Moctezuma is a historical name of Aztec origin, derived from the Nahuatl language. It consists of two elements: 'Mocte' which means "lame" and 'tezuma' meaning "rabbit". Thus, Moctezuma translates to "he who walks like a rabbit", likely a reference to the animal's agility despite its seemingly clumsy appearance when viewed from above.
The name is famously associated with Moctezuma II (1466-1520), the eleventh Aztec ruler of Tenochtitlan, the powerful empire located on an island in Lake Texcoco. He ascended to the throne in 1502 and ruled until his capture by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1520.
Prior to European contact, Moctezuma II had already centralized power and expanded Aztec territories. However, his reign was marked by Spanish conquest and the eventual fall of the Aztec empire. According to historical accounts, he initially greeted Cortés and his soldiers with hospitality but later feared they were hostile invaders sent by the god Quetzalcoatl. Despite his initial attempts to resist, Moctezuma II ultimately surrendered and was taken captive in 1520.
The name Moctezuma has since become synonymous with the Aztec empire and its tragic fate at the hands of European colonizers. It is a reminder of the complex history of cultural exchange, conquest, and resilience that characterized the encounter between the Americas and Europe during this period.
Between 1993 and 1999, the name Moctezuma was given to a total of 17 babies, with peaks of popularity in 1997 and 1999 when it was chosen six times each year. In 1993, there were five babies named Moctezuma.