Cru

♀ Girl

Pronounced KROO /ˈkruː/High

Meaning: Cru reads as a short form of Cruz, from Spanish for 'cross', or as a spelling of the English word 'crew'. Which route a family intends is uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A punchy one-beat name: Cru echoes Cruz ('cross') or the word 'crew' (said 'KROO'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowSpanish, English

MeaningCru reads as a short form of Cruz, from Spanish for 'cross', or as a spelling of the English word 'crew'. Which route a family intends is uncertain, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#11297 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births8 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 34

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cru reads as a short form of Cruz, from Spanish for 'cross', or as a stylized 'crew'. The two routes are uncertain, which we note (said 'KROO').

For girls in the U.S. it appears only rarely, against unisex and boys' use. Short, punchy, and modern.

Did you know? Cru sits between Cruz ('cross') and the word 'crew' — a crisp, modern single-beat name whose routes are uncertain, which we note. Said 'KROO'.

Overall data confidence 34%

References — Cru — Short form of Cruz / word 'crew'; routes uncertain

Variations

CruzCrewCrue

Nicknames

Cru-CruRoo

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Cru…

Cruz— a base name Cru can trim

Crew— the word-name Cru can echo

Blue— a like short modern word-name

Lux— a similar crisp one-beat pick

Explore names like Cru

By themeuncertain modern word-name short

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Cru mean?

Cru reads as a short form of Cruz ('cross') or the word 'crew'; the routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Cru?

It's said KROO /ˈkruː/ — one syllable, rhyming with 'true'.

Is Cru a boy or girl name?

Here Cru is used as a girl's name; it can be used across sexes.

How popular is Cru?

Cru is a very rare name for girls in the U.S.