The nameDiego
Diego is a boy's name of Spanish origin, linked to Saint James. It is a classic in Spain and Latin America.
- Boy's name
- Spanish
Meaning
Diego probably comes from Sant Yago, Saint James, read as San Diego. A link with the Greek didakhos, "teacher", has also been suggested, so its origin is discussed.
Origin
Spanish. Saint Didacus, Diego de Alcalá, gave his name to the city of San Diego in California.
History
Diego Velázquez, Diego Rivera and Diego Maradona made the name famous worldwide. It reached the American top 60.
Did you know?
- At the 1986 World Cup, Diego Maradona scored the "Hand of God" goal against England, then one of the greatest goals ever.
- The Mexican painter Diego Rivera was married to Frida Kahlo.
Famous people named Diego
- Diego Velázquez, painter
- Diego Rivera, painter
- Diego Maradona, footballer
- Diego Luna, actor
Popularity of the name Diego
Diego in the United States
Diego was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 56,154 births over the decade, 45% of all recorded babies named Diego. Its rise began around 1991, and it peaked in 2006. Half of all babies named Diego in the United States were born before 2007, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 2,812 births a year.
Diego in the United Kingdom
Diego was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 880 births over the decade, 45% of all recorded babies named Diego. Half of all babies named Diego in the United Kingdom were born before 2015, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 97 births a year.
Diego in France
Diego in Belgium
Diego in Switzerland
Diego in Austria
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Diego
Names from the same generation as Diego, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Diego? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Diego with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Diego side by side with the name of your choice.
Diego in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Diego mean?
Diego probably comes from Sant Yago, Saint James, read as San Diego. A link with the Greek didakhos, "teacher", has also been suggested, so its origin is discussed.
What is the origin of the name Diego?
Spanish. Saint Didacus, Diego de Alcalá, gave his name to the city of San Diego in California.
Is Diego a girl's or a boy's name?
Diego is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Diego?
In 2024, Diego was the 145th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 2,506 births.
What are the variants of the name Diego?
Variants and related names of Diego include Diogo, Jacques, Jakob and James.
What are good sibling names for Diego?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Gracie, Carmen, Natalie and Jade for a sister, Hayden, Evan, Angel and Alan for a brother.
Who are famous people named Diego?
Diego Velázquez, painter; Diego Rivera, painter; Diego Maradona, footballer; Diego Luna, actor.