The archaeological zone of Palenque takes its name from the neighbouring community founded at the end of the 16th century: Santo Domingo de Palenque. The last meaning, also of Spanish origin, means “Estacada” or “Empalizada”, which is a wooden fence that surrounds a site to protect it. It is possible that the natives kept in memory the existence of defensive works in the abandoned pre-Hispanic city. On the other hand, the place name comes from the Ch'ol language, referring to the Otulum stream which means “fortified houses” that crosses the archaeological zone. Other names have also been used to refer to the old settlement: Na Chán "city of snakes", Ghochan "head or capital of snakes", Nacan, Ototiun "stone house" and Chocan "sculpted snake", among others. The local inhabitants know him by the name of the Otolum Creek, whose alternative meaning is "place of the fallen stones". Xhembobel-Moyos, name of an immediate town, was also used to designate the ruins.