Ariza is a unique and captivating name of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "arizona," which means "small spring" in Spanish. The name Ariza is often associated with the state of Arizona in the United States, as it was named after the Spanish explorer Miguel de Peralta, who discovered the area known today as Tucson and referred to it as "La Cuenca de Arizona," meaning "the small spring." However, there is no official record that Ariza has ever been used as a given name in Spain or anywhere else.
The earliest known use of Ariza as a given name was in the United States during the late 19th century. It is possible that the name gained popularity due to the growing interest in Spanish culture and history among Americans at that time, as well as the increasing number of settlers moving to Arizona during its territorial period.
Despite its rarity, Ariza has been used occasionally throughout the years, particularly in the United States. Some notable individuals with this unique name include Ariza Makau, a Kenyan long-distance runner who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics, and Ariza McKenzie, an American actress known for her role in the television series "The Fosters."
In summary, Ariza is an uncommon yet intriguing name of Spanish origin that has been used sparingly throughout history. Its meaning, "small spring," gives it a refreshing and invigorating quality, while its connection to the state of Arizona lends it a sense of adventure and exploration. Although there may not be many people named Ariza today, this distinctive name continues to capture attention with its unique sound and captivating origins.
The name Ariza has seen a varying degree of popularity over the past few decades in the United States. Between 1994 and 2023, there have been a total of 621 babies named Ariza born in the US.
The name's peak popularity came in 2010 with 57 births that year, marking a significant increase from the previous year (31 births in 2009). However, it appears that this trend was short-lived as there was a decrease in the number of babies named Ariza in subsequent years. The following year, 2011, saw 31 births, which is still a high figure compared to many other years.
Interestingly, there were two years where the number of babies named Ariza doubled from the previous year: from 14 in 2003 to 28 in 2004, and from 26 in 2007 to 33 in 2008. This suggests that there may have been periods where the name gained more popularity among parents.
In recent years, the number of babies named Ariza has stabilized around an average of about 25 births per year, with a notable drop to 14 births in 2019 and 21 births in 2023. Despite this, it's clear that the name Ariza continues to be used among parents in the United States.
When looking at the data as a whole, we can see that while the popularity of the name Ariza has fluctuated over time, there has been a consistent number of babies given this name each year since 1994. This suggests that Ariza remains a unique and distinctive name choice for parents in the US.