The Aztec people, who flourished in Mesoamerica from the 14th to the 16th centuries, bestowed upon their children names with significance, reflecting a complex web of cultural, religious, and societal influences. Many Aztec names are inspired by nature, gods, or characteristics. The word Aztec, itself, means “person from Aztlan,” and has been known to be used as a given name. Because these names are derived from the Nahuatl language, they can also be designated as Nahuatl names. We have compiled a comprehensive list of Aztec baby names for both boys and girls. Check out this wikibook page for the proper pronunciation of Nahuatl names.

Aztec Names for Girls

Ahuic

Ahuic was the name of the Aztec goddess of the running water in rivers, streams, and waves.

Amoxtli

Amoxtli means “book” or “learned.”

Anacaona

Anacaona means “golden flower.”

Apozanolotl

Apozanolotl was the name of the Aztec goddess of purity. It would be equivalent to the English name Catherine.

Atlacoya

Atlacoya was the name of the Aztec goddess of drought. It means “just/deserved.”

Atlatonin

Atlatonin was the name of the Aztec mother-goddess.

Atzi

Atzi means “rain.”

Chalchihuitlcue

Chalchihuitlcue is a long Aztec name that has a beautiful meaning, “She who wears jade.” It is the name of the Aztec goddess of rivers, lakes, streams, and other freshwaters.

Chantico

Chantico is the Aztec deity reigning over fire. It might have meant “two-headed.”

Chicomecoatl

An Aztec name which symbolizes the seven serpents. She was the female spirit of corn and sustenance and the female counterpart of the maize god, Cintéotl.

Chimalma

Chimalma means “shield-bearer” and would be given to provide safety to a baby girl.

Chipahua

Chipahua means “to become clean or pure.”

Cihuaton

Cihuaton means “little woman.”

Citlālicue/Citlalli

Citlalli has an unknown meaning, but it might mean rising star. It was the name of an Aztec princess.

Coaxoch

Coaxoch means Serpent Flower.

Coyolxauhqui

Coyolxauhqui means “golden bells.” It’s the name of the Aztec moon goddess.

Cozamalotl

Cozamalotl means “rainbow.”

Cuicatl

Cuicatl means “song” or “to sing.”

Huixtocihuatl/Uixtochihuatl/Uixtociuatl

Huixtocihuatl is the Aztec goddess of fertility who presided over salt and saltwater.

Itzpapalotl

Itzpapalotl means “obsidian butterfly,” referring to bats. In Aztec mythology, Itzpapalotl is a skeletal warrior goddess who ruled over the paradise world of Tamoanchan.

Macuilxchitl

Macuilxchitl means “Five Flowers” and represents the Aztec god of gambling, games, and feasts.

Metztli/Metzi

Metztli was the Aztec goddess of the moon, the night, and farmers. It literally means “moon.”

Nahuatl

Literally meaning “clear language” in its own language, the language of the Nahuas, an indigenous people of Central America.

Necahual

Necahual means “survivor” or “one left behind.”

Nenetl

Nenetl means “doll.”

Nochtli

Nochtli means prickly pear fruit.”

Quetzal/Quetzalxochitl

Quetzal is short for Quetzalxochitl, which means “precious flower” or “queen.”

Teicuih

Teicuih means “younger sister.”

Teiuc

Teiuc means “second born” or “second born daughter.”

Tlachinolli

Tlachinolli means “a burning” or a symbolic reference to war.

Tlalli

Tlalli means “earth” or the beginning of all life.

Tonalnan

Tonalnan means “mother of light.”

Tonantzin

Tonantzin means “our sacred mohter” and refers to the goddess of Mother Earth.

Tozi

Tozi is an Aztec name which has been derived from the Aztec goddess of healing and sweet water.

Xochiquetzal

Xochiquetzal means “most beautiful flower” and is the name of the Aztec goddess of beauty, love, and the household arts.

Xocoyotl/Xoco

Xocoyotl, or shortened – Xoco – means “youngest sister.”

Yaretzi

Yaretzi means “you will always be loved.”

Zaniyah

Zaniyah means “Forever and Always.”

Zyanya

Zyanya also means “Forever and Always.”

Aztec Names for Boys

Ácatl

Acatl means “large reed” and is a symbol associated with authority and justice.

Ahuatzi

Ahuatzi means “small oak.”

Chicahua

Chicahua means “to become strong” or “to become mature.”

Chimalli

Chimalli is a type of shield constructed out of animal skin.

Cozcatl

Cozcatl means “jewel.:

Cuallee/Cuallea

Cuallee means “good.”

Cuetzpallee

Cuetzpallee means “lizard.” It is the day in the Aztec calendar associated with the god Huehuecoyotl.

