Paz
PAHZ
Paz is a compact and beautiful name that carries the universal aspiration of peace, used across Spanish, Hebrew, and English-speaking cultures. Its single-syllable strength and clear meaning give it a modern, minimalist appeal that resonates with contemporary naming trends. The name has a warm, international character that feels both ancient and fresh.
At a glance
Paz is a serene Spanish and Portuguese name meaning 'peace', used across genders and associated with the Marian devotion to Our Lady of Peace.
Etymology & History
Paz derives primarily from the Spanish and Latin word for 'peace', ultimately rooted in the Latin pax, which gives us the same family of words as Pax, peace, pacify, pacific, and the liturgical Pax vobiscum. As a given name, Paz has been used in Spanish-speaking countries for many centuries, often in Marian contexts: Our Lady of Peace, Nuestra Senora de la Paz, is a significant Marian title in the Catholic tradition, and Bolivia's administrative capital La Paz takes its name from this Marian dedication. In Hebrew, Paz is a separate and unrelated name meaning 'gold' or 'pure gold', written with different letters and carrying entirely different etymological roots. The Hebrew Paz appears in the Bible in relation to fine gold, and it has been used as a given name in Israel, particularly as a short, modern alternative to longer traditional names. The happy coincidence that Paz means both 'peace' in Spanish and 'gold' in Hebrew has not been lost on parents, and it gives the name a dual cultural richness that adds to its appeal. In English-speaking contexts, Paz is most often encountered as a borrowing from Spanish, particularly through the influence of Spanish-speaking cultures on American and British naming fashions.
Cultural Significance
In Israel, Paz is also used as a given name drawing on its Hebrew meaning of 'gold', making it one of the few names that simultaneously means both 'peace' and 'gold' across different linguistic traditions, a duality that gives the name a quietly luminous quality. In Spanish-speaking cultures, the name has been borne by figures of significant creative and intellectual stature. The Mexican Nobel laureate Octavio Paz, whose surname means 'peace', contributed to the name's literary prestige, whilst the Spanish actress Paz Vega brought it international screen recognition through acclaimed performances in both European and Hollywood productions. Paz de la Huerta extended its visibility in American television and independent cinema. The name also carries devotional resonance in Catholic tradition through its Marian associations with Our Lady of Peace, giving Paz a spiritual dimension that reinforces its meaning. For English-speaking parents, Paz offers something genuinely rare: a one-syllable name of beautiful simplicity that carries the weight of multiple cultural traditions without belonging exclusively to any one of them.
Famous people named Paz
Paz Vega
Spanish actress who gained international recognition for her role in the film 'Sex and Lucia' and later appeared in Hollywood productions.
Paz de la Huerta
American actress and model known for her work in the HBO series 'Boardwalk Empire' and various independent films.
Octavio Paz
Nobel Prize-winning Mexican poet and diplomat, one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century, whose surname means 'peace' in Spanish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Names like Paz
Irene
“Peace”
Irene comes from the ancient Greek Eirene (Εἰρήνη), meaning peace, and was the name of the Greek goddess who personified peaceful times and was one of the Horae, the goddesses of the seasons. The name was adopted early by Christians in honor of Saint Irene of Rome and multiple other martyrs, spreading rapidly across the Roman Empire and into medieval Europe. In Italy, Irene has been a consistent presence for centuries, valued for its classical beauty and its powerful, optimistic meaning.
Pace
“Peaceful step at Easter”
Pace is a crisp, modern-feeling English name with deep medieval roots, used both as a surname and occasionally as a given name across centuries of English usage. Its meaning encompasses both the concept of measured rhythm and movement, and the paschal associations of Easter and renewal. As a given name it feels contemporary and gender-neutral while carrying genuine historical weight.
Paloma
“Dove”
Paloma means 'dove' in Spanish, a symbol of peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit in Christian tradition. It is a name that carries gentle beauty and deep spiritual resonance.
Pax
“Peace, Roman goddess of peace”
Pax is a short, strong, and meaningful name rooted in Roman mythology and Latin language. It rose to wider public awareness after Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt chose it for their son, bringing its minimalist elegance to mainstream attention. The name's brevity and clear meaning make it a compelling modern choice.
Pazit
“Golden, gold”
Pazit is a Hebrew feminine name derived from the root 'paz', meaning fine gold or pure gold. Gold appears throughout the Hebrew scriptures as a symbol of divine glory, wisdom, and incorruptibility: from the gold of the Tabernacle and the Menorah to the gold that adorned the Temple in Jerusalem. A child named Pazit is associated with all these qualities of preciousness and radiance. The name is distinctly Israeli in character, used almost exclusively within Jewish communities, and carries a brightness and warmth that mirrors the metal for which it is named.
Salma
“Peaceful, safe, and serene”
Salma derives from the Arabic root 's-l-m,' which carries meanings of peace, safety, and wholeness. This same root gives us the words 'salaam' and 'Islam,' connecting Salma to a vast linguistic family centred on harmony and wellbeing. The name suggests a person who brings calm and security to those around her.
Where you'll find Paz
Paz shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.