Paz

Peace.

Paz gives a large idea very little space: three letters hold the Spanish word for peace. That directness is part of its appeal. It can feel quietly expressive without needing an elaborate form, while the written z gives the ending a crisp visual edge. Its religious background and everyday meaning sit comfortably alongside each other. The Marian association may matter to a family with that tradition; the word itself also evokes harmony and relief from conflict. Neither meaning tells us what a person named Paz will be like. The pronunciation is worth hearing before settling on the name. In Latin American Spanish it is /pas/; in much of Spain it is /paθ/. Both are a single, compact beat. For an English speaker, the spelling can invite a voiced z, so a brief pronunciation introduction may help. You may also encounter a Hebrew name written Paz that means “gold”. That is a separate origin, not another translation of the Spanish name. Here, peace is the meaning at the heart of Paz.

Etymology: From the Spanish word paz, descended from Latin pax, pacis. As a feminine name, Paz is associated with Nuestra Señora de la Paz, “Our Lady of Peace”.