Declining since 2021.
Popularity of Quetzal since 2001
Babies named Quetzal per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2006, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Quetzal's real moment was 2021.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 26 | 35 |
| 2010s | 44 | 20 |
| 2020s | 19 | 14 |
Meaning & origin
Quetzal is a rare and distinctive modern name first recorded in the United States in 2004. Its usage peaked in 2021, with births gradually declining since then, placing it in a falling trajectory as of 2025. The name is unisex but leans slightly masculine in recent counts. While it has never ranked in the top 1000, the name's connection to the resplendent quetzal bird and the Aztec deity Quetzalcoatl gives it a rich cultural resonance. It is most often chosen by families with an interest in Mesoamerican heritage or nature-inspired names. The name's recent emergence and low frequency make it a highly distinctive choice.
Quetzal derives from the Nahuatl word 'quetzalli,' meaning 'large brilliant tail feather' or 'precious feather.' It is most commonly associated with the resplendent quetzal bird, native to Central America, which was sacred to ancient Mesoamerican cultures. The name also references Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent deity of Aztec and other Mesoamerican mythologies, though the bird's name is the more direct source for modern usage.
Sibling names for Quetzal
Names that share Quetzal's style, for a brother or sister.
