Chimalma (Nahuatl: Chīmalmā) is an Aztec goddess whose name means "shield hand", derived from chīmalli "shield" and māitl "hand." She is best known as the mother of the important Mesoamerican deities Quetzalcoatl and Xolotl in Aztec mythology. Etymology The name Chimalma combines the Nahuatl elements chīmalli (shield) and māitl (hand), symbolizing a hand that holds a shield, possibly reflecting martial or protective attributes. This is consistent with her role as a powerful female deity in Aztec lore. Cultural and Mythological Significance According to Aztec traditions preserved in works like the Manuscript of 1558, Chimalma encountered the god Mixcoatl (the "Cloud Serpent") while naked, and after a symbolic arrow shot between her legs, she became pregnant with Quetzalcoatl. Different versions of the myth exist, as is common in Aztec oral histories, but she is consistently portrayed as a spirit that accompanied the Azteca from the mythical homeland of Aztlán. Some sources indicate that Huitzilopochtli and Quetzalcoatl were spiritual entities adopted from the Toltec legacy when the Aztecs lived among the Chichimeca. Notable Bearers As a mythological figure, Chimalma is not known to have been a historical person; however, her name occasionally appears in modern contexts, particularly among those interested in Aztec culture or neo-pagan traditions. The root name Quetzalcoatl means "feathered snake," while Xolotl is associated with lightning and death. Related Names The name Chimalma is distinct but shares the element chīmalli with other Nahuatl names like Chimalpopoca ("smoking shield"). The divine sons Quetzalcoatl and Xolotl are more widely recognized, but Chimalma remains a creator and maternal figure in Aztec cosmology. Meaning: "shield hand" Origin: Nahuatl (Aztec) Type: First name / Mythological name Usage: Aztec, modern revival