# Cruz

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cruz
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cruz.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruz
> Source revision: 1356873896
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{other uses}}
{{distinguish|De Cruz|De la Cruz}}
{{Infobox name
| name          = Cruz
| image         = Meister des Reliquienkreuzes von Cosenza 002.jpg
| image_size    = 140
| caption       = <small>The [Christian Cross](/source/Christian_Cross)</small>
| pronunciation = {{ubl
 | Spanish: {{IPA|es|kɾuθ|IPA}} <small>or</small> {{IPA|es|kɾus|}}
 | Portuguese: {{IPA|pt|kɾuʃ|IPA}}
}}
| meaning       = [Cross](/source/Cross)
| region        = Spain, Portugal
| language      = Spanish, Portuguese
| variant       = "Vera Cruz", "Santa Cruz", "De la Cruz"
| family        = 
| search        = 
| prefix        = 
| footnotes     = 
}}

'''Cruz''' is primarily a [surname](/source/surname), but is also used as a first name mainly in the US and the UK. It is of [Iberian](/source/Iberian_Peninsula) origin, first found in [Castile](/source/Castile_(historical_region)),{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} Spain, and later spread throughout the territories of the former [Spanish](/source/Spanish_Empire) and [Portuguese Empire](/source/Portuguese_Empire)s. In Spanish and Portuguese, the word means "cross", either the [Christian cross](/source/Christian_cross) or the figure of transecting lines or ways. For example, in the [Philippines](/source/Philippines), the adopted [Tagalog](/source/Tagalog_language) word is rendered to "krus" in plain usage, but the Spanish spelling survives as a surname.

The word "Cruz", as well as "Vera Cruz" ("True Cross") and "Santa Cruz" ("Holy Cross") are used as surnames and toponyms. Its origin as a surname particularly flourished after the [Alhambra Decree](/source/Alhambra_Decree) of 1492 and the increasing activities of the [Spanish Inquisition](/source/Spanish_Inquisition), when New Christian families with [Crypto-Jewish](/source/Crypto-Judaism), [Moorish](/source/Morisco), and/or mixed religious heritage converted to the state-enforced religion of [Catholicism](/source/Catholic_Church) and subsequently fashioned and adopted surnames with unambiguous religious affiliation.

As a first name in the US, '''Cruz''' is ranked #303 in 2024 according to social security. It saw a boost in popularity after [David Beckham](/source/David_Beckham) named one of his sons '''Cruz'''.

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==People with the surname==

===General===
* [Alberto Cruz (disambiguation)](/source/Alberto_Cruz_(disambiguation)), multiple people
* [Alejandro Cruz (disambiguation)](/source/Alejandro_Cruz_(disambiguation)), multiple people
* [Alex Cruz (disambiguation)](/source/Alex_Cruz_(disambiguation)), multiple people
* [Arturo Cruz](/source/Arturo_Cruz) (1923–2013), Nicaraguan rebel leader
* [Carlos Cruz (disambiguation)](/source/Carlos_Cruz_(disambiguation)), multiple people
* [Isagani Cruz](/source/Isagani_Cruz) (c. 1924–2013), Filipino judge
* [Juan-Carlos Cruz](/source/Juan-Carlos_Cruz) (born 1962), Dominican American celebrity chef
* [Maria Silva Cruz](/source/Maria_Silva_Cruz) (1915–1936), Spanish anarchist
* [Maximiano Tuazon Cruz](/source/Maximiano_Tuazon_Cruz) (1923–2013), Filipino Roman Catholic bishop
* [Nicky Cruz](/source/Nicky_Cruz) (born 1938), Puerto Rican-American ex-gang leader and religious minister
* [Nikolas Cruz](/source/Nikolas_Cruz) (born 1998), American criminal, perpetrator of the [Parkland high school shooting](/source/Parkland_high_school_shooting)
* [Oswaldo Cruz](/source/Oswaldo_Cruz) (1872–1917), Brazilian physician, bacteriologist, and epidemiologist
* [Richard Cruz (disambiguation)](/source/Richard_Cruz_(disambiguation)), multiple people
* [Terri Cruz](/source/Terri_Cruz) (1927–2017), American community organizer

