Cruz Unisex

Popularity: #313 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KROOZ //kruːz//

Origin: Spanish; Latin

Meaning: Spanish: cross; Latin: cross

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Cruz has its roots in the Latin word "crux," meaning "cross." This term was used in early Christian contexts to refer to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and it became a significant symbol of faith and salvation. The name entered the Spanish language as "Cruz," which directly translates to "cross." This transition occurred as Latin evolved into the various Romance languages during the early Middle Ages, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula, where the name became associated with Christian identity and devotion.

Historically, the name Cruz has been borne by various notable figures, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries. One of the earliest recorded uses of the name can be traced back to the 12th century, when it began to appear in religious contexts, often given to children born on or around Christian feast days that celebrated the cross.

The name gained further prominence through the veneration of saints, such as Saint Cruz, who is recognized in some Christian traditions. The name also appears in the context of the Spanish Conquistadors and explorers during the Age of Discovery, where it was used to signify the Christian faith in newly encountered lands.

Culturally, the name Cruz carries significant symbolic weight, representing faith, sacrifice, and redemption. It has been used in various artistic and literary works throughout history, often invoking themes of spirituality and moral fortitude.

The name has also inspired numerous place names, particularly in regions influenced by Spanish colonization, where it serves as a reminder of the cultural and religious heritage of the Spanish-speaking world. In addition to its standalone form, diminutive variations such as "Cruzito" have emerged, reflecting affection and familiarity, although the primary form remains the most recognized.

Famous people named Cruz

In this section, you will find notable people named Cruz. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Cruz who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Cruz who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Cruz Beckham is a singer and songwriter best known for his music career and being part of the Beckham family.

Cruz Azul is a professional football club known for its achievements in Liga MX and CONCACAF Champions League.

Fictional characters named Cruz

The following list of fictional characters named Cruz is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Cruz Ramirez is a fictional character from the animated film Cars 3. She is a young race car who becomes a key mentor to Lightning McQueen.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cruz, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MateoDiegoSantiagoJavierLucaNico

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cruz. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

JulesRubenLuisMarcoFelixHugoLeoAdrianMilo

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Cruz was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Cruz has ranked as high as #542 nationally, which occurred in 2013, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Cruz has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Cruz is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Cruz was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Cruz.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 1,040 1,025 15
2024 1,132 1,115 17
2023 1,034 1,015 19
2022 1,094 1,066 28
2021 1,150 1,117 33
2020 1,122 1,098 24
2019 1,138 1,115 23
2018 1,047 1,022 25
2017 996 970 26
2016 1,037 1,015 22
2015 1,092 1,065 27
2014 1,254 1,224 30
2013 1,278 1,250 28
2012 1,264 1,232 32
2011 1,127 1,098 29
2010 1,013 991 22
2009 925 906 19
2008 874 846 28
2007 700 672 28
2006 544 524 20
2005 496 477 19
2004 433 406 27
2003 375 359 16
2002 337 302 35
2001 360 333 27
2000 301 282 19
1999 268 243 25
1998 299 261 38
1997 257 229 28
1996 242 219 23
1995 259 227 32
1994 230 208 22
1993 209 181 28
1992 196 169 27
1991 207 189 18
1990 221 200 21
1989 223 206 17
1988 195 173 22
1987 183 168 15
1986 171 152 19
1985 149 120 29
1984 136 104 32
1983 120 94 26
1982 133 102 31
1981 124 90 34
1980 121 90 31
1979 102 78 24
1978 137 115 22
1977 102 83 19
1976 108 81 27
1975 103 71 32
1974 111 85 26
1973 97 70 27
1972 104 74 30
1971 92 63 29
1970 99 68 31
1969 111 87 24
1968 103 75 28
1967 87 59 28
1966 109 76 33
1965 92 64 28
1964 121 85 36
1963 106 72 34
1962 108 77 31
1961 104 82 22
1960 129 82 47
1959 119 84 35
1958 148 96 52
1957 132 79 53
1956 141 87 54
1955 116 77 39
1954 113 71 42
1953 126 80 46
1952 120 87 33
1951 136 85 51
1950 134 87 47
1949 156 100 56
1948 128 76 52
1947 124 79 45
1946 130 76 54
1945 99 59 40
1944 101 61 40
1943 113 75 38
1942 123 77 46
1941 99 57 42
1940 123 70 53
1939 124 70 54
1938 130 77 53
1937 118 60 58
1936 120 58 62
1935 115 73 42
1934 100 53 47
1933 102 64 38
1932 110 67 43
1931 137 69 68
1930 125 64 61
1929 146 82 64
1928 149 77 72
1927 137 75 62
1926 136 84 52
1925 161 85 76
1924 121 68 53
1923 155 71 84
1922 110 62 48
1921 126 58 68
1920 127 71 56
1919 132 65 67
1918 88 41 47
1917 66 38 28
1916 51 28 23
1915 74 38 36
1914 56 25 31
1913 43 16 27
1912 37 20 17
1911 29 16 13
1910 26 9 17
1909 10 0 10
1908 14 5 9
1907 23 10 13
1906 16 5 11
1905 19 12 7
1904 9 0 9
1903 5 5 0
1902 15 5 10
1901 7 0 7
1900 6 0 6
1899 6 0 6
1896 6 0 6
1895 5 0 5
1892 6 0 6
1890 8 0 8
1880 6 6 0

Top States for Cruz (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 272
25%
TX 129
12%
AZ 50
5%
FL 43
4%
CO 42
4%
WA 33
3%
IL 30
3%
MI 30
3%
OH 29
3%
MO 22
2%
NY 22
2%
GA 20
2%
LA 20
2%
UT 19
2%
NM 19
2%
NC 18
2%
MD 18
2%
WI 16
1%
IN 16
1%
MN 16
1%
NV 16
1%
TN 16
1%
KS 16
1%
PA 15
1%
IA 14
1%
AR 14
1%
OR 13
1%
NJ 13
1%
KY 12
1%
MA 12
1%
NE 11
1%
VA 10
1%
MS 8
1%
OK 8
1%
ID 8
1%
ND 7
1%
AL 7
1%
MT 6
1%
SD 6
1%
HI 5
0%
ME 5
0%
SC 5
0%