What Itzel means
Itzel is a girl name of Maya origin meaning "rainbow lady". It comes from often derived from the goddess name Ix Chel (ix (lady) + chel (rainbow)); the popular gloss 'evening star' or 'morning star' is unsupported. It is pronounced eet-SEL.
The most popular Maya name in Mexico, top-20 for girls through the 2000s and 2010s. Etymology uncertain: most likely a Spanish-era reshaping of Ixchel; the 'lucero de la tarde' gloss on name sites is folk etymology.
About this meaning. The etymology is uncertain or disputed. The reading above is the best-supported one; popular baby-name sites often give a more romantic gloss that the dictionaries do not confirm.
Spellings and variants: Itzel, Itzell, Ixel.
Popularity: among the top names for newborns in Mexico. See the current top names.
Related meanings: star, light, beauty.
Itzel is one of the indigenous names that Mexican parents have brought back over the last thirty years. Read about Maya names and how they are built, or see more Maya girl names.
