Noah Boy
NOH-uh
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Cruz
BoySpanish, Latin· “cross”
- Meaning
- cross
- Origin
- Spanish, Latin
- Pronunciation
- KROOZ
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #331
- US babies 2025
- 1,025
- Best rank
- #279 (2013)
- Peak year
- 2013
Meaning and origin of Cruz
Cruz is a Spanish and Latin name that means “cross”.
Cruz is the Spanish and Portuguese word for cross, from the Latin crux. It is a common surname in the Spanish-speaking world, and it has long been used as a given name in honor of the Holy Cross, sometimes as part of the female name María de la Cruz. As a first name in the United States Cruz is used mainly for boys and has a short, confident, modern sound. It fits with names like Diego and Mateo while also sitting well beside English names such as Beau and Cash. Cruz is easy to spell and pronounce in both Spanish and English.
Other spellings with the same sound: Cruze, Cruise.
Popularity over time
Cruz has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 109 different years. Its best national rank was #279 in 2013, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,250 babies. In 2025, 1,025 babies were named Cruz, and it ranked #331 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #794 in 1920, #737 in 1950, #945 in 1980, #643 in 2000, #321 in 2010, and #331 in 2025. Of the 30,792 US boys named Cruz since records began, 36% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 6,436 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Anderson, Reed, Reid, Kendrick, and Cash.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Cruz ranked highest in Hawaii, California, and New Mexico.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #71 | 12 |
| California | #142 | 268 |
| New Mexico | #150 | 13 |
| Arizona | #163 | 55 |
| Nevada | #192 | 16 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Cruz over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Cruz is usually pronounced KROOZ, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with C and ends in “-uz”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Cruze and Cruise.
Middle names for Cruz
A few middle names that flow with Cruz: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cruz
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Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cruz mean?
Cruz is a Spanish and Latin name that means “cross”.
What is the origin of the name Cruz?
Cruz has Spanish and Latin roots. Cruz is the Spanish and Portuguese word for cross, from the Latin crux.
Is Cruz a popular name?
Yes. Cruz ranked #331 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Cruz a boy or girl name?
Cruz is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Cruz over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Cruz?
Cruz is usually pronounced KROOZ. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings