Diego
Diego is a boy's name of Spanish origin.
Meaning
Supplanter or teaching/learned.
Origin and history
Diego is a classic Spanish name derived from the Latinized name Didacus, often considered a Spanish form of James or Jacob. It has maintained steady, strong popularity in the United States over recent decades, consistently ranking within the top 200 male names. The name carries deep historic and cultural resonance across Spanish-speaking regions and the broader Americas.
Popularity in the United States
126,160 babies in the United States have been named Diego since 1880. It ranks #267 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #137.
States where it is most popular
- CA (32 %)
- TX (21 %)
- FL (5 %)
- IL (5 %)
- AZ (4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 112 |
| 1920-1930 | 197 |
| 1930-1940 | 188 |
| 1940-1950 | 224 |
| 1950-1960 | 350 |
| 1960-1970 | 633 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,244 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,902 |
| 1990-2000 | 13,459 |
| 2000-2010 | 56,041 |
| 2010-2019 | 33,386 |
| 2020-2029 | 16,414 |
Famous people named Diego
- Diego Rivera: Painter, Muralist
- Diego Maradona: Athlete, Footballer
- Diego Luna: Actor, Director
Nicknames
Dieguito
Fun facts
- While long linked to Santiago (Saint James), Diego also derives from the Greek word 'didache', meaning teaching or instruction.
- The city of San Diego, California, was named in honor of Saint Didacus in 1602 by Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno.