Itzcoatl
A Nahuatl name meaning "snake of obsidian" or "snake of stone knife".
Name Census estimates that about 6 living Americans carry the first name Itzcoatl. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Itzcoatl today is around 19 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Itzcoatl births was 2007 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Itzcoatl. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Itzcoatl. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
6
~ 1 in 57,125,723 Americans
Peak year
2007
6 babies that year
Average age
19
years old
2007 SSA rank
#11,466
Tracked since 2007
Popularity
Itzcoatl: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Itzcoatl by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Itzcoatl during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Itzcoatl
The name Itzcoatl originates from the Nahuatl language of the Aztec civilization in ancient Mexico. It dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries CE, during the height of the Aztec Empire. The name is derived from the Nahuatl words "itzcuauh" meaning obsidian and "coatl" meaning snake or serpent. Together, "Itzcoatl" translates to "Obsidian Serpent" or "Knife Snake."
This name holds significant symbolism within Aztec culture and mythology. The obsidian serpent was a revered icon, representing power, strength, and the ability to renew and regenerate. It was often associated with the Aztec deity Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god of wind, air, and learning.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Itzcoatl was in reference to Itzcoatl (circa 1380-1440), the fourth king or Tlatoani of the Aztec Triple Alliance. He reigned from 1427 to 1440 and is credited with expanding the Aztec Empire through military campaigns and strategic alliances.
Another notable figure with the name Itzcoatl was Itzcoatl Tlacahuepantzin (1403-1472), a prominent Aztec warrior and military leader who served under Tlatoani Moctezuma I. He played a crucial role in the conquest of several neighboring city-states, contributing to the growth of the Aztec Empire.
In the 16th century, during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, an indigenous ruler known as Itzcoatl Tecuanitzin (dates unknown) led the resistance against the Spanish forces in the region of Tlaxcala. His efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, but he remains a symbol of resistance and pride for the indigenous people of Mexico.
Another historical figure with the name Itzcoatl was Itzcoatl Tlamacazqui (circa 1500-1550), a prominent Aztec priest and scholar who lived during the early years of the Spanish colonial period. He played a significant role in preserving and documenting Aztec culture, religion, and traditions, providing valuable insights for future generations.
In the 20th century, Itzcoatl Ocampo (1903-1980) was a renowned Mexican artist, known for his murals and paintings that depicted indigenous themes and celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Mexico. His works are displayed in various museums and public spaces throughout the country.
The name Itzcoatl, with its deep roots in Aztec culture and mythology, continues to be used in various parts of Mexico and among individuals of Mexican descent. It serves as a reminder of the rich history and symbolism associated with the Aztec civilization and the enduring legacy of indigenous cultures in the Americas.
People
Itzcoatl + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Itzcoatl as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with I
Other first names starting with I with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Itzcoatl: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Itzcoatl?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 6 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Itzcoatl going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 57,125,723 US residents.
Is Itzcoatl a common name?
We classify Itzcoatl as "Very Rare". It ranks above 22.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 6 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Itzcoatl most popular?
The single biggest year for Itzcoatl was 2007, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Itzcoatl is about 19 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Itzcoatl in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Itzcoatl a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Itzcoatl in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Itzcoatl still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Itzcoatl in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Itzcoatl can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have the name Itzcoatl?
HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, answers that with the living-bearer count in one glance.