Find out how popular the first name Cortes has been for the last 37 years (from 1983 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cortes by gender

Based on the last 37 years of data, Cortes is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Cortes.

The history of the first name Cortes

The name Cortes is of Spanish origin, derived from the word "cortar," which means "to cut" in Spanish. The name dates back to the medieval period in Spain, and it was initially used as a surname for individuals who worked as tailors or cutters of cloth.

During the 16th century, the name gained prominence due to the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, who led the conquest of the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico. Hernán Cortés was born in 1485 in Medellín, Spain, and he is one of the most famous historical figures associated with this name.

Another notable historical figure with the name Cortes was Martín Cortés, the son of Hernán Cortés and his indigenous Mexican wife, Doña Marina. Martín Cortés was born in 1522 and played a significant role in the Spanish colonization of Mexico.

In the realm of literature, the name Cortes appears in Miguel de Cervantes' famous novel "Don Quixote," published in 1605. One of the characters, a wealthy farmer, bears the name Cortes.

During the 19th century, the name Cortes was associated with José María Cortés, a Venezuelan military leader and politician who played a crucial role in the Venezuelan War of Independence. He was born in 1768 and served as the President of Venezuela from 1841 to 1842.

Another notable figure was Juan Donoso Cortés, a Spanish philosopher and political theorist born in 1809. He was a prominent figure in the conservative movement in Spain and is known for his influential work "Essay on Catholicism, Liberalism, and Socialism."

Over the centuries, the name Cortes has been used across various Spanish-speaking regions, including Spain, Mexico, and other parts of Latin America. While it was initially more common as a surname, it has also been adopted as a given name, particularly in Spanish-speaking communities.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Cortes was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cortes, please contact us.

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