New Mexican
/njuː ˈmɛksɪkən/
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The name New Mexico is derived from the country of Mexico, which itself comes from the Nahuatl word Mēxihco, the Aztec capital (now Mexico City). Spanish explorers in the 16th century named the region north of the Rio Grande "Nuevo México" after the rich lands of the Mexica (Aztecs), hoping to find similar wealth.
The term Mexico in Nahuatl likely means "place of the Mexica" or "place at the center of the Moon's lake" (from metztli = moon, xictli = navel/center, -co = place). The Spanish colonial province of Nuevo México was established in 1598, making it one of the oldest European place names in the U.S.
New Mexico became the 47th state on January 6, 1912. The demonym New Mexican follows the English pattern of adding -an or -en to the place name.
Numerous individuals with ties to this area have shaped culture, politics, and society.
Sun Prairie, WI (Lived in NM)
Renowned artist known for her paintings of enlarged flowers and New Mexico landscapes.
Albuquerque, NM
Founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, one of the world's wealthiest individuals.
Seattle, WA (Founded Microsoft in NM)
Co-founder of Microsoft; founded the company in Albuquerque in 1975.
Gila River, NM
Prominent leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Apache people.
Roswell, NM
Folk singer-songwriter known for hits like 'Take Me Home, Country Roads'.
Albuquerque, NM
Pop singer and actress who rose to fame on the Disney Channel.
Pasco, WA (Raised in Lovington, NM)
NFL linebacker who played his entire 13-year career with the Chicago Bears.
Albuquerque, NM
Automobile racing driver, one of only four to win the Indianapolis 500 four times.
Other places in the region and their demonyms
Want to explore where New Mexicans live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Challenge yourself with our demonym quizzes and see how many you can get right!
Take a Quiz →Discover the strangest demonyms in the English language—from Liverpudlians to Novocastrians. Learn the fascinating stories behind these unusual names for people from places.
Explore the fascinating etymology behind demonyms. Learn how Greek, Latin, Germanic, and other language families shape the names we call people from different places.
Challenge yourself with our demonym quizzes and see how many you can get right!
Take a Quiz →Discover demonyms from other places in this region