Cruz

For other uses, see Cruz (disambiguation).

Cruz
Family name
The Christian Cross
Pronunciation	krooth (Spain), krush (Portugal)
Meaning	Cross
Region of origin	Spain, Portugal
Language(s) of origin	Spanish, Portuguese.
Related names	"Vera Cruz", "Santa Cruz"

Cruz is a surname of Iberian origin, first found in Castile (historical region), Spain. It means “cross,” either the figure or a cross of lines or ways in Spanish and Portuguese. In The Philippines the word is rendered to “krus”, but the Spanish form is used for surnames. The word "Cruz", as well as "Vera Cruz" ("True Cross") and "Santa Cruz" ("Holy Cross") are used as surnames and topological names.

Cruz refers to:

Persons

• Adolfo Cruz (contemporary), Argentine Formula One race car driver
• Alex Cruz (disambiguation), multiple people
• Alexis Cruz (1974–), Puerto Rican-American actor
• Andrés de Santa Cruz (1792–1865), Bolivian, President of Peru and President of Bolivia
• Angel Cruz, a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 180th District
• Annie Cruz, Filipina-American pornographic actress
• Arturo Cruz, Nicaraguan rebel leader
• Áurea Cruz (born 1982), Puerto Rican volleyball player
• Tony Sunshine (Antonio Cruz) , Puerto Rican R&B singer
• Beatriz Cruz (born 1980), Puerto Rican track and field athlete
• Bobby Cruz (born 1937), Puerto Rican salsa singer and religious minister
• Brandon Cruz (born 1962), American actor and musician
• Carlos Cruz (disambiguation), multiple people
• Catalina Cruz, Slovenian-American pornographic actress
• Celia Cruz (1924–2003), Cuban salsa singer
• Claudia Cruz (contemporary), Dominican Miss World contestant 2004
• Dominick Cruz (born 1985), American professional mixed martial artist
• Donna Cruz, Filipina actress and singer
• Edvandro Cruz (born 1978), Brazilian mountaine biker
• Ernesto Gómez Cruz, Mexican actor
• Eva Cruz (born 1974), Puerto Rican volleyball player
• Flavio Cruz (born 1982), Portuguese volleyball player
• Gaspar da Cruz (ca. 1520 – 1570), Portuguese Dominican friar, author of the first European book on China
• Gemma Cruz, Filipino who crowned as Miss International
• Geneva Cruz, Filipino actress and singer
• Iohana Cruz (born 1980), Cuban diver
• Jacqueline Cruz Silva (1962–), Brazilian beach volleyball player
• Joaquim Cruz (born 1963), Brazilian athlete and Olympic gold medal winner
• John Lloyd Cruz, Filipino actor
• José Cruz also known as Cheo Cruz (1947–), Puerto Rican baseball player
• José Cruz, Jr. (born 1974), Puerto Rican baseball player
• Juan Cruz (born 1978), Dominican baseball player
• Juan de la Cruz (1542–91), Spanish friar and poet
• Juan-Carlos Cruz (contemporary), celebrity chef
• Julio Cruz Argentina football striker
• Leo Cruz (1957–), Dominican boxing champion
• Luis Cruz (born 1984), American baseball shortstop
• Magdalena de la Cruz (1487–1560), Spanish Franciscan nun of Cordova
• Monica Cruz (born 1977), Spanish dancer and actress; sister of Penelope Cruz
• Nelson Cruz (outfielder), baseball outfielder from Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic
• Nelson Cruz (pitcher), baseball pitcher from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
• Nelson Cruz (athlete), long-distance runner from Cape Verde
• Nicky Cruz (born 1938), Puerto Rican-American ex-gang leader and religious minister
• Nilo Cruz (born 1962), Cuban-American playwright and Pulitzer prize winner
• Oswaldo Cruz (1872–1917), Brazilian physician, bacteriologist, and epidemiologist
• Penélope Cruz (1974–), Spanish actress
• Rayver Cruz (1989–), Filipino Actor/Dancer
• Rolando Cruz (1939–), Puerto Rican pole vaulter
• Roque Santa Cruz (1981–), Paraguayan football player
• Simon Cruz, A swedish singer of the Glam Metal band Crashdïet.
• Sheryl Cruz (contemporary), Filipino actress
• Sunshine Cruz, Filipino actress
• Taio Cruz (1983–), British singer
• Tomás Cruz (1971–), Puerto Rican, Telecom Analyst for Avaya Government Solutions
• Tirso Cruz III, Filipino actor
• Ulises de la Cruz (1974–), Ecuadorian football player
• Wilson Cruz (1973–), Puerto Rican-American actor
• Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Mexican nun and poet
• Cruz Bustamante (1953–), American politician
• Victor Cruz (American football) (born 1986), wide receiver
• Vincent Cruz, Karate instructor and author
• Wendy Cruz (1976–), Dominican Republic cyclist

Fictional characters

• Soma Cruz in the video game Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
• Cruz, fighter in Def Jam Vendetta and Def Jam: Fight for NY
• Cruz de la Cruz, a central character in John H. Ritter's baseball novel and his family's verisimilitudinous Web site
• Maritza Cruz, police sergeant in the television drama Third Watch
• Tomari Kurusu, character in Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl anime and manga; her last name is derived from Cruz
• Ramiro "Ram" Cruz, the main protagonist of the games Total Overdose and Chili Con Carnage

See also

• Cruz (disambiguation), other meanings
• De la Cruz surname page
• Santa Cruz (disambiguation)
• Veracruz (disambiguation)
• Cruze (disambiguation)
• Cruse (disambiguation)
• Cruise (disambiguation)