Cree - Name Meaning and Popularity -

Meaning of Cree

Cree, pronounced “kree,” bridges several cultural currents at once. Its most widely cited source is the Plains Cree nation of Canada, where the word signified “the people,” yet the sound also mirrors Irish Gaelic croí, meaning “heart,” and, in Spanish, evokes the imperative cree—“believe.” Pop culture keeps the name in light with actress Cree Summer and the galactic Kree of Marvel lore. Unisex by nature and brisk in a single syllable, Cree carries an inclusive, modern edge that parents find appealing; U.S. records show a steady, if modest, rise since the early 1990s, with 120 newborns bearing the name in 2022. Layered with Indigenous pride, Celtic sentiment, and a dash of pan-American wordplay, Cree offers a succinct yet resonant option for families looking beyond the mainstream.