Oaxaca
/waˈxaka/noun
A state in southern Mexico, and its capital city, known for its Indigenous cultures and rich regional history.
Did you know?The name Oaxaca comes from the Nahuatl place-name Huāxyacac, meaning the place of the guaje trees, with yacatl meaning “nose” or “point,” referring to a pointed hill or prominence.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Columbian
Nahuatl
Huāxyacac
“Place on the point of the guaje trees / at the guaje-tree point”
16th Century
Spanish
Oajaca
“Early Spanish spelling of the place-name”
Colonial Spanish
Spanish
Oaxaca
“Standardized Spanish form of the toponym”
Modern English
English
Oaxaca
“The Mexican state and city name used in English”