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Home › Baby Names Directory › Metztli

Metztli

♀ Girl

Pronounced METS-tlee /ˈmɛts.tli/Medium

Meaning: Moon; the Nahuatl word for the moon and the name of the Aztec lunar deityHigh

In 30 seconds: The Aztec moon itself: Metztli is the Nahuatl word for the moon and its deity. A proud Indigenous revival name glowing over modern Mexico.
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Origin HighNahuatl, Mexican
MeaningMoon; the Nahuatl word for the moon and the name of the Aztec lunar deity
U.S. rank (2025)#3629 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births42 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 493

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202320012025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Metztli is the Nahuatl word for 'moon' and the name of the Aztec deity associated with the moon and the night; the moon's rabbit-marked face stars in one of Mesoamerica's most charming myths. The element survives in place names like Metztitlan, 'place of the moon'.

With the revival of Nahuatl names in Mexico and Mexican-American communities, Metztli joined Xochitl and Citlali as a heritage choice — lunar where Citlali is stellar. It remains rare in the U.S., with the tz cluster a proud marker of its origin.

Did you know? In Aztec myth, a god threw a rabbit at the moon's face to dim its light — which is why Mexicans still see a rabbit, not a man, in the moon Metztli.
Overall data confidence 88%
Nahuatl dictionary (Wired Humanities / IDIEZ) — metztli — word meaning

Variations

MeztliMetzli

Nicknames

Metz

Famous Bearers

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If you like Metztli…

Citlali— the Nahuatl 'star' to Metztli's moon
Xochitl— the classic Nahuatl 'flower' revival name
Yaretzi— a fellow modern Mexican Indigenous favorite
Luna— the Latin moon name sharing its meaning

Explore names like Metztli

By themeheritagemythologynahuatlmoon
By meaningMoon

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Metztli mean?

Metztli is the Nahuatl word for 'moon' and the name of the Aztec deity of the moon and night.

How do you pronounce Metztli?

It's said METS-tlee /ˈmɛts.tli/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Metztli a boy or girl name?

The deity was portrayed variously, but as a modern given name Metztli is used mainly for girls.

How popular is Metztli?

Metztli is a rare name in the U.S., chosen by families honoring Mexican Indigenous heritage.

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