Cuauhtemoc (also spelled Cuauhtémoc) is a Nahuatl masculine given name meaning "descending eagle" (from cuāuhtli "eagle" and temo "descend"), evoking a raptor diving toward its prey. This was the name of the last Aztec emperor, who ruled Tenochtitlan from 1520 to 1521 until his capture and execution by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1525. Etymology and Pronunciation The name derives from Classical Nahuatl Cuauhtēmoc [kʷaːʍˈtemoːk], meaning "one who has descended like an eagle." The root elements are cuāuhtli ("eagle") and temo ("to descend"). The Spanish adaptation is Cuauhtémoc, pronounced [kwawˈtemok]. The name is also recorded in colonial sources as Cuauhtemotzín, Guatimozín, or Guatémoc. Historical Bearer: Emperor Cuauhtémoc Cuauhtémoc (c. 1497–1525) was the tlatoani (ruler) of Tenochtitlan and the last independent Aztec emperor. He took power in 1520 as successor of Cuitláhuac and was a cousin of the previous emperor Moctezuma II. His young wife, later known as Isabel Moctezuma, was one of Moctezuma's daughters. At the time of his ascension—around age 25—Tenochtitlan was already besieged by Spanish forces under Hernán Cortés and devastated by a smallpox epidemic that had decimated the indigenous population. Despite the overwhelming odds, Cuauhtémoc led a fierce defense of the city, which fell on August 13, 1521 after months of fighting. He was captured while attempting to flee across Lake Texcoco. According to traditional accounts, after his capture, Cuauhtémoc was tortured by the Spanish to reveal the location of Aztec gold. He endured with stoicism, famously quipping that he was not on a bed of roses. In 1525, during Cortés's expedition to Honduras, Cuauhtémoc was executed by hanging, allegedly for conspiring against the Spanish. Cultural Significance In modern Mexico, Cuauhtémoc is venerated as a symbol of indigenous resistance and national pride. The name appears widely in Mexican toponymy—streets, municipalities, and neighborhoods—as well as in statuary. The town of Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, and the Cuauhtémoc borough of Mexico City are notable examples. The last Aztec emperor is a figure in numerous works of art, literature, and film. Related and Variant Forms The original Nahuatl form is Cuauhtemoc; the most common Spanish-language equivalent is Cuauhtémoc, which is the standard spelling in modern official usage. Archaic colonial spellings include Guatémoc and Guatimozín. Key Facts Meaning: “Descending eagle” Origin: Nahuatl (cuāuhtli “eagle” + temo “descend”) Type: First name Usage Regions: Mexico, especially among people with indigenous heritage Notable Bearer: Cuauhtémoc, last Aztec emperor (ruled 1520–1521)