a term that applies to the maternal aspect of Aztec earth goddesses

Nature-Inspired Aztec Names

Ahuatzi (boy; ah-wayt-see) – “Small oak tree”
Cihuacoatl (girl; kee-wah-kwat) – “The serpent woman”; Aztec goddess of motherhood, fertility, and midwifery
Cipactli (boy; see-pak-tlee) – “Crocodile”
Coyotl (boy; koh-yoht) – “Coyote”
Cozamalotl (girl; kohsch-mah-lot) – “Rainbow”; beautiful choice as a rainbow baby name
Cuetzpallee (boy; kwet-sah-pah-llee) – “Lizard”; also spelled as “Cuetzpallea”
Ihuicatl (androgynous name; ee-wee-kaht) – “Sky”
Itzpapalotl (girl; ee-tsch-papah-loht) – “Obsidian butterfly” or “bats”
Jatziri (girl; yaht-see-ree) – “Dewdrop”
Sugey (girl; soo-hey) – “Sunlight”
Tecuani (boy; teh-kwah-nee) – “Jaguar” or “tiger”
Teoxihuitl (unisex; tay-oh-schi-weet) – “Precious”, “turquoise,” or “divine”
Tlaloc (boy; tlah-lok) – “He who makes things sprout”; Aztec god of rain
Tlanextic (boy; tlah-nesch-tik) – “Light of dawn”
Tlazohtzin (girl; tlah-zoh-tzin) – “Little necklace of flowers” or “one who is loved”
Tochtlee (unisex; toch-tlee) – “Rabbit”; you can also pick this as a bunny girl name
Xiloxoch (girl; schee-lo-scho-ch) – “Calliandra flower”
Xochicotzin (girl; scho-chee-koht-seen) – “Little necklace of flowers”
Xóchitl (girl; zo-cheet) – “Flower”

Rare Aztec Names

Camaxtli (boy; kah-maz-tlee) – “Without deer sandal”; Aztec god of the hunt
Sanse (gender-neutral; san-say) – “Unique”
Tayanna (girl; tie-ahn-nah) – “Gift from God”
Tlilpotonqui (boy; tlihl-poh-tohn-kee) – “Feathered in black”

Short Aztec Names

Ácatl (girl; ah-kaht) – Short girl name meaning “giant reed”
Atzi (girl; aht-see) – “Rain”
Aztec (unisex; ahz-tek) – “Person of Aztlan”
Coatl (unisex; koh-aht) – “Snake” or “serpent”
Cuallea (unisex; kwah-lee) – “Good”
Itzli (unisex; eets-lee) – “Obsidian (a naturally black glass)”
Izel (unisex; eye-sell) – “Only one” or “unique”
Patli (unisex; pat-lee) – “Medicine” or “healing”
Tlalli (unisex; tah-lee) – “Earth”
Toci (girl; toh-see) – “Grandma”; an aspect of the Aztec earth goddess as the mother of the gods
Xoco (girl; zo-koh) – “Younger sister”; also a twin girl name
Zolin (boy; soh-leen) – Short boy name meaning “quail”

Long Aztec Names

Acuecucyoticihuati (girl; ah-kweh-koo-kyoh-tiki-hwah-tee) – Aztec goddess of the ocean and marine life
Matlalihuitl (boy; maht-lah-lee-weet) – “Green-blue feathers” (a symbol of respect in Aztec culture)
Mictlantecuhtli (boy; mihct-lan-tay-kuht-lee) – “Lord of Mictlan”; Aztec god of the dead
Netzahualcoyotl (boy; neht-sah-wahl-koh-yoht) – “Hungry coyote”
Tonaltzintli (unisex; tohn-alt-seen-tlee) – “Sun”
Yoloxochitl (girl; yo-loh-zo-cheet) – “Flower of the heart”
Zipactonal (boy; see-pak-tohn-al) – “Harmonic light”

Musical Aztec Names

Cuicatl (unisex; kwee-caht) – “Song”
Yolokuikatl (unisex; you-loh-kwee-kaht) – “Heart song”

Nahuatl Names For Boys & Girls

What Are Some Aztec Names For Boys?

