Aztec Name Generator
Our Aztec Name Generator creates fantasy names inspired by Nahuatl, the language of the Mexica, for characters, warriors, priests and the orders they belong to. It suits D&D campaigns, novels and games with a jungle empire, a sun cult or a lake city.
Click for five names, click again for more, and copy any name with the icon beside it. These names are inspired by Nahuatl rather than scholarly transcriptions, so treat them as fantasy.
Aztec names and what they mean
Many Nahuatl names are built from simple nature words, which makes them easy to combine. A few that appear in the generator:
| Part | Meaning | Sample name |
|---|---|---|
| cuauhtli | eagle | Cuauhtli |
| ocelotl | jaguar | Ocelotl |
| coatl | serpent | Itzcoatl (obsidian serpent) |
| xochitl | flower | Xochitl |
| citlalli | star | Citlalli |
| itzli | obsidian | Itztli |
| tonatiuh | sun | Tonatiuh |
| metztli | moon | Metztli |
| mazatl | deer | Mazatl |
| tecpatl | flint knife | Tecpatl |
The ending -tzin works as a respectful or affectionate suffix. Add it to a name to show status or fondness, as in a noble child or a revered elder.
Names from the calendar
Some people took their names from the day they were born. The Mexica used a 260-day ritual calendar, with day names such as Reed, Jaguar and Flower combined with a number.
That is where names like Ce Acatl, “One Reed,” and Macuilxochitl, “Five Flower,” come from. You can borrow the pattern for a character: pick a number and a day sign, and write a birth into the name itself.
Warriors, priests and weavers
Aztec society is well known for its warrior orders, especially the eagle and jaguar warriors, and the generator includes titles in that spirit. A captain might be named Cuauhtli the Eagle Warrior, and a scholar Citlalli, Keeper of the Calendar.
For other fighters, try our Warrior Name Generator. If your world has a sun cult, the Fantasy Deity Name Generator and Temple Name Generator give the priests something to serve.
Using the names at the table
Give a lake city a council instead of a king. A group such as “The Obsidian Star Council” can set quests, trade favors and argue in public, which gives the players several factions from a single name.
For the setting around them, pair these names with the Desert Name Generator or Island Name Generator, and for other ancient cultures, see the Egyptian Name Generator.
A few cautions before you borrow
The names here are inspired by Nahuatl, so treat them as a starting point for fantasy and not a reference work. If your story depends on accuracy, check a historian’s source for spelling and meaning.
Avoid giving ordinary characters the name of a god. Quetzalcoatl and Tlaloc belong to deities, and a mortal with a divine name carries a lot of weight, so make that choice on purpose.
Pronunciation helps at the table. In Nahuatl, tl is a single consonant sound, so Cuauhtli is not “Cow-ut-lee” in the original. Most players will say it their own way, and that is fine for a game.
If the empire in your world has a hidden dungeon beneath its capital, the Dungeon Name Generator can name the vault, and the Cave Name Generator covers the paths that lead to it.
Aztec Name Generator FAQs
What are some Aztec names?
Names such as Itzcoatl, Xochitl, Citlalli and Ocelotl come from Nahuatl words for obsidian, flower, star and jaguar.
Are these real historical Aztec names?
Some follow real patterns, but the generator is made for fantasy writing. Check a historian’s source if you need an exact reconstruction.
What language is Aztec?
The Mexica spoke Nahuatl, and the names here borrow its sounds and word roots.
What is an Aztec warrior name?
Warrior titles often point to an order, such as the eagle or jaguar warriors. You can combine the animal word with a personal name, as in Ocelotl the Jaguar Warrior.