Welcome to Tonantzin Birth Services! As I grow to know people in the birth community, one of the first questions I get asked is “How do you pronounce your business name?” followed shortly by “What does it mean?”

The answer to the first is T oh- n ah n – s EE n (click here for audio). Tonantzin is a Nahuatl (an Aztec language) word which means “our sacred mother” and symbolizes the goddess of fertility and earth. Many people living within and outside of Mexico believe that the Virgin of Guadalupe and the ancient Aztec goddess Tonantzin are one and the same.

I chose to name my business after Tonantzin because she has always been a strong presence in my life and the culture of my people. Also, what better symbol to use than one that represents the divine feminine, fertility and earth?

Women and families who work with me do not need to share the same cultural beliefs as mine. I respect all beliefs (or non-beliefs) and simply want to provide some background information on the name.

If you would like to learn more about Tonantzin, this article gives a great historical explanation.