Quetzali
A feminine name of Nahuatl origin referring to a green bird.
Name Census estimates that about 406 living Americans carry the first name Quetzali. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Quetzali today is around 12 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Quetzali births was 2024 (45 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Quetzali. 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.
People living today
406
~ 1 in 844,223 Americans
Peak year
2024
45 babies that year
Average age
12
years old
2024 SSA rank
#3,478
Tracked since 1996
Popularity
Quetzali: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Quetzali from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 137 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Quetzali 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 Quetzali during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Quetzalis live
The SSA's state-level files cover 3 states and territories. California, Illinois, Texas recorded the most babies named Quetzali, while Texas, Illinois, California recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 54 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Quetzali
The name Quetzali originated from the Nahuatl language, spoken by the Aztecs and other indigenous peoples of Mexico and Central America. It is derived from the Nahuatl word "quetzalli," which means "precious feather" or "beautiful feather." The quetzal bird, with its vibrant green plumage and long, striking tail feathers, was revered by the Aztecs and considered sacred.
In Aztec mythology, Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, was one of the most important deities. He was the god of wind, air, and learning, and his name incorporates the word "quetzalli." The name Quetzali, therefore, carries a deep connection to Aztec culture, symbolizing beauty, reverence, and the natural world.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Quetzali can be found in the "Codex Mendoza," a 16th-century Aztec codex that contains a detailed account of Aztec life, including names of individuals. While specific dates are not provided, the codex offers a glimpse into the use of the name during the Aztec civilization.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Quetzali. One example is Quetzali Blanca (1771-1803), a Zapotec princess and rebel leader who fought against Spanish colonialism in Oaxaca, Mexico. Another is Quetzali Itzcuintli (1906-1991), a Mexican painter and muralist known for her vibrant and symbolic works depicting indigenous themes.
In the realm of literature, Quetzali Castillo (born 1950) is a renowned Guatemalan poet and author whose works explore themes of identity, indigenous culture, and social justice. Additionally, Quetzali Aguilar (born 1972) is a Mexican actress and singer who has appeared in numerous telenovelas and films.
Quetzali Mendoza (born 1970) is a notable Mexican-American artist and activist, known for her work promoting cultural awareness and environmental conservation. Her art often incorporates elements from Aztec and indigenous traditions, reflecting the rich heritage associated with the name Quetzali.
The name Quetzali remains popular in various Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico and Guatemala, where it is deeply rooted in indigenous culture and history. Its enduring use serves as a testament to the enduring cultural significance of the Aztec civilization and the reverence for the natural world embodied by the quetzal bird.
People
Quetzali + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Quetzali as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Q
Other first names starting with Q with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Quetzali: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Quetzali?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 406 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Quetzali 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 844,223 US residents.
Is Quetzali a common name?
We classify Quetzali as "Very Rare". It ranks above 82.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 410 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Quetzali most popular?
The single biggest year for Quetzali was 2024, when 45 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Quetzali is about 12 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Quetzali a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Quetzali in the SSA data are female. 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.
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.