Rising since 2000, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Tonatiuh since 1993
Babies named Tonatiuh per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 48 |
| 2000s | 105 |
| 2010s | 112 |
| 2020s | 46 |
Meaning & origin
Tonatiuh, a name drawn from Aztec mythology, remains an extremely rare choice in the United States. First recorded in 1993, it peaked in 2011 but has seen a gradual rise since 2000. As of 2025, it ranks 9,714th with a 1-in-244,011 frequency, placing it well outside the top 1,000. While not associated with any particular U.S. state, the name carries deep cultural significance for families of Mexican or indigenous heritage, representing a connection to pre-Columbian traditions and the natural force of the sun.
Tonatiuh is derived from the Classical Nahuatl word 'tona' meaning 'to make heat' or 'to shine,' combined with the agentive suffix '-tiuh.' In Aztec mythology, Tonatiuh was the sun god who required human sacrifice to continue his journey across the sky. The name has been used occasionally in Mexico and among Mexican-American communities since the late 20th century, reflecting a revival of indigenous cultural heritage.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tona, Tonati
Sibling names for Tonatiuh
Names that share Tonatiuh's style, for a brother or sister.
