Cruz

Cruz is a word of Spanish and Portuguese origin meaning cross. It is used as a surname, a given name, and in place names, reflecting religious symbolism or geographic features associated with a cross.

As a surname, Cruz is widespread in Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and the Philippines. It often appears in forms such as de la Cruz or Delacruz, indicating a toponymic or religious origin. In contemporary public life, notable individuals with the surname include Penélope Cruz, the Spanish actress, and Ted Cruz, the American politician and U.S. senator.

Geographically, Cruz and its variants are common in the names of towns, districts, and natural features across Latin America and the Philippines. Such toponyms typically arise from historical religious associations, local churches dedicated to the Cross, or cross-shaped crossroads.

In culture and organizations, Cruz appears in many institutional names. Cruz Roja is the Red Cross in Spanish-speaking countries. In sports, teams carry the name, such as Cruz Azul, a Mexican professional football club whose name translates to Blue Cross.

Overall, Cruz functions as a versatile cultural and linguistic marker, linking language, religion, family lineage, and geography across Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities and their diasporas.