Cruz is a moderately popular boys' name in United States, ranking #331 in 2025 with 1,025 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2013 with 1,250 births ranking #279. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 368.0%. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 1,666 boys born was named Cruz. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Cruz is a Spanish word and surname name meaning "cross". It is brief, bold, and carries an unmistakable Christian religious background.
The name comes from religious vocabulary and long-standing Hispanic surname use rather than from an older personal-name tradition. Its rise as a first name reflects the modern popularity of short, striking cross-cultural names.