===Arts===

====General====
* [Amina Cruz](/source/Amina_Cruz), American photographer
* [Claudia Cruz](/source/Claudia_Cruz) (born 1986), Dominican Miss World contestant 2004
* [Gaspar da Cruz](/source/Gaspar_da_Cruz) (ca. 1520–1570), Portuguese Dominican friar, author of the first European book on China
* [Gemma Cruz-Araneta](/source/Gemma_Cruz-Araneta) (born 1943), Filipino crowned Miss International; writer and director
* [José María Cruz Novillo](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Mar%C3%ADa_Cruz_Novillo) (1936–2026), Spanish sculptor, engraver, painter, and designer
* [Lizania Cruz](/source/Lizania_Cruz), Dominican artist
* [Nilo Cruz](/source/Nilo_Cruz) (born 1962), Cuban-American playwright and Pulitzer prize winner

====Actors and Actresses====
'''General'''
* [Ernesto Gómez Cruz](/source/Ernesto_G%C3%B3mez_Cruz) (1933–2024), Mexican actor
* [Ileana D'Cruz](/source/Ileana_D'Cruz), Indian actress from Goa
* [Isadora Cruz](/source/Isadora_Cruz) (born 1998), Brazilian actress
* [Mónica Cruz](/source/M%C3%B3nica_Cruz) (born 1977), Spanish dancer and actress; sister of Penélope Cruz
* [Penélope Cruz](/source/Pen%C3%A9lope_Cruz) (born 1974), Spanish actress
* [Leslie Fields-Cruz](/source/Leslie_Fields-Cruz), American journalist

'''American'''
* [Raphael Cruz](/source/Raphael_Cruz), American acrobat, [Cirque du Soleil](/source/Cirque_du_Soleil) performer and actor
* [Wilson Cruz](/source/Wilson_Cruz) (born 1973), Puerto Rican-American actor
* [Alexis Cruz](/source/Alexis_Cruz) (born 1974), Puerto Rican-American actor
* [Brandon Cruz](/source/Brandon_Cruz) (born 1962), American actor and musician
* [Raymond Cruz](/source/Raymond_Cruz) (born 1964), American actor
'''Filipino'''
* [Donna Cruz](/source/Donna_Cruz) (born 1977), Filipina actress and singer
* [Ella Cruz](/source/Ella_Cruz) (born 1996), Filipino Actress
* [Geneva Cruz](/source/Geneva_Cruz) (born 1976), Filipino actress and singer
* Jesse Cruz, birth name of [Ricky Belmonte](/source/Ricky_Belmonte) (1947–2001), Filipino actor
* [John Lloyd Cruz](/source/John_Lloyd_Cruz) (born 1983), Filipino actor
* [Rayver Cruz](/source/Rayver_Cruz) (born 1989), Filipino actor/dancer
* [Rodjun Cruz](/source/Rodjun_Cruz) (born 1987), Filipino actor/dancer
* [Sheryl Cruz](/source/Sheryl_Cruz) (born 1974), Filipino actress
* [Sunshine Cruz](/source/Sunshine_Cruz) (born 1977), Filipino actress
* [Tirso Cruz III](/source/Tirso_Cruz_III) (born 1953, Filipino actor

====Musical Artists====
'''General'''
* [Celia Cruz](/source/Celia_Cruz) (1924–2003), Cuban salsa singer
* [Gilda Cruz-Romo](/source/Gilda_Cruz-Romo) (1940–2025), Mexican operatic soprano
* [Simon Cruz](/source/Simon_Cruz), Swedish singer of glam metal band Crashdïet
* [Taio Cruz](/source/Taio_Cruz), British singer (born Adetayo Ayowale O. A. Onile-Ere)
* [Toni Cruz](/source/Toni_Cruz) (1946–2025), Spanish singer and television producer.

