boys' name · peaked 1990

Cortez

Every Cortez since 1882 — 10,988 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.050.10.150.218801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#1,655
among boys
Babies in 2025
101
named Cortez
Peak year
1990
351 babies
All-time total
10,988
since 1882

The story of Cortez

Cortez is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,655 in 2025 with 101 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1882, 10,988 American babies have been named Cortez. Its peak came in 1990, when 351 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cortez stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Cortez year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 101 #1,655
2024 77 #1,998
2023 84 #1,881
2022 104 #1,655
2021 145 #1,301
2020 124 #1,400
2019 147 #1,272
2018 149 #1,239
2017 176 #1,104
2016 162 #1,177
2015 192 #1,042
2014 195 #1,036
2013 229 #908
2012 195 #1,012
2011 195 #996
2010 214 #941
2009 227 #909
2008 200 #985
2007 205 #960
2006 200 #937
2005 223 #833
2004 185 #919
2003 195 #877
2002 163 #971
2001 205 #813
2000 230 #741
1995 235 #695
1990 5 #13,426 346 #532
1985 191 #637
1980 5 #10,714 108 #852
1975 86 #891
1970 54 #1,118
1965 44 #1,130
1960 43 #1,195
1955 32 #1,345
1950 15 #1,957
1945 14 #1,869
1940
1935 12 #2,150
1930 17 #1,834
1925 17 #1,949
1920 6 #4,504 9 #3,010
1915 5 #4,426 13 #2,092
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Cortez in 2025?

Cortez ranked #1,655 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 101 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Cortez?

10,988 babies have been named Cortez in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Cortez most popular?

Cortez peaked in 1990, when 351 newborns received the name.

Is Cortez a boy or girl name?

Cortez is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Cortez rising or falling?

Cortez is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Cortez

Compare Cortez with similar names →