Itzcoatl is a Nahuatl name meaning "obsidian snake" or "obsidian serpent," from the elements itztli "obsidian" and cōātl "snake." The name is most famously borne by Itzcoatl (c. 1380–1440), the fourth king of Tenochtitlan and the founder of the Aztec Empire. He ruled from 1427 to 1440 and was instrumental in throwing off the domination of the Tepanecs and establishing the Triple Alliance with Texcoco and Tlacopan, which became the Aztec Empire. Itzcoatl was the natural son of the first tlàtoāni of Tenochtitlan, Acamapichtli, and an unknown Tepanec woman. After his nephew Chimalpopoca was killed by Maxtla of Azcapotzalco, Itzcoatl was elected ruler and, allied with Nezahualcoyotl of Texcoco, defeated the Tepanecs.Cultural SignificanceIn Aztec culture, the obsidian snake motif may have symbolized both the sharpness and lethality of obsidian (used for weapons and ritual blades) and the serpent, a powerful creature often associated with the earth, fertility, or the god Quetzalcōātl. The name thus carries connotations of power, death, and the natural world. Itzcoatl's reign marked a turning point in Mesoamerican history, as he initiated the destruction of old historical codices and wrote a new official history that elevated the Mexica as the chosen people, cementing his legacy as a key figure in the Aztec Empire's expansion and ideology.Notable BearersAside from the emperor, the name Itzcoatl appears less commonly in Nahuatl naming traditions and in modern revivalist contexts. Nevertheless, the historical Itzcoatl remains a celebrated and studied figure in the history of the Aztecs.Meaning: "Obsidian snake"Origin: NahuatlType: First nameUsage: Primarily among Nahuatl-speaking peoples in the pre-Columbian period