Cozcatl (boy; kosch-kaht) – “Jewel”
Tonatiuh (boy; toh-nah-wak) – Name that means “sun” (sunshine)
Tonauac (boy; toh-nah-tee-uh) – “One who possesses light”

Aztec Baby Girl Names

Anacaona (girl; ana-kah-oh-nah) – “Golden flower”
Chipahua (girl; chee-pah-wah) – “Purity” or “clean”
Cihuatlatoque (girl; see-waht-lat-ohk-way) – “Woman ruler”
Teicuih (girl; tie-key) – “Younger sister”
Zyanya (girl; san-ee-yah) – “Always and forever”

Gender-Neutral & Unisex Aztec Names

Coaxoch (unisex; coh-asch-och) – “Serpent flower”
Erandi (unisex; eh-ran-dee) – “Dawn”
Etapalli (unisex; eh-tah-pah-lee) – “Wing”

Aztec Last Names Sometimes Used As First Names

Aca – “Cane”
Acxotlan – “The year 1761”
Cocolotl – “Angry”
Papaqui – “Happy”
Popoca – “To smoke”
Tapachula – “Between the waters”
Tecuanhuehue – “Old tiger”

Aztec Names From A To Z

Aztec Names Starting With A

Acalan (boy; ah-kah-lan) – “Tenochtitlan narrow rowing boat”
Ahuiliztli (boy; ah-wee-lees-lee) – “Joy”
Amoxtli (unisex; ah-mosch-tlee) – “Book”; also spelled as “Amoztli”
Atlatonin (girl; at-lah-no-neen) – “Aztec mother goddess”

Aztec Names Starting With B

Bimorí (girl; bee-more-ree) – “Fog”

Aztec Names Starting With C

Chicomecoatl (girl; chee-meh-koh-aht) – “Seven snakes”; Aztec goddess of corn and sustenance
Chiconahui (girl; chee-koh-nah-wee) – Aztec hearth goddess
Cihuaton (girl; see-wah-ton) – “Little woman”
Cuallee (unisex; kwah-lee) – “Good”; also a variant of “Cuallea” and “Cualli”
Cuetzpalli (boy; kwehtz-pah-lee) – “Lizard”; also spelled as “Cuetzpallea”

Aztec Names Starting With D

Danaá (girl; day-naah) – “Stream”

Aztec Names Starting With E

Ehecatl (boy; eh-heh-cat) – “The wind serpent”
Eztli (unisex; ehz-tlee) – “Blood”

Aztec Names Starting With G

Guatemoc (boy; gwah-teh-mok) – “Diving eagle” or “falling eagle”; also spelled as “Guatimozin,” “Cuathemoc,” or “Cuauhtemotzin”

Aztec Names Starting With H

Huitzilin (boy; weet-slee-leen) – “Hummingbird”
Huixtocihuatl (girl; wee-sch-toe-see-waht) – “Salt lady”; Aztec goddess of fertility, salt water, and salt

Aztec Names Starting With I

Ichtacka (unisex; eech-tah-kah) – “Secret”
Icnoyotl (unisex; eek-no-yoht) – “Friendship”; also spelled as “Ichnoyotl”
Ikniutli (unisex; eek-nee-oot-lee) – “Friend”
Ilhicamina (boy; eel-hee-kah-mee-nah) – “He who shoots arrows at the sky” or “he who hunts the sky”
Itotia (unisex; eet-oh-tee-ah) – “Dance”
Itztli (boy; eets-tlee) – “Obsidian knife”
Ixcuiname (girl; eeksh-kwee-nah-may) – “Four faces” or “four sisters”
Ixtli (unisex; eek-tlee) – “Face”

Aztec Names Starting With K

Kauitl (unisex; kah-weet) – “Time”

Aztec Names Starting With L

Luitl (unisex; loo-wit) – “Feather”