Guatemoc/Cuauhtémoc

Guatemoc means “descending eagle about to strike prey.”

Huitzilopochtli/Huitzilin

Huitzilopochtli means “hummingbird, left” or symbolically “reincarnated warrior of the south.”

Ilhicamina

Ilhicamina means”he who shoots arrows up.”

Itzcoatl

This is a rare name that translates to “black (obsidian) serpent.” Itzcoatl was the name of the Aztec ruler of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire.

Matlalihuitl

Matlalihuitl means “blue-green feather.”

Mictlantecuhtli

Mictlantecuhtli means “Lord of Mictlan” and in Aztec mythology was the god of the dead and underworld.

Milintica

Milintica means “He Waves Fire.”

Montezuma

Montezuma literally means “Angry Like a Lord.” Montezuma was the last independent ruler of the Aztec.

Necalli

Necalli means “Battle” and would be used for boys to instill strength and warrior-like characteristics.

Netzahualcoyotl/Coyotl

Netzahualcoyotl means “hungry coyote” while the diminutive, Coyotle, means the coyote animal.

Ohtli

Ohtli means “champion.”
Aztec clay sculpture with layers of faces
Aztec Sculpture, ca. 1300

Tezcacoatl

Tezcacoatl means “serpent king.”

Tlacelel

Tlacelel means “greatest hero.”

Tlanextic

Tlanextic means “sunrise” or “light of dawn.”

Tlilpotonqui

Tlilpotonqui means “black feathered.”

Tochtlee

Tochtlee means “rabbit” or “spirited.”

Tonatiuh

Tonatiuh means “movement of the sun” and was the name of the god who ruled the daytime sky.

Tupack/Tupac/Tupoc

A powerful Aztec name for boys meaning Warrior.

Ueman

Ueman means “venerable time.”

Xihuitl

Xihuilt means “psychedelic herbs” similar to peyote.

Xipilli

Xipilli means “flowered prince” or “jeweled prince” and is the name of the Aztec god of art, games, dance, flowers, and song.

Xiutecuhtli

Xiutecuhtli means “turquoise lord.” It represents the Aztec god of fire, the creator of all life.

Xolotl

Xolotl means “water dog” and was the name of the god of fire and lightning, represented by a dog-headed man.

Yaotl/Yaotyl/Yaotel

Yaotl means “war enemy, battle rival” and is the name of a god of power, omnipotence, malevolence, feasting, and revelry.

Yolyamanitzin

Yolyamanitzin means “just, tender.”

Zipactonal

Zipactonal means “harmonic light.”

Gender-Neutral Aztec Names

Atl

Atl is a nature name meaning “water.”

Coyote

A Coyote is a North American wild canine (dog).

Cualli

Cualli means “good.”

Eztli

Eztli means “blood.”

Ichtaca

Ichtaca means “secret.”

Icnoyotl

Icnoyotl means “friendship.”

Ihuicatl

Ihuicatl means “sky.”

Itotia

Itotia means “dance.”

Ixtli

Ixtli means “face.”

Izel

Izel means “unique.”

Mazatl

Mazatl means “deer.”

Meztli

Meztli means “moon.”

Nahuatl

Nahuatl is a name that means “Four Waters.” It is the name of the Aztec language.

Ohtli

Ohtli means “road.”

Patli

Ohtli means “medicine.”

Tenoch

Tenoch means “fruit, child.”

Tochtli

Tochtli means “rabbit, hare.”

Toltecatl

Toltecatl means “an artist or creative soul.”

Xipil

Xipil means “Noble One” or “Of the Fire.”

Xiuhcoatl

Xipil means “Weapon of Destruction.”

Yaotl

Yaotl means “warrior” and can be used for all genders.

Yolotli

Yolotli means “heart.”

Zuma

Zuma means “Lord Frowns in Anger.”
Aztec Nahuatl given names were carefully crafted expressions, often drawing inspiration from the natural world, deities, and life events, manifesting a profound connection between the individual and the cosmic forces that shaped their existence. If you’re a descendent of the Aztec, using a Nahuatl name will connect you with your ancestors and perpetuate this grad culture in the younger generations of your family.
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Jennifer Moss (she/her) is the founder of BabyNames.com, author of The Baby Names Workbook, and Producer of The Baby Names Podcast. Jennifer is widely regarded as the leading expert on popular baby name trends and the naming process, serving as the authoritative source on the subject for national and international media.

Jennifer entered the tech arena in the 80s as a software developer and database architect, and became a pioneer in the Internet industry. In addition to operating BabyNames.com, Jennifer owns a web development agency in central California.