Save Type Political Subdivision Usage Spanish Pronounced Pron. sa-ka-TEH-kas(Latin American Spanish) tha-ka-TEH-kas(European Spanish) [key·IPA] Meaning & History Derived from Nahuatl zacatēcah meaning "people of the place of grass" or "where grass is abundant", ultimately from zacatl meaning "grass". This is the name of a state of Mexico.