Cruz

Meaning of Cruz

Cruz, pronounced “kroos” in Spanish and “krooz” in English, travels through time like a sturdy galleon flying a bright crimson flag. Rooted in the Spanish word for “cross,” it carries a centuries-old echo of faith and pilgrimage, yet feels breezy and contemporary, as if ready for a beach-side soccer match. Once largely a surname, Cruz stepped onto the first-name stage generations ago, and its quiet charisma has kept American birth records humming—from a handful of newborns in 1900 to well over a thousand most years since 2010. Parents often choose it for the spiritual symbolism, the nod to Latin heritage, or the celebrity sparkle of Cruz Beckham, but the name’s real power lies in its simplicity: four letters, one crisp syllable, and a meaning that bridges earth and sky. It’s a name that wears a leather wristband to church, that can both anchor a family tree and surf a modern playlist—proof that sometimes the shortest voyage leads to the richest shores.

Pronunciation

Spanish

• Pronunced as kroos (/kruˈs/)

American English

• Pronunced as krooz (/kruːz/)

• Diego
• Rafael
• Mateo
• Carlos
• Gabriel
• Santiago
• Antonio