Martinez is a distinguished and widely recognized surname of Spanish origin, derived from the Basque word 'martitz', meaning 'between the hills'. It is predominantly found among individuals of Hispanic descent, particularly in Spain, Latin America, and countries with significant Spanish-speaking populations such as the United States. Martinez is also one of the most common surnames worldwide, ranking among the top 100 last names globally. The name has been popularized by various notable figures throughout history, contributing to its widespread recognition and use today.
The name Martinez experienced a significant rise in popularity from the late 1940s to the mid-1970s, with a peak of 29 births in 1975. After this period, its prevalence declined steadily until the early 2000s, with notable drops occurring between 1986 and 1993, and again from 2001 onwards. Since 2012, there have been fewer than 15 Martinez births per year.