Find out how popular the first name Mictlan has been for the last 1 years (from 2023 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mictlan by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Mictlan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Mictlan.

The history of the first name Mictlan

Mictlan is a name with origins in the Nahuatl language of the Aztec civilization in ancient Mexico. The name is derived from the Nahuatl word "mictlampa," which translates to "the place of the dead" or "the underworld." It was the name given to the lowest and most significant of the nine levels of the afterlife in Aztec mythology.

The name Mictlan is closely tied to the Aztec beliefs about the underworld and the journey of the souls after death. It was believed that the souls of those who died from natural causes, such as old age or illness, would travel to Mictlan, a dark and dreary place ruled by the Lord and Lady of the Dead, Mictlantecuhtli and Mictecacihuatl.

Mictlan is mentioned extensively in various Aztec codices and historical texts, such as the Codex Borgia and the Florentine Codex, which provide detailed descriptions of the Aztec cosmology and religious beliefs. These ancient texts depict Mictlan as a treacherous and challenging realm that the souls had to navigate before reaching their final resting place.

While Mictlan was not typically used as a personal name among the Aztecs, it has been recorded in various historical accounts and records of individuals who played significant roles in the Aztec society. One notable figure was Mictlan Cuauhtli, a renowned Aztec warrior and military leader who lived in the 15th century and played a crucial role in the expansion of the Aztec Empire.

Another figure associated with the name Mictlan was Mictlan Tonatiuh, an Aztec astronomer and mathematician who lived in the late 15th century. He is credited with developing a complex calendar system and contributing to the advancement of Aztec astronomy and timekeeping.

In more recent times, the name Mictlan has been used sparingly as a given name, often serving as a tribute to the rich cultural heritage of the Aztec civilization. One such individual was Mictlan Villar, a Mexican writer and poet born in 1928, who explored themes of death and the afterlife in his works.

Additionally, Mictlan Huitzil, a Mexican artist born in 1947, gained recognition for his intricate and symbolic paintings that drew heavily from Aztec mythology and cosmology, including depictions of the underworld realm of Mictlan.

While not a commonly used name today, Mictlan holds significant cultural and historical significance, serving as a reminder of the deep-rooted beliefs and traditions of the Aztec civilization and their intricate understanding of the afterlife and the journey of the soul.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Mictlan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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