'''American'''
* [Adam Cruz](/source/Adam_Cruz), American jazz drummer
* [Tony Sunshine](/source/Tony_Sunshine) (Antonio Cruz, born 1977), Puerto Rican R&B singer
* [Bobby Cruz](/source/Bobby_Cruz) (born 1937 or 1938), Puerto Rican salsa singer and religious minister
* [Jason Cruz](/source/Jason_Cruz) (born 1974), American musician, artist, poet

===Politicians===
* [Agay Cruz](/source/Agay_Cruz) (born 1980), Filipino lawyer and politician
* [Ambrosio Cruz Jr.](/source/Ambrosio_Cruz_Jr.) (born 1947), Filipino politician
* [Angel Cruz](/source/Angel_Cruz), a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 180th District
* [Angelina Cruz](/source/Angelina_Cruz) (born 1979), Wisconsin politician
* [Benjamin Cruz](/source/Benjamin_Cruz) (born 1951), Guamanian politician
* [Catalina Cruz](/source/Catalina_Cruz) (born 1980s), New York politician
* [Gina Cruz Blackledge](/source/Gina_Cruz_Blackledge) (born 1969), Mexican politician, Senator from Baja California in 2018–2024
* [Inmaculada Cruz](/source/Inmaculada_Cruz) (1960–2013), Spanish politician
* [Nelsy Cruz](/source/Nelsy_Cruz) (1982–2025), Dominican politician
* [Ted Cruz](/source/Ted_Cruz) (Rafael Edward Cruz; born 1970), Canadian-American politician and United States Senator from Texas since 2013
* [Zenaida Cruz-Ducut](/source/Zenaida_Cruz-Ducut) (born 1956), Filipino lawyer and politician

===Sports===
* [Adolfo Schwelm Cruz](/source/Adolfo_Schwelm_Cruz) (1923–2012), Argentine Formula One race car driver
* [Beatriz Cruz](/source/Beatriz_Cruz) (born 1980), Puerto Rican track and field athlete
* [Carl Bryan Cruz](/source/Carl_Bryan_Cruz) (born 1991), Filipino basketball player
* [Dominick Cruz](/source/Dominick_Cruz) (born 1985), American professional mixed martial artist
* [Edvandro Cruz](/source/Edvandro_Cruz) (born 1978), Brazilian mountain biker
* [Enrique Cruz Jr.](/source/Enrique_Cruz_Jr.) (born 2003), American football player
* [Iohana Cruz](/source/Iohana_Cruz) (born 1980), Cuban diver
* [Jericho Cruz](/source/Jericho_Cruz) (born 1990), Filipino basketball player
* [Jervy Cruz](/source/Jervy_Cruz) (born 1986), Filipino basketball player
* [Joaquim Cruz](/source/Joaquim_Cruz) (born 1963), Brazilian athlete and Olympic gold medal winner
* [Juana Cruz](/source/Juana_Cruz) (1917–1981), Spanish woman bullfighter
* [Julio Ricardo Cruz](/source/Julio_Ricardo_Cruz) (born 1974), former Argentine soccer player
* [Leo Cruz](/source/Leo_Cruz) (born 1957), Dominican boxing champion
* [Nelson Cruz (athlete)](/source/Nelson_Cruz_(athlete)) (born 1977), long-distance runner from Cape Verde
* [Raúl Ceferino Cruz](/source/Ra%C3%BAl_Ceferino_Cruz) (1934–1985), Argentine chess master
* [Rolando Cruz](/source/Rolando_Cruz) (born 1939), Puerto Rican pole vaulter
* [Roque Santa Cruz](/source/Roque_Santa_Cruz) (born 1981), Paraguayan footballer
* [Victor Cruz](/source/Victor_Cruz_(American_football)) (born 1986), American football player
* [Wendy Cruz](/source/Wendy_Cruz) (born 1976), Dominican cyclist

====Baseball====
* [Fernando Cruz (baseball)](/source/Fernando_Cruz_(baseball)) (born 1990), Puerto Rican baseball player
* [Frank Cruz](/source/Frank_Cruz) (born c. 1959), American college baseball coach
* [Jesús Cruz](/source/Jes%C3%BAs_Cruz) (born 1995), Mexican baseball player
* [José Cruz](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Cruz) also known as Cheo Cruz (born 1947), Puerto Rican baseball player
* [José Cruz Jr.](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Cruz_Jr.) (born 1974), Puerto Rican baseball player
* [Juan Cruz](/source/Juan_Cruz_(baseball)) (born 1978), Dominican baseball player
* [Luis Cruz](/source/Luis_Cruz) (born 1984), American baseball player
* [Nelson Cruz](/source/Nelson_Cruz) (born 1980), baseball outfielder from Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic
* [Nelson Cruz (pitcher)](/source/Nelson_Cruz_(pitcher)) (born 1972), baseball pitcher from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
* [Oneil Cruz](/source/Oneil_Cruz) (born 1998), Dominican baseball player

