Meaning & History
Paz is a feminine Hebrew name meaning "gold". It is a relatively modern given name, derived directly from the Hebrew word פָּז (paz), which means "gold". Unlike many biblical names, Paz does not appear in the Hebrew Bible; instead, it emerged in the 20th century as part of a trend favoring short, meaningful nature- and metal-related names in Israel.
The name Paz is sometimes seen as a variant or short form of other names such as Pazia or Paz-El, though it stands independently. Its one-syllable, crisp sound lends itself well to international use, and it has gained some popularity beyond Israel, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries where "paz" means "peace." However, the Hebrew origin and golden meaning remain primary.
Notable bearers
- Paz Vega (born 1976) — Spanish actress, known for films like Sex and Lucia.
- Paz Lenchantin (born 1973) — American musician and bassist for Pixies.
It is important to note that while Vega and Lenchantin share the same name, their etymological connection to gold is from a different root