Other nahuatlisms have entered a wide variety of languages, including English, almost always as loan words drawn from Spanish.
With nahuatlisms being a subject of cultural importance, there exists a large number of studies regarding the frequency of their use and their prevalence among different layers of the Mexican population.
The linguistic diversity of Mesoamerica encouraged the adoption of Nahuatl as a lingua franca, which allowed many populations to simplify communication by learning it.
The recognition of Nahuatl on behalf of the Spanish crown as the lingua franca facilitated its diffusion across a considerable territory that comprised New Spain from Sinaloa up to Costa Rica.
In the states of Mexico, Morelos, Puebla, Veracruz, Tlaxcala, and Guerrero, the majority of municipalities bear names of Nahuatl origin.
Some cases like San Bartolo Naucalpan de Juárez reflect all the styles by which Nahuatl toponyms have entered the everyday speech of Spanish-speakers in Mexico.
The first systematic studies regarding Spanish vocabulary of Nahuatl origin were carried out in the 19th century, the works of Cecilio Robelo being a prime example.