Final answer:
The Aztecs named the ancient city Teotihuacan, meaning "Gathering Place of the Gods," to honor its historical importance and legacy within Mesoamerican culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The city of Teotihuacan was named by the Aztecs centuries after the city's prime. Teotihuacan, which had experienced considerable growth between 100 and 650 CE, suffered a decline around the middle of the seventh century. Despite its decline, the site remained significant, and it was the Aztecs who called this ancient city "Teotihuacan," a word that translates to "Gathering Place of the Gods" due to their reverence for the place.
Teotihuacan was an influential regional power noted for its immense size, wealth obtained through trade, and military influence. The Aztecs, following the city's decline, honoured Teotihuacan and its contribution to Mesoamerican culture long after its peak. The name given by the Aztecs encompasses the city's historical importance and the legacy it left behind in the region and within subsequent civilizations such as the Toltecs and the Aztecs themselves.