Aritz
A Basque name derived from "haritz" meaning "oak tree".
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Aritz. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Aritz today is around 3 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Aritz births was 2023 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Aritz. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Aritz. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
2023
5 babies that year
Average age
3
years old
2023 SSA rank
#12,384
Tracked since 2023
Popularity
Aritz: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Aritz by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Aritz during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Aritz
The name Aritz is of Basque origin, originating from the Basque Country, an autonomous region straddling northern Spain and southern France. The Basque language, known as Euskara, is a language isolate, meaning it is unrelated to any other known living language. The name Aritz is derived from the Basque word "aritz," which means "oak tree."
In Basque culture, the oak tree holds a significant symbolic meaning, representing strength, resilience, and deep roots. The name Aritz may have been given to individuals born in areas with a strong presence of oak trees or to those whose families wished to imbue their children with the qualities associated with this mighty tree.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Aritz can be traced back to the Middle Ages, although its exact origins are shrouded in the mists of time. One of the earliest known individuals with this name was Aritz de Lizarra, a Basque nobleman who lived in the 13th century and played a role in the military campaigns against the Kingdom of Navarre.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Aritz. One such individual was Aritz Aduriz (born 1981), a Spanish professional football player who spent most of his career playing for Athletic Bilbao, a prominent Basque football club. His prowess on the field and his commitment to his Basque roots have made him a beloved figure in the region.
Another prominent figure was Aritz Parra (born 1984), a Basque musician and composer known for his innovative fusion of traditional Basque music with contemporary styles. His compositions have been performed internationally, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Basque people.
In the literary realm, Aritz Galarraga (born 1973) is a celebrated Basque author and poet whose works explore themes of identity, language, and the complexities of modern Basque society. His poetic prowess has earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Basque Literature Prize.
Aritz López de Lacalle (born 1959) is a renowned Basque engineer and academic, whose contributions to the field of manufacturing engineering have garnered international recognition. He has authored numerous publications and has been a driving force in advancing manufacturing technologies.
Lastly, Aritz Soraluze (born 1984) is a Basque professional cyclist who has competed in prestigious events such as the Vuelta a España and the Giro d'Italia. His perseverance and dedication to his sport have made him an inspiration to aspiring athletes in the Basque Country and beyond.
These individuals, spanning various fields and eras, exemplify the enduring legacy of the name Aritz and its deep roots in Basque culture and identity.
People
Aritz + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Aritz as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with A
Other first names starting with A with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Aritz: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Aritz?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Aritz going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Aritz a common name?
We classify Aritz as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Aritz most popular?
The single biggest year for Aritz was 2023, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Aritz is about 3 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Aritz in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Aritz a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Aritz in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Aritz still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Aritz in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Aritz can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are called Aritz?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.