Nahuatl Words: the most common spelling has been listed, please be aware that you may find other spellings.  For example, Mexica, Mexicha, Mexika etc. 

Aztlan (Azt-LAN) the mythical homeland from where the Mexica began their migration.

Cemanahuac (cem-a-NA-huac) also Anahuac, "Land surrounded by water," the terrestrial level of the cosmos in which the Aztecs lived.

chinampa (chi-NAM-pa) a highly productive agricultural system developed in the lake region based on intensive cultivation of long, rectangular gardens made from reclaimed swampland.

Cuauhtemoc (cuauh-TE-moc) "Divine eagle" the last of the Aztec tlatoani, who surrendered Tlatelolco to Cortez in 1521.

huehuetl (HUE-hue-tl) a large vertical wooden drum.

Hutzilopochtli hummingbird on the left or hummingbird of the south, god of the sun and of war and patron diety of the Mexica.

maguey (MA-guey) An important plant similar to aloe from which paper, needles, clothing, and a ritualdrink called pulque are made.

mestizo (mes-TI-zo) a person of mixed Indian and European ancestry.

Mexica (me-Xi-ca) An ethnic group who after a great migration from the north (Utah), settled in the lake region at Tenochitlan and Tlateloco and came to dominate the Triple Alliance, or Aztec empire.

Netzahyalcoyotl (net-za-hual-Co-yo-tl) The Fasting Coyote, poet philosopher of Texcoco.

Quetzalcoatl (quet-zal-CO-a-tl) "Feathered Serpent" important pan-Mesoamerican deity with complex symbolism.

Tlaloc (TLA-loc) "He Who Makes the Plants Spring UP," an important rain and fertility deity.

tlatoani (tla-to-AN-I) or tlatoque (tla-to-que) "Chief speaker," the supreme ruler.

Tenochtitlan (te-noch-TIT-lan) The capital city of the Triple Alliance founded by the Mexica around 1325, located on an island in the lake system of the Basin of Mexico.

Teotihuacan (te-o-ti-HUA-can) "The City of the Gods" an important archaeological site and ceremonial center that flourished from 150 B.C.E. to 750 C.E.

teponaztli (te-po-NAZT-li) a small horizontal drum.

Tlaxcala (tlax-Ca-la) The polity that resisted conquest by the Aztecs and allied with the Spaniards to conquer the Aztecs in 1521.

Toltec (TOL-tec) a civilization that flourished in Central Mexico from 950 to 1150 from whom the Mexica claimed legitimacy and ancestral ties.

Tonantzin (to-Nant-zin) "Our Venerable Mother," a mother goddess.

Xipe Totec (XI-pe To-tec) "Our Lord the Flayed One," a deity closely related to human sacrifice.

Xiuhtecuhtli, god of fire.