====Volleyball====
* [Áurea Cruz](/source/%C3%81urea_Cruz) (born 1982), Puerto Rican volleyball player
* [Eva Cruz](/source/Eva_Cruz) (born 1974), Puerto Rican volleyball player
* [Flávio Cruz](/source/Fl%C3%A1vio_Cruz) (born 1982), Portuguese volleyball player
* [Jacqueline Cruz Silva](/source/Jackie_Silva) (born 1962), Brazilian beach volleyball player

===As a given name===
* [Cruz Beckham](/source/Cruz_Beckham) (born 2005), British singer and musician, son of [David Beckham](/source/David_Beckham)
* [Cruz Bustamante](/source/Cruz_Bustamante) (born 1953), American politician
* [Cruz Hewitt](/source/Cruz_Hewitt) (born 2008), Australian tennis player
* [Cruz Martínez Esteruelas](/source/Cruz_Mart%C3%ADnez_Esteruelas) (1932–2000), Spanish politician
* [Cruz Reynoso](/source/Cruz_Reynoso) (1932–2021), American civil rights lawyer and jurist
* [Cruz Teng](/source/Cruz_Teng) (born 1979), Singaporean former radio host

==Fictional characters==
* Artemio Cruz, protagonist of the novel ''[La muerte de Artemio Cruz](/source/La_muerte_de_Artemio_Cruz)'' by [Carlos Fuentes](/source/Carlos_Fuentes)
* [Brian Cruz (Tag)](/source/Tag_(comics)), a mutant character in [Marvel Comics](/source/Marvel_Comics)
* Ernesto De La Cruz, the main antagonist of ''[Coco](/source/Coco_(2017_film))''
* [Kaylie Cruz](/source/List_of_Make_It_or_Break_It_characters), fictional character on the ABC Family series, ''[Make It or Break It](/source/Make_It_or_Break_It)''
* [Maritza Cruz](/source/Maritza_Cruz), police sergeant in the television drama ''Third Watch''
* Ramiro "Ram" Cruz, the main protagonist of the games ''[Total Overdose](/source/Total_Overdose)'' and ''[Chili Con Carnage](/source/Chili_Con_Carnage)''
* [Soma Cruz](/source/Soma_Cruz) in the video game ''[Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow](/source/Castlevania%3A_Aria_of_Sorrow)''
* Sonia Cruz, a character in the Netflix series ''[Grand Army](/source/Grand_Army_(TV_series))''
* Rosa and Jiggy "Baseball" Cruz, characters in the British comic book series ''[MPH](/source/MPH_(comics))''
* [Jessica Cruz](/source/Jessica_Cruz), a [Green Lantern](/source/Green_Lantern) from [DC Comics](/source/DC_Comics).
* Cruz Ramirez, a character in ''[Cars 3](/source/Cars_3)''
* Cruz, a character in ''[Elena of Avalor](/source/Elena_of_Avalor)''

==See also==
* [Cruz (disambiguation)](/source/Cruz_(disambiguation)), other meanings
* [De la Cruz](/source/De_la_Cruz) surname page
* [Santa Cruz (disambiguation)](/source/Santa_Cruz_(disambiguation))
* [Veracruz (disambiguation)](/source/Veracruz_(disambiguation))
* [Croce](/source/Croce_(surname))
* [Cruise (name)](/source/Cruise_(name))
* [Cruiser (disambiguation)](/source/Cruiser_(disambiguation))
* [Cruising (disambiguation)](/source/Cruising_(disambiguation))
* [Cruse (disambiguation)](/source/Cruse_(disambiguation))
* [Cruze (disambiguation)](/source/Cruze_(disambiguation))
* [Cruzer](/source/Cruzer)
* [Kruse (disambiguation)](/source/Kruse_(disambiguation))

{{Surname|Cruz}}

Category:Portuguese-language surnames
Category:Spanish-language surnames
Category:Surnames of Spanish origin

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cruz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruz) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruz?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.