Names of Mayan origin: observations on its meaning, prehispanic and colonial symbolism and its relationship with the Mayan peninsular surnames of today

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to inquire briefly about the origin, meaning and interpretation of the names of Mayan origin Bacab, Balam and Chan. Will expose how the epigraphers and linguists analyzed these words when they are part of some prehispanic names of the Classical period and Colonial periodon the Maya area. It will be discussed how have they been translated and interpreted in texts from the colonial era and which meaning ascribed the people to them in nowadays.