Teotihuacan
/te.oː.tiˈwaː.kan/noun
An ancient Mesoamerican city and archaeological site northeast of modern Mexico City, famed for its monumental pyramids.
Did you know?The city’s original name is unknown; “Teotihuacan” is a later Nahuatl name used by the Aztecs, who encountered the abandoned metropolis long after its collapse.
Etymological Timeline
Before the 7th century CE
Unknown
Unknown
“The city’s original name in the language of its builders has not been securely identified.”
Postclassic period
Nahuatl
teōtihuācan
“A place associated with becoming a god; the name given to the abandoned ancient city by Nahuatl speakers.”
Postclassic period
Classical Nahuatl
teōtl
“God, deity, or sacred supernatural power.”
Postclassic period
Classical Nahuatl
-tihua-
“A verbal element associated with becoming or acquiring a state.”
Postclassic period
Classical Nahuatl
-cān
“A locative suffix meaning place of or where something occurs.”
16th century
Spanish
Teotihuacan
“Spanish transcription of the Nahuatl name for the ancient city.”
Modern English
English
Teotihuacan
“The conventional English name for the archaeological site and ancient Mesoamerican city.”
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