Meztli

Meztli is a variant spelling of Metztli, the Nahuatl word for “moon.” In Aztec mythology, Metztli (also rendered Meztli or Metzi) was a deity of the moon, the night, and farmers. The moon god or goddess was an important figure in the Aztec pantheon, often associated with the cycles of agriculture and the nighttime sky.

The name Metztli itself derives from the Nahuatl language, the tongue of the Aztec (Mexica) civilization and still spoken by over a million people in Mexico today. In the Nahuatl worldview, the moon played a central role in calendars and rituals, and Metztli was sometimes conceived as a male or female deity depending on the regional tradition. Variants like Meztli are common, as the spelling of Nahuatl words adapted to Spanish orthography during colonial times.

In modern usage, Meztli is occasionally used as a given name, symbolizing a connection to indigenous heritage, nature, and celestial themes. It remains relatively rare outside of Mexico but appeals to those seeking names with deep historical and mythological resonance.

Notable Bearers

While no widely known figures bear the name Meztli, the mythological significance of Metztli has inspired modern cultural references, including literature and the arts that draw on Aztec iconography.

• Meaning: “moon”
• Origin: Nahuatl
• Type: Given name
• Usage regions: Nahuatl-speaking communities, Mexico
• Related: Metztli (standard form), Variant: Meztli