Incan names come from the language of Quechua, which dates back to roughly 2600 BCE and originates from the coast of modern-day Peru. Quechua is still spoken today, mainly in Peru and Bolivia, where it is one of their official languages.
However, there is very little Quechuan writing as most speakers are illiterate in Quechua and instead learned to read and write in Spanish. This means many Incan names can be spelled in a few ways—many of which are very interesting thanks to the intriguing nature of the Incan language.
Incan girl names are exciting and thoughtful. But many of their names can also be quite hard to read or pronounce to those unfamiliar with the language. A name like Quyllur (also spelled Coyllur), which means “star,” is a beautiful name that many non-native Quechua speakers may struggle with at first, but it is easier to understand when people are told it sounds like “coy-your.”
Nina, which is Quechuan for “fire,” is a much more easily understood name for most non-native speakers of Quechua that still has Incan roots. Other names that might be easier for most people to handle are Sisa, which means “bloom,” Wayta (also spelled Huayta), which means “bouquet,” and Urpi, which means “dove.”
Check out more great girl names from the Incan people below for that dash of inspiration you need.
Achanqara
Meaning: Begonia
Origin: Quechua
Achirana
Meaning: Thanksgiving offering
Origin: Quechua
Andes
Meaning: East
Origin: Quechua
Apichu
Meaning: Sweet Potato
Origin: Incan
Axomamma
Meaning: Goddess Of Potatoes
Origin: Incan
Ayar
Meaning: Kin Of Sun God Inti
Origin: Incan
Bachué
Meaning: One With Naked Breast
Origin: Incan
Caquingora
Meaning: Ibis-like Bird
Origin: Incan
Cavillace
Meaning: Virgin Goddess
Origin: Incan
Chasca
Meaning: Goddess Of The Dawn And Twilight
Origin: Incan
Chhulla
Meaning: Morning dew
Origin: Quechua
Cocohuay
Meaning: Turtle Dove
Origin: Incan
Copacati
Meaning: Goddess Of The Lake
Origin: Incan
Coyllur
Meaning: Star
Origin: Quechua
Cui
Meaning: Guinea Pig
Origin: Incan
Cuntur
Meaning: Condor
Origin: Incan
Cusi
Meaning: Pleasure, Joy
Origin: Incan
Guaman
Meaning: Hawk
Origin: Incan
Guacamaya
Meaning: Parrot, Macaw
Origin: Incan
Hawka
Meaning: Carefree
Origin: Quechua
Huallpa
Meaning: Warmth Of The Sun, Joy
Origin: Incan
Huayta
Meaning: Bouquet
Origin: Quechua
Huitaca
Meaning: Goddess Of Wine And Debauchery
Origin: Incan
Illari
Meaning: Dawn
Origin: Quechua
Inchic
Meaning: Crop Of Peanuts
Origin: Incan
Inkasisa
Meaning: From inka meaning “royal, king”, and sisa meaning “flower”
Origin: Quechua
Inti
Meaning: Sun
Origin: Incan
Ka-ata-killa
Meaning: Goddess Of The Moon
Origin: Incan
Nina
Meaning: Dire
Origin: Quechua
Nyunyuma
Meaning: Duck
Origin: Incan
Quenti
Meaning: Hummingbird
Origin: Incan
Ozcollo
Meaning: Ocelot
Origin: Incan
Pacari
Meaning: Cave Of Refuge
Origin: Incan
Pacay
Meaning: Guava Fruit
Origin: Incan
Palta
Meaning: Pear
Origin: Incan
Pisco
Meaning: Small Bird
Origin: Incan
Pitahaya
Meaning: Cactus Pear
Origin: Incan
Poma
Meaning: Puma Cat
Origin: Incan
Puna
Meaning: Partridge Bird
Origin: Incan
Quinuama
Meaning: Goddess Of Grain
Origin: Incan
Quyllur
Meaning: Star
Origin: Quechua
Sachamama
Meaning: Goddess Of The Forest
Origin: Incan
Sisa
Meaning: Sisa
Origin: Quechua
Spallu
Meaning: Melon Fruits
Origin: Incan
Suyuntu
Meaning: Turkey Buzzard
Origin: Incan
Taruca
Meaning: Deer
Origin: Incan
Uchu
Meaning: Pimiento
Origin: Incan
Urpi
Meaning: Dove
Origin: Quechua
Wayta
Meaning: Bouquet
Origin: Quechua
Zaramama
Meaning: Goddess Of The Harvest
Origin: Incan