Rising since 1985, #331 for boys today.
Popularity of Cruz since 1880
Babies named Cruz per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 6 |
| 1890s | 31 | 0 |
| 1900s | 82 | 42 |
| 1910s | 306 | 296 |
| 1920s | 635 | 733 |
| 1930s | 526 | 655 |
| 1940s | 466 | 730 |
| 1950s | 452 | 833 |
| 1960s | 311 | 759 |
| 1970s | 267 | 788 |
| 1980s | 256 | 1,299 |
| 1990s | 262 | 2,126 |
| 2000s | 238 | 5,107 |
| 2010s | 264 | 10,982 |
| 2020s | 136 | 6,436 |
Meaning & origin
Cruz is a name of Spanish and Portuguese origin, literally meaning 'cross.' It has been in use as a given name in the United States since at least 1880, though it remained relatively uncommon for much of that time. Its popularity has risen significantly since 1985, and its peak year came in 2013. In 2025, it ranked 331st overall, with roughly 1 in every 1,666 newborn boys receiving the name. The name is most popular in states with larger Hispanic populations, including Hawaii, New Mexico, and Arizona. Cruz offers a strong, single-syllable sound with clear religious and cultural resonance, making it a distinctive choice that has steadily gained favor across a broader audience.
Cruz is taken directly from the Spanish and Portuguese word for 'cross,' ultimately from Latin 'crux.' It originally referred to someone who lived near a cross or carried a cross in a religious procession, or was given to a child born near the Feast of the Holy Cross. It gained popularity as a given name in the Hispanic world and has been adopted in English-speaking countries, particularly among families with Latinx heritage.
Where Cruz is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Cruz” around the world
Where Cruz lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
11
babies in 2025
New Zealand
23
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Sibling names for Cruz
Names that share Cruz's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Luna, Sofia, Mila, Stella, Aria, Angle, Marisol, Milagros, Rosario, Alaska, Maricella, Sonora, Tequila, Zamora, Buena, Itzia, Nereyda, Solimar, Quintana, Lavida, Fe, Levee, Lusero, Malibu, Monseratt, Providencia
Brothers: Mateo, Jude, Diego, Liam, Santiago, Amador, Bodhi, West, Blaize, Blas, Che, Haze, Rock, Seven, Aero, Avant, Coda, Metro, Shady, Trip, Brazos, Deo, Dre, Gram, Ryzen, Camp, Anchor, Charvez, Greene, Navarro, Pilot, Trevino, Valdez, Zeplin
Names like Cruz
Names whose popularity has moved with Cruz's over the last 50 years.
