Find out how popular the first name Cruz has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cruz by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Cruz is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 95% of people named Cruz being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,012 male babies and 19 female babies born with the name Cruz.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 19 baby girls were named Cruz in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Cruz

The name Cruz originated from the Latin word "crux" meaning "cross". It has been a popular given name in Spanish-speaking countries and regions influenced by Catholic traditions, reflecting the significance of the cross in Christianity.

The earliest recorded use of Cruz as a given name dates back to the Middle Ages in Spain and Portugal. It was often bestowed upon individuals born or baptized on religious holidays associated with the cross, such as Good Friday or the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

In the 16th century, the name gained prominence during the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Conquistadors and missionaries frequently named indigenous converts Cruz as a symbol of their conversion to Christianity. This practice contributed to the widespread adoption of the name across Latin America.

One of the earliest notable figures with the name Cruz was Cruz de Mendoza, a 15th-century Spanish nobleman and military leader who participated in the Reconquista against the Moors. Another prominent historical figure was Cruz de Tolosa, a 16th-century Spanish missionary and linguist who worked among the indigenous populations of Mexico.

In the religious realm, Cruz de Zamora was a 16th-century Spanish Franciscan friar renowned for his mystical writings and spiritual teachings. The name also appears in the annals of art and literature, with figures like Cruz de Arteaga, a 17th-century Spanish painter known for his religious works, and Cruz de Alvarenga, an 18th-century Brazilian poet and member of the Arcadian literary movement.

Moving into the modern era, Cruz Enrique Prado was a 20th-century Peruvian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the United Nations General Assembly. Another notable bearer of the name was Cruz Bustamante, a Mexican-American politician who served as the Lieutenant Governor of California from 1999 to 2007.

The name Cruz has transcended its religious origins and is now widely used across various cultural and linguistic backgrounds, reflecting its enduring popularity and symbolic connection to the cross.

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 Cruz was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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