Moctezuma II , also known as Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin ( 1466-1520 ) and often called Montezuma in English , was the Aztec emperor ( tlahtoani ) from 1502 to 1520 . His name comes from the Nahuatl Motecuhzoma , it means `` he who is leader because of his fury '' . Moctezuma ( c. 1466 -- June 1520 ) , also known by a number of variant spellings including Montezuma , Moteuczoma , Motecuhzoma and referred to in full by early Nahuatl texts as Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin , was the ninth tlatoani or ruler of Tenochtitlan , reigning from 1502 to 1520 .