Cortez is a Spanish surname and given name derived from the medieval Spanish word "cortés," which means "courteous" or "polite." The name was originally used as a nickname for someone who was considered polite or well-mannered.
The surname Cortez is believed to have originated in Spain, particularly in the regions of Andalusia and Castile. It is thought to have been brought to the Americas by Spanish conquistadors during the 16th century, notably by Hernán Cortés, a Spanish explorer and conqueror who played a significant role in the Spanish colonization of Mexico.
In some cases, Cortez may also be an Italian surname, derived from the word "corte," which means "court." It is believed to have been brought to Italy by Spanish settlers during the medieval period.
Today, Cortez is used as both a given name and a surname throughout Spain, Latin America, and other parts of the world with significant Hispanic populations. Despite its origins, the name has also gained popularity among non-Hispanic individuals, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States and Canada.
In terms of popular culture, the name Cortez has been associated with several notable figures, including Hernán Cortés himself, as well as fictional characters like Tony Montana's real name in the film "Scarface." However, it is important to note that these associations do not necessarily define or limit the meaning and significance of the name Cortez.
The name Cortez has seen a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century. Initially, it appears that Cortez was not particularly common, with only five births recorded in both 1882 and 1909. However, starting from 1911, there was a noticeable increase in its usage, with nine births recorded that year.
The popularity of the name Cortez continued to grow throughout the early 20th century, reaching a peak of 346 births in 1990. This trend persisted into the late 1990s and early 2000s, with the highest number of births recorded in recent years being 240 in 1999.
However, since then, there has been a decline in the usage of the name Cortez. Between 2016 and 2023, the number of births decreased from 162 to 83, indicating that it is no longer as popular as it once was. Despite this recent decline, Cortez has still been given to a total of 10720 babies in the United States over the past century.