Origin: Nahuatl
Meaning: “star”
Gender: Feminine
(seet-LAH-lee)
Citlali is a Hispanicized form of the Nahuatl, citalli (star). The name was popularized in Mexico by a 1922 opera by Manuel M. Bermejo and José F. Vásquez of the same name.
The double L spelling is more accurate but since this creates a “Y” sound in Spanish, it is often rendered Citlali. The name is also sometimes spelled Xitlali, however the X in Nahuatl represents a “sh” sound and this is thus an inaccurate translation of the word.
Citlali appeared in the U.S. Top 1000 between 2001 and 2006 and peaked at #915 in 2005, whereas Citlalli appeared between 1999 and 2001 and peaked at #609 in 2001.
Other forms include:
- Citlalin
- Citlalí
Sources