The name ‘Mayans’ originates from the Maya civilization, which thrived in Mesoamerica, encompassing present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador. The term ‘Maya’ can be traced back to the ancient city of Mayapan in the Yucatán Peninsula, an important political and cultural center during the late post-classic period of Mayan history.
When Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, they used the term ‘Maya’ to describe the indigenous peoples who spoke the various Mayan languages and shared similar cultural traits. It’s important to note that the Maya people never referred to themselves as ‘Mayans’; instead, they identified with their specific city-states or regions, such as the K’iche’, the Yucatec, or the Q’eqchi’ groups.
In modern contexts, the name ‘Mayans’ generally refers to the descendants of this blend of ancient Maya civilization and its subsequent historical developments. Today, many communities in the region continue to preserve their culture, languages, and traditions, further enriching the legacy of the Maya civilization.