The name Aztec is derived from Aztlán, a significant place in their history that alludes to their origins, likely in northwestern Mexico.
Specifically, the term Aztlán has been interpreted in several ways:
- White Land
- Land of White Herons
- Place of Herons
This connection to Aztlán highlights the ancestral roots and mythical homeland of the people who later became known as Aztecs, reflecting their beginnings before they established their grand empire in the Valley of Mexico. The name itself, therefore, serves as a direct reference to their point of origin and the symbolism associated with it, such as purity (white land) or the presence of specific wildlife (herons).
