Ortiz

Ortiz is a surname of Spanish origin and is widely found across the Spanish-speaking world, including Latin America and the United States. It is carried by people in a range of professions and communities, reflecting the name’s broad geographic distribution. The exact etymology is not precisely established, but Ortiz is generally treated as a toponymic or patronymic surname with roots associated to Iberian place names or family lineages. Variants and spellings can appear in different languages and regions, contributing to its global presence.

Notable bearers include David Ortiz, a Dominican-American former professional baseball designated hitter who played most prominently for the Boston Red Sox and is widely known by the nickname Big Papi. His international fame is one of the most recognized associations with the surname in contemporary sports.

Ortiz is also used as a place name in several countries, where it designates municipalities, towns, or geographic features. As a toponym, it often reflects historical land ownership, family influence, or local settlement names that were carried into official designations.

In addition to its use as a surname and place name, Ortiz appears in cultural, academic, and institutional contexts, including schools, streets, and landmarks. The name remains common in surveys of surname distributions and genealogical research for Spanish-speaking populations.