Cross
The cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two intersecting lines or bars, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally. A cross of oblique lines, in the shape of the Latin letter X, is also termed a saltire in heraldic terminology. Throughout centuries the cross in its various shapes and forms was a symbol of various beliefs.
Meaning & Origin of Cross
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
The cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two intersecting lines or bars, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally. A cross of oblique lines, in the shape of the Latin letter X, is also termed a saltire in heraldic terminology. Throughout centuries the cross in its various shapes and forms was a symbol of various beliefs.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
The Story of Cross
The earliest SSA record of Cross as a baby boy name dates back to 1997, when 43 babies received it. 2021 was its biggest year on record, with 76 newborns named Cross — #1,964 in the national rankings. The 2000s were its strongest decade, accounting for roughly 33% of all recorded Crosss. In the latest 2026 data it stands at #2,460 among baby boy names with 56 births, rising sharply (+16% over the past five years). In total, more than 1K Crosss have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1990s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Names that sound like Cross
Phonetically similar names — useful when Cross is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cross
What does the name Cross mean?
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About the name Cross
Cross is a boy baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1997 and has accumulated 1K births in the dataset. Cross's peak popularity came in 2021 when it ranked #1,642. Use the chart and map above to compare Cross's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 2021 →
- Names of the 2020s →
- Names starting with "C" →
- Browse all boy names →
- Top names of 2026 →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.