Throughout the 1520s and 1530s, altepeme retained their autonomy through Christianization and local rulers now adopted new Spanish Christian names: "the names of local elite began to echo those of the men who were turning out to be their overlords rather than their liberators."
During this period, altepeme maintained control over themselves through Christianization and local leaders began using new Spanish Christian names: "the names of local elite began to reflect those of the men who were emerging as their rulers instead of their saviors."