Name Date
How Mexico Got Its Name By Jane Runyon
The country of Mexico has not always been called Mexico. When the Spanish conquered the area that is now Mexico, the area was larger. The Spanish claimed land from what is now the United States to the north. The border to the south took in most of Central America. This land was called the Viceroyalty of New Spain or Nueva Espana. The natives of the country have long called it Mexico, however.
The country of Mexico was named after its capital city, Mexico City. During the time of the Aztecs, their capital city was Mexico-Tenochtitlan. Today's capital city was built on top of the ruins of the Aztec capital. When the Spanish conquered the Aztecs, they destroyed the city. They then rebuilt it to resemble a Spanish city.
There are several stories about the origin of the name Mexico. Part of the word, mexi, is thought to be the name of a war god of the Aztecs, Mexitli. This god got his name from the word metztli, which meant moon, and xictli, which meant navel. It is thought that by putting these two words together, the meaning changed to "child of the moon."
Others think the name of a goddess named Mectli was used. Mectli translates to "maguey grandmother." The maguey is a plant that has been very valuable to the people of Mexico. Parts of the plant can be used for weaving, making brushes, soap, furniture, toys, ornaments, food, paper, medicine, and even firewood. A liquid can be gathered from inside the plant which ferments into a drink sometimes called "honey water." Many people compare this drink to beer in other parts of the world. It is no wonder the maguey plant is sometimes called "The Tree of Wonders."
The letters "co" mean place. When "co" is added to the letters "mexi" it easily translates into "the place of the children of the moon" or "the place of the people of Mectli." Some people add that the Mectli people settled near the nopal cactus. This follows the myth that the Mexica people were told to settle in the place where an eagle with a snake in its mouth sits on a nopal cactus. That is the story behind the founding of Mexico City. That eagle can be seen on the modern flag of Mexico, still holding the snake in its beak.
The Spanish used their own pronunciation of the word Mexico. They gave the "x" a softer sound much like an "h" sound. They even changed the spelling to "mejico" in some areas to match the Spanish spelling of the "x" sound. When Mexico was able to win its independence from Spain, it became a matter of pride to the Mexicans that they retain the "x" in the word and use a true "ex" sound in pronouncing it.
It is not uncommon to find the word Mexico pronounced in at least two different ways, even today. Those who can trace their ancestry to Spain are still prone to use the Me-hee-ko pronunciation, while those of Aztec or Mayan descent tend to say Meks-i-ko. However you pronounce it and whichever meaning you choose, the name Mexico is steeped in history and tradition.
How Mexico Got Its Name Questions
1. The country of Mexico was once a viceroyalty. A. False B. True Name Date
2. Which is the maguey plant NOT used for? A. Building a home B. Drink C. Furniture D. Food 3. Where was the capital city of Mexico built? A. Near the United States border B. In the center of the country C. On the ruins of the Aztec capital D. On a mountaintop 4. What sign did the Aztecs use to know where to build their capital?
5. Why is the maguey called the "Tree of Wonders"?
6. Who was the Aztec god of the moon? A. Metizi B. Metzli C. Myrtle D. Mexica 7. What is one of the accepted meanings for the word Mexico? A. Land of the moon B. Place where the Aztec people go C. Place of the children of the moon D. Land of maguey lovers 8. What do the letters "co" mean when added to a Spanish word? A. Place B. Land C. People D. Time Name Date
If you had the chance to name a city or country, what name would you choose? Why?
How are cities and countries named? Who decides what the name should be?