Aztec Names Starting With M

Macuilxóchitl (girl; mah-kwill-scho-cheet) – “Five flowers”
Mahuizoh (boy; mah-wee-soh) – “Glorious person”
Mazatl (unisex; mas-aht) – “Deer”
Metztli (girl; met-z-tlee) – Name that means “moon”; Aztec goddess of the night
Mixcóatl (unisex; misch-coh-aht) – “Sky serpent”; Aztec god of hunting and food
Mizquixaual (unisex; mis-key-schaw-wal) – “Aztec face paint used in religious ceremonies”
Montezuma (unisex; mont-eh-zoo-mah) – “Lord who frowns angrily”; one of the Aztec emperors, and also spelled as “Moctezuma”

Aztec Names Starting with N

Necahual (unisex; neh-cah-wahl) – “Survivor”
Nenetl (girl; neh-neht) – “Doll”
Nochehuatl (boy; noh-chay-waht) – “Constant”
Nochtli (unisex; nocht-lee) – “Prickly pear fruit”

Aztec Names Starting With O

Ocelotl (boy; oh-seh-lot) – “Warrior” or “jaguar”
Ocotlan (boy; ok-oht-lan) – “Pine”
Ohtli (unisex; oht-lee) – “Road,” “path,” or “champion”

Aztec Names Starting With P

Patlee (unisex; pat-lee) – “Medicine” or “healing”

Aztec Names Starting With Q

Quetzalcoatl (boy; kwet-sal-kwat) – “The feathered serpent”; a key Aztec god known as the creator of the Earth and humanity, and the god of the wind and rain
Quetzalli (unisex; kwet-sah-lee) – “Beautiful feather”
Quetzalxochitl (girl; kayte-zal-scho-cheet) – “Queen” or “precious flower”

Aztec Names Starting With R

Rahui (boy; rah-wee) – “Day”

Aztec Names Starting With S

Sacnite (girl’; sak-nee-tay) – “White flower”

Aztec Names Starting With T

Teiuc (unisex; tay-uk) – “Second born”
Tenoch (unisex’; teh-noch) – “Fruit”
Tepeloyotl (unisex; teh-peh-loy-oht) – “Heart of the mountains”
Teptl (unisex; teh-pit) – “Mountain”
Tezcacoatl (boy; tehs-kah-koh-aht) – “Serpent king” in Aztec mythology
Tezcatlipoca (boy; tehs-kaht-lee-poka) – “Smoking mirror”; Aztec god of the night sky and the Great Bear constellation
Tlanextli (boy; tlah-nesch-tlee) – “Splendor” or “radiance”
Tlayouak (unisex; tlah-you-ak) – “Dark”
Tochtli (unisex; tok-tee) – “Rabbit”; also spelled as “Tototl”
Toltecatl (unisex; tohl-teh-kaht) – “Artist”
Tonalnan (girl; tohn-al-nahn) – “Mother of light”
Tozi (girl; toh-see) – “Grandmother”; Aztec goddess of healing and sweet water
Tzitzamitl (girl; tss-eets-ah-meet) – Powerful and badass girl name after the monstrous star deity depicted with skulls and crossbones

Aztec Names Starting With U

Ueman (boy; wee-man) – “Venerable time”
Uetzcayotl (boy; wet-sah-yol) – “Light’s essence”

Aztec Names Starting With X

Xicohtencatl (boy; schee-koh-ten-kaht) – “Angry bumblebee”
Xilonen (girl; schee-lo-nehn) – “Hairy one”; Aztec goddess of corn and maize
Xiomara (girl; see-oh-mara) – “Battle,” “guest,” or “I love you”
Xiuhtonal (unisex; schee-uh-tohn-al) – “Precious light”
Xochiyotl (girl; zo-chee-yoht) – “Heart of a gentle flower”
Xocotzin (girl; zo-koht-seen) – “Youngest daughter”
Xocoyotl (unisex; scho-koh-yot) – “Youngest child”
Xolotl (unisex; scho-lot) – “Precious twin”

