'Quetzaltenango is derived from Mexica languages and means “the place where quetzals abound” or “under the wall of the quetzal.” This is because, upon entering Quahtemallan (Guatemala), the Aztecs didn’t know the names of the towns, and when they were asked about them by the Spanish, they came up with them based on what they saw most in a given area. The quetzal was abundant in Xelajuj, and tenango means “the land where there is a lot of…” In this manner, they went on naming places throughout Guatemala, including Huehuetenango, Jacaltenango, Jocotenango, Chichicastenango, Mazatenango, etc.'
'Quetzaltenango is derived from Mexica languages and means “the place where quetzals abound” or “under the wall of the quetzal.” This is because, upon entering Quahtemallan (Guatemala), the Aztecs didn’t know the names of the towns, and when they were asked about them by the Spanish, they came up with them based on what they saw most in a given area. The quetzal was abundant in Xelajuj, and tenango means “the land where there is a lot of…” In this manner, they went on naming places throughout Guatemala, including Huehuetenango, Jacaltenango, Jocotenango, Chichicastenango, Mazatenango, etc.'