How did tenochititlan get its name?

Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, derived its name from the Nahuatl language, where "tenochtli" refers to the prickly pear cactus and "tlan" means place. The city's name essentially translates to "place of the prickly pear cactus." According to legend, the Aztecs chose the site for their city after spotting an eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a snake, which they interpreted as a divine sign to establish their capital there. This symbolism is still celebrated today in the emblem of Mexico.