Find out how popular the first name Tonantzin has been for the last 46 years (from 1978 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tonantzin by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Tonantzin is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Tonantzin.

The history of the first name Tonantzin

The name Tonantzin originates from the Nahuatl language spoken by the Aztecs and other Nahua peoples of central Mexico. It dates back to the pre-Columbian era, before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. Tonantzin is derived from the Nahuatl words "tonantzi" meaning "our revered mother" and "in" which is a reverential suffix.

Tonantzin was the name of a maternal deity worshipped by the Aztecs and other Mesoamerican cultures. She was a mother goddess associated with fertility, childbirth, and the earth. The Spaniards later linked Tonantzin with the Virgin Mary, leading to the syncretism of indigenous and Christian beliefs that became common throughout colonial-era Mexico.

One of the earliest known references to the name Tonantzin comes from the Codex Borbonicus, an Aztec codex from the mid-16th century that depicts the goddess Tonantzin. The name also appears in the Florentine Codex, a 16th-century ethnographic work written by the Franciscan friar Bernardino de Sahagún, which describes Aztec culture and religion.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Tonantzin. One of the earliest was Tonantzin Guadalupe, a 17th-century Indigenous woman from Mexico who was believed to be the first person to witness the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe in 1531.

Another notable Tonantzin was Tonantzin Tlacaelel (c. 1397-1487), a powerful Aztec ruler and military strategist who served as the principal adviser to the emperor Moctezuma I. She is credited with helping to expand the Aztec Empire and consolidating its power in the Valley of Mexico.

In the 20th century, Tonantzin Gutiérrez (1917-2008) was a Mexican artist and activist known for her paintings and murals depicting Indigenous themes and advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples in Mexico.

Tonantzin Rodríguez (born 1964) is a contemporary Mexican writer and journalist who has published several novels and short story collections exploring themes of identity, gender, and Mexican culture.

Finally, Tonantzin Yerachmiel (born 1972) is a Mexican-American artist and educator who works with various media, including painting, sculpture, and installations, often drawing inspiration from her Indigenous and Jewish 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 Tonantzin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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