Martinez
Primarily a boy's name of Spanish origin with 1,126 recorded births. Also given to 29 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A patrilineal surname from Spanish.
Martinez is a boy's and girl's baby name of Spanish origin, one of the most common Spanish surnames — a patronymic meaning 'son of Martin,' derived from the Latin Martinus ('of Mars, warrior'). Used as a given name, it carries both family heritage and the proud cultural tradition of honoring ancestry through naming.
In Hispanic-American communities, using surnames as given names is a way of maintaining family connections across generations. Martinez as a first name projects strength, cultural pride, and a deep sense of roots — the same qualities that have made it one of the most prevalent surnames in the Spanish-speaking world.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Martinez's final sounds are sharp, distinct — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Martinez follows that masculine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Martinez's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Martinez has 70+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1941.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 17 | #12251 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 74 | #8837 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 129 | #6960 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 264 | #3032 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 230 | #2431 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 192 | #2335 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 116 | #2639 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 98 | #2497 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 6 | #3373 | — |
The Story of Martinez
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1990, Martinez is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Martinez are most likely born between 1980 and 2000.
How rare is Martinez?
With 1,126 total births on record, Martinez remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1941, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1990s with 264 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Martinez by the numbers
- Would fill 23 school buses
- Meeting one Martinez per day would take 3.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(70 years, 1941–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | #13625 |
| 2021 | 6 | #11640 |
| 2020 | 6 | #11488 |
| 2019 | 10 | #7994 |
| 2018 | 13 | #6569 |
| 2016 | 9 | #8575 |
| 2015 | 5 | #13335 |
| 2014 | 10 | #7930 |
| 2012 | 11 | #7376 |
| 2011 | 7 | #10365 |
| 2010 | 9 | #8554 |
| 2009 | 5 | #13778 |
| 2008 | 9 | #8762 |
| 2007 | 10 | #7970 |
| 2006 | 9 | #8494 |
| 2005 | 15 | #5475 |
| 2004 | 17 | #4924 |
| 2003 | 14 | #5449 |
| 2002 | 12 | #5946 |
| 2001 | 14 | #5312 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Martinez as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Martinez has also been given to 29 girls in the U.S. since 1976.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Martinez a boy's or girl's name?
When was Martinez most popular?
How popular is the name Martinez?
Can Martinez be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1941–2022