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The Name Nayeli
Q: Someone told me that you are able to tell me the
exact meanings of Indian native names. I checked
several web pages and found the name NAYELI
which should mean "I love you" in Zapotec. Is this true?
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A: Not exactly. "Nayeli" means "open" in Zapotec, as in "the window is open."
This is probably a conflation of two different Mexican names. In the Yaqui language (a Uto-Aztecan language of northern
Mexico and Arizona), "Naiyoli" means "precious" or "cherished." That is pronounced nye-o-lee and is probably the true source
of the name Nayeli.
The word "nadxieelii" (pronounced nah-jee-ay-lee,) on the other hand, does mean "I love you" in Zapotec (a language of
southern Mexico,) and is the source of the Mexican name Nachieli, which some baby name sites may have confused with Naiyoli.
Hope that helps!
Native Languages of the Americas
Related Links
Native American names for girls
Zapotec language
Yaqui language
Aztecan language
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