How to say it
CRUZ
kruːz
Masculine
Cruz
Cross
What it means
Spanish and Portuguese for 'cross,' a devotional name pointing to the Christian cross.
Cruz is the Spanish and Portuguese word for 'cross,' originally a devotional name and surname (as in de la Cruz) honoring the cross of Christ. It moved into first-name use as a short, punchy choice, with a celebrity nudge from Cruz Beckham. Single-syllable and crisp, it crosses easily from Latino families into broader use. Penélope Cruz keeps the surname famous too.
How to spell Cruz
The standard spelling is Cruz. Common variants include Cruze, Kruz, but Cruz is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #279 in 2013, currently #331 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Worth knowing
A devotional name meaning 'cross'; common across Latino communities and increasingly beyond.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Cruz Beckham son of David and Victoria Beckham
Spelling variants
- Cruze
- Kruz
Names with the same feeling
See Cruz from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Cruz mean?
- Spanish and Portuguese for 'cross,' a devotional name pointing to the Christian cross.
- What does Cruz mean in Spanish?
- In Spanish, Cruz means "Cross." Cruz is the Spanish and Portuguese word for 'cross,' originally a devotional name and surname (as in de la Cruz) honoring the cross of Christ. It moved into first-name use as a short, punchy choice, with a celebrity nudge from Cruz Beckham. Single-syllable and crisp, it crosses easily from Latino families into broader use. Penélope Cruz keeps the surname famous too.
- How do you pronounce Cruz?
- Cruz is pronounced kruːz. Say it as CRUZ, with the stress on the "cruz" syllable.
- How do you spell Cruz?
- The standard spelling is Cruz. Common spelling variants include Cruze, Kruz.
- Is Cruz a boy or girl name?
- Cruz is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Cruz?
- Cruz ranked #331 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.