Quetzaltepec
/ˌkɛt.sɑːlˈtɛp.ɛk/noun
A place-name of Nahuatl origin used for locations in Mesoamerica, including a volcano and settlements.
Did you know?The quetzal was associated with brilliance, precious feathers, and elite or divine status in Mesoamerican cultures, while mountains were often imagined as spiritually powerful places and sources of life-giving water.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Columbian period
Nahuatl
quetzalli
“A precious, brilliant feather; especially a quetzal feather”
Classical Nahuatl
Nahuatl
tepetl
“Mountain or hill”
Classical Nahuatl
Nahuatl
Quetzaltepec
“Quetzal mountain, literally a place associated with quetzal feathers or quetzals”
16th Century
Spanish
Quetzaltepec
“A Nahuatl place-name recorded and adapted in Spanish colonial documents”
Modern English
English
Quetzaltepec
“A retained Mesoamerican proper name for geographic locations”
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