Maricruz

Meaning & origin

Maricruz is a Spanish compound name reflecting deep Catholic devotional roots, blending Maria and Cruz. It entered U.S. records in 1962, reflecting immigration patterns and cultural retention. The name saw its peak in 1988, during a period when compound Maria names were fashionable, but has been falling in use since 1989. By 2025, it ranked 7,491, with about 1 in 114,805 babies receiving the name that year. The trajectory of decline is clear, suggesting it is now an uncommon choice. While no single state shows outsized prevalence in the data, Maricruz retains a cultural foothold in communities with strong Mexican and Spanish heritage.

Maricruz is a Spanish compound name formed from Maria and Cruz, meaning 'cross'. It is a devotional name referring to the Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Cross (Spanish: Nuestra Señora de la Cruz). The name gained popularity in Spanish-speaking countries as a given name rather than a devotional phrase, particularly in Mexico and the southwestern United States. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1962, peaking in popularity in the late 1980s during a broader trend of compound Maria names.