Aztec Names Starting With Y

Yaotyl (boy; yow-til) – “Rival”; also spelled as “Yaotel”
Yaretzi (unisex; yah-reht-see) – “Always loved”
Yolihuani (unisex; yol-ee-wah-nee) – “Source of life”; a variant of “Yolihuali”
Yolotli (unisex; you-loht-lee) – “Heart”; also spelled as “Yolotl” or “Yollotl”
Yolyamanitzin (boy; yol-ta-mahn-eet-seen) – “He who is just and considerate”
Yunuen (girl; yoo-noo-wen) – “God’s wife”

Aztec Names Starting With Z

Zaniyah (girl; san-ee-yah) – “Forever” and “always”; also spelled as “Zaniya” or “Zyanya”
Zeltzin (girl; selt-seen) – “Delicate”
Zuma (boy; soo-mah) – “The Lord frowns in anger”

Other Indigenous Mexican Names

Cuetzpallea (boy; kwets-pa-lee-yah) – “Lizard”; also spelled as “Cuetzpallee”
Coyolxauhqui (girl; cot-ohl-schaw-key) – “Golden bells” or “painted with bells”
Miyaoaxochitl (girl; mee-yao-ascho-cheet) – “Maize tassel flower”

FAQs For Aztec Names

Who Held The Most Power In Aztec Culture?

The emperors or kings held the most power, although some were more powerful than others. (3)

For example, Itzcóatl was the fourth king of Tenochtitlan (modern-day Mexico City), yet he’s credited as the founder of the Aztec Empire. This powerful emperor ruled from 1427 to 1440. His name means “obsidian serpent.” (3)

Through Itzcóatl, Tenochtitlan created alliances with neighboring states, particularly Tlacopan and Texcoco. The empire grew, expanding to 400-500 small states that ruled more than 6 million people by 1519. (3)

Who Are The Toughest & Most Revered Aztec Warriors?

The Eagle and Jaguar warriors were Aztec culture’s toughest, most revered military societies. They’re strong, tough, and known to engage in constant warfare as full-time professional warriors. (4)

The position is open to commoners and is the highest rank they can attain. Eagle or Jaguar warriors were given better equipment including spears, daggers, and bows. (4)

These warriors also wear special battle costumes and differ by the type of costumes they wear: (4)

Jaguar warriors have armor decorated with jaguar skins and heads.
Eagle warriors have quilted cotton armor decorated with eagle feathers and an eagle head and feathers on their helmets.

What’s A Jaguar For The Aztecs?

The Aztecs revere many animals. While serpents symbolize power, fertility, transformation, and renewal, jaguars are honored as a symbol of clever stealth, strength, and agility, particularly in war or battle.

“Tecuani” is an Aztec boy name for “jaguar” or “tiger.”

Is The Hermione Name Really Banned In Mexico?

Yes. It’s banned in Sonora, Mexico.

“Hermione” is a favorite witchy name after the smart young witch and one of the main characters in the “Harry Potter” series. However, the lawmakers of Sonora believe that names from the wizarding world can lead to possible bullying. (5)

Aside from “Hermione,” “Harry Potter” is also banned (although “Harry” alone doesn’t appear to be included in the ban). (5)

Other names banned by Sonora from use as baby names: (5)

Robocop
Email
Twitter
Yahoo

Popular Baby Name Lists

You can also find ideas from the top 15 baby name generators.

Baby Name Lists By Letter

Other Resources For Pregnant Moms

References

(1) https://www.guggenheim.org/publication/the-aztec-empire

(2) https://omniglot.com/writing/nahuatl.htm

(3) https://www.britannica.com/topic/Aztec/Establishment-of-the-Aztec-empire#ref232038

(4) https://www.historyonthenet.com/aztec-warriors-rank-and-warrior-societies

(5) https://www.huffpost.com/entry/baby-names-banned-around-world_l_5e3b06c7c5b6b5fb438b8c30