---
title: "Is avocado really named after testicles?"  
description: "A brief explanation about the reason behind the avocado name"  
author: "Anjita D."  
published: 2023-11-01  
canonical: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/3070/is-avocado-really-named-after-testicles  
category: "foods"  
tags: ["avocado", "foods", "facts", "general knowledge"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# Is avocado really named after testicles?

![Is avocado really named after testicles](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/4f822af4-0df3-4bd0-81f2-04b82a798401/images/2308738e-dc9c-4aab-9633-515673df0c19.jpeg) ![Is avocado really named after testicles](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/4f822af4-0df3-4bd0-81f2-04b82a798401/images/83bcbea7-3a2a-4324-b33a-bf57be5c18e6.jpeg) The name "avocado" is derived from the Nahuatl word "huacatl," which also means "testicle." ![Is avocado really named after testicles](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/4f822af4-0df3-4bd0-81f2-04b82a798401/images/b52de115-3e9f-4536-a757-e36002f738da.jpeg) In a fun or suggestive manner, the Aztecs may have used the term "huacatl" to refer to both the fruit and the testicles. ![Is avocado really named after testicles](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/4f822af4-0df3-4bd0-81f2-04b82a798401/images/a71e4357-7c5f-46d8-a9f0-210d82900ae2.jpeg) In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors adopted the Nahuatl term for avocado, anglicising it to "avocado" after bringing it back to Europe. ![Is avocado really named after testicles](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/4f822af4-0df3-4bd0-81f2-04b82a798401/images/777bf8ab-c7eb-40f7-96bf-fde45e7a4c6a.jpeg) Early 20th century, American avocado growers rebranded as "alligator pear" due to pronunciation issues and its negative association with testicles. ![Is avocado really named after testicles](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/4f822af4-0df3-4bd0-81f2-04b82a798401/images/9d686f69-a435-4302-afca-1c723d392020.jpeg) Today, the name "avocado" is recognized worldwide and is used to refer to the fruit in all languages.

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Original Source: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/3070/is-avocado-really-named-after-testicles

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