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Quetzalcoatl

ket-sahl-koh-AH-tl /ketsalˈkoːaːtɬ/ Nahuatl

At a glance

In short
Quetzalcoatl is a Nahuatl name meaning feathered serpent, associated with wisdom and learning, symbolizing the union of earth and sky.
U.S. rank 2025
Not in the 2025 data · last seen 2022 (#12,330)
Babies in 2022
5 (<0.01% of boys)
Peak
#9,912 in 1999
First recorded
1999

Meaning of Quetzalcoatl

Quetzalcoatl is a unique and culturally rich name of Nahuatl origin, traditionally pronounced as ket-sahl-koh-AH-tl. In Nahuatl mythology, Quetzalcoatl is one of the most significant deities, often depicted as a feathered serpent and associated with wisdom, wind, and learning. The name itself combines "quetzal," a vibrant bird native to Central America, and "coatl," meaning serpent, symbolizing the union of earth and sky. Though rare in the United States, with only a few occurrences over the years (notably 5 in both 1999 and 2022), it holds a profound historical significance that appeals to those seeking a name imbued with ancient heritage and deep cultural roots. Variations like Quetzalli also offer a slightly different take while retaining the essence of this storied name.

How to pronounce Quetzalcoatl

Nahuatl

  • Pronounced ket-sahl-koh-AH-tl /ketsalˈkoːaːtɬ/

Popularity of Quetzalcoatl in the U.S.

Quetzalcoatl was last recorded in the U.S. in 2022, ranked #12,330 with 5 babies. It peaked at #9,912 in 1999. It first appears in the records in 1999.

Bar and line chart: Quetzalcoatl in the U.S., 1999–2022. Bars: boys given the name each year, most 5 in 1999 and 5 in 2022. Line: rank among boy names, peak #9,912 in 1999, #12,330 in 2022.
  • Boys named Quetzalcoatl (left scale)
  • Rank among U.S. boy names (right scale, #1 at the top)
By year, 1999–2022. Source: SSA. Download: PNG · SVG
Year-by-year table, 1999⁠–⁠2022 3 rows
Quetzalcoatl: babies and rank among boy names in the U.S. by year
YearBabiesRankvs previous year
2022512,330back (not recorded in 2001–2021)
2000510,349▼ 437
199959,912new