Fun Facts About the Name Cuauhtemoc
- More than 1 thousand babies named Cuauhtemoc: U.S. records list 1,239 babies given the name Cuauhtemoc from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Cuauhtemoc Mean?
Cuauhtémoc is a Nahuatl name usually translated as "descending eagle." It is built from cuāuhtli, "eagle," and a form related to temō, "to descend"; temōc can be read as "descended" or "has come down." The conventional English meaning, "descending eagle," is a compact rendering of the phrase "the eagle has descended." Some English sources give "falling eagle" or "swooping eagle," but these are looser images rather than a different etymology.
Cuauhtemoc Name History & Origins
The name is known chiefly through Cuauhtémoc (c. 1495 - 1525), the last Mexica ruler of Tenochtitlan. He became huey tlatoani in 1520 after Cuitláhuac died and led the city's defense against Hernán Cortés's forces. He was captured in 1521, and Cortés had him executed in 1525 during an expedition to Honduras.
Early Spanish chronicles wrote the name in forms such as Quauhtemoc and Guatemoc; the modern Spanish spelling Cuauhtémoc uses an acute accent to mark the stressed syllable. The name belongs to the Nahuatl naming tradition, and its association with the last ruler made it a recurring symbol of Indigenous resistance in Mexican historical memory. It remains in use as a masculine given name in Mexico and appears in place names, including the Cuauhtémoc borough of Mexico City.
How Popular is the Name Cuauhtemoc?
Cuauhtemoc has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2007. Its best rank was #2,170 in 1980.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #6,887 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2024 | #6,509 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2023 | #4,246 | 25 | 0.0015% |
| 2022 | #6,556 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2021 | #4,963 | 19 | 0.0011% |
| 2020 | #4,566 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 2019 | #4,832 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2018 | #6,777 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2017 | #5,856 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2016 | #5,840 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2015 | #5,559 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2014 | #5,779 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2013 | #5,213 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2012 | #4,156 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 2011 | #3,620 | 29 | 0.0015% |
| 2010 | #3,385 | 32 | 0.0017% |
| 2009 | #3,058 | 38 | 0.0019% |
| 2008 | #3,063 | 38 | 0.0019% |
| 2007 | #2,615 | 47 | 0.0023% |
| 2006 | #2,705 | 43 | 0.0021% |
| 2005 | #2,627 | 42 | 0.0021% |
| 2004 | #2,707 | 39 | 0.0020% |
| 2003 | #2,483 | 42 | 0.0021% |
| 2002 | #2,344 | 44 | 0.0023% |
| 2001 | #2,696 | 35 | 0.0018% |
| 2000 | #2,537 | 37 | 0.0019% |
| 1999 | #2,738 | 31 | 0.0016% |
| 1998 | #2,799 | 29 | 0.0015% |
| 1997 | #2,506 | 32 | 0.0017% |
| 1996 | #2,766 | 27 | 0.0014% |
| 1995 | #2,700 | 27 | 0.0014% |
| 1994 | #2,865 | 25 | 0.0013% |
| 1993 | #3,269 | 20 | 0.0010% |
| 1992 | #3,954 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1991 | #2,698 | 25 | 0.0012% |
| 1990 | #3,489 | 17 | 0.0008% |
| 1989 | #4,070 | 13 | 0.0006% |
| 1988 | #6,583 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1987 | #4,017 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1986 | #4,190 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1985 | #3,846 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1984 | #3,302 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1983 | #4,588 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1982 | #4,674 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1981 | #3,459 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1980 | #2,170 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 1979 | #3,612 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1978 | #3,652 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1977 | #3,431 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 1976 | #2,851 | 14 | 0.0009% |
| 1975 | #2,463 | 17 | 0.0011% |
| 1974 | #2,482 | 16 | 0.0010% |
| 1973 | #2,245 | 18 | 0.0012% |
| 1972 | #2,849 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1971 | #3,414 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1970 | #3,111 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1969 | #3,664 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1967 | #3,633 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1964 | #3,091 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1961 | #4,190 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1960 | #4,148 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1957 | #3,069 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1949 | #3,797 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Cuauhtemoc Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are cheerful and friendly, but are apt to have an emotional life. You like to have several lines of effort going at once. You are a good talker and promoter and seldom worry over anything. At times, you can be impatient, and impulsive. You have the ability to bring an idea to completion. You can express yourself joyously and constructively. You might be psychic, but not know it. Emergencies may raise your intuitive abilities in order to resolve conflict or situation. You become very creative under the pressure, and have quite original ideas to make the best out of it.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Cuauhtemoc's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Cuauhtemoc's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.