Find out how popular the first name Quetzally has been for the last 21 years (from 2003 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Quetzally by gender

Based on the last 21 years of data, Quetzally is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 8 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Quetzally.

The history of the first name Quetzally

The name Quetzally has its origins in the Nahuatl language, spoken by the Aztecs and various other indigenous groups in central Mexico. It derives from the Nahuatl word "quetzalli," which refers to the beautiful, iridescent feathers of the resplendent quetzal bird, revered as sacred by the Aztecs and other Mesoamerican civilizations.

In Aztec mythology, the quetzal feathers were associated with the god Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent deity who represented wind, air, and learning. The feathers were highly prized and reserved for the nobility and religious ceremonies. As such, the name Quetzally likely originated as a name for Aztec nobility or those associated with the priesthood or religious rituals involving the quetzal bird.

The earliest recorded use of the name Quetzally is difficult to pinpoint precisely, as written records from the Aztec period are scarce. However, it is believed to have been in use as a personal name among the Aztecs and neighboring cultures for centuries before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.

One of the earliest known historical figures with the name Quetzally was a Nahua noblewoman who lived in the early 16th century. She was the daughter of the ruler of Texcoco, a prominent city-state in the Aztec Empire. Her full name was Quetzally Tzihuacpol, and she played a pivotal role in the Spanish conquest of Mexico as an interpreter and advisor to Hernán Cortés.

Another notable historical figure named Quetzally was Quetzally Quintanilla, a Mexican artist, and activist who lived from 1889 to 1973. She was a prominent figure in the Mexican muralist movement and advocated for the rights of indigenous communities and the preservation of their cultural heritage.

In the 20th century, Quetzally Blanco was a Mexican politician and diplomat who served as the ambassador of Mexico to several countries, including the United States and Canada, between the 1960s and 1980s.

The name Quetzally has also been used by notable writers and artists, such as Quetzally Ramirez, a Guatemalan poet and author born in 1956, and Quetzally Alvarado, a Mexican painter and sculptor born in 1952.

While less common outside of Mexico and Central America, the name Quetzally has been adopted by some families of Mexican or indigenous descent in other parts of the Americas, reflecting the cultural and historical significance of the quetzal bird and the Aztec heritage.

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 Quetzally was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Quetzally, please contact us.

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