105 Nahuatl Baby Names With Meanings

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
Acamapichtli		Boy	A handful of reeds or long grass
Achcauhtli		Boy	Leader; A man with leadership qualities
Ahuiliztli		Boy	Happiness and joy; One who brings joy
Amairani		Girl	Eternal
Ameyalli		Unisex	Beautiful soul
Anci		Girl	A graceful woman
Athziri		Girl	Flower water
Atziri		Girl	Water jewel; Water goddess
Atziry		Unisex	Crown of God
Avocado		Unisex	Happiness
Centehua		Girl	The only one, unique.
Chalchiuitl		Girl	Emerald
Chicahua		Boy	A strong and powerful man
Chili		Unisex	Hot; Spicy fruit
Chimalpopoca		Boy	A smoking shield
Cipactli		Boy	Nahuatl word for crocodile
Citlalmina		Girl	Greatest of all the female heroes
Citlaly		Girl	Star
Coatl		Boy	Serpent
Coaxoch		Girl	Serpent flower
Cocoliloc		Girl	One who is hated
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
Huitzilihuitl		Boy	Hummingbird; Feather of a hummingbird; Pen of a hummingbird
Huitzilli		Boy	Hummingbird
Iccauhtli		Boy	A younger brother
Ichpochton		Girl	Little daughter
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
Itzcuin		Boy	Runs like a dog
Iuitl		Unisex	Feather
Iyari		Unisex	Heart; Memory
Izel		Girl	Hand; Homeland
Jatziri		Girl	Life water; Essential water
Letisha		Girl	Joyful; Radiant; Happiness
Mahuizoh		Unisex	A glorious person
Maize		Boy	Corn; golden; agricultural
Malinalxochitl		Girl	The grass flower
Matlal		Boy	Dark green; Net
Matlalhuitl		Boy	Blue-green feather
Matlalihhuitl		Boy	Purple feather
Mecatl		Unisex	Lineage
Meshika		Unisex	Born to rule
Meztli		Boy	The one who is compared to the moon
Milintica		Boy	He is waving; Fire
Miyanna		Unisex	Beautiful and elegant
Moctezuma		Boy	The sub; Someone who is kind and lovable
Momoztli		Unisex	The altar
Morelia		Unisex	City in Mexico
Moyolehuani		Unisex	The enamored one
Namacuix		Boy	King
Necahual		Girl	Survivor
Necalli		Boy	Fight; War place; Competition; Contest
Necuametl		Boy	King
Neza		Unisex	Rain; A gift from God
Nezahualcoyotl		Boy	The fasting coyote; Name of a Texcoco king
Nezahualpilli		Boy	A prince who fasts
Nopaltzin		Boy	A consistent man
Ollin		Boy	Changing the location of something
Omacatl		Boy	The double-gendered deity, a creator god
Papan		Girl	Nahuatl word for flag
Quauhtli		Boy	Eagle
Quenmachoc		Boy	An unknown name
Quetzal		Unisex	Brightly colored bird; Precious; Rare
Quetzalcoatl		Boy	Feathered serpent
Quetzalxochitl		Girl	A precious flower; Queen
Tecuetlaza		Boy	He who throws like a Mexican beaded lizard
Teichuih		Girl	The younger sister
Teicuh		Girl	Someone's older sister
Teoxihuitl		Unisex	The precious stone turquoise
Tepiltzin		Boy	The privileged son
Tepin		Girl	The little one
Teuhcatl		Boy	Dust person
Teuicui		Girl	Younger sister
Teyacapan		Girl	First-born daughter
Tezcacoatl		Boy	Serpent; King
Tizoc		Boy	An ancient Aztec ruler
Tizocicatzin		Boy	An ancient king of the Aztec empire
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
Tlalli		Girl	Earth
Xitlali		Girl	Star
Xitlaly		Girl	Star
Xochiatlapal		Girl	Flower wing
Xochiquen		Boy	Flower garment
Xoco		Girl	Youngest sister

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!

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team