Diego

At a Glance

Origin

Spanish (from Latin/Iberian 'Didacus')

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

dee-AY-gohListen

Diego is a Spanish boy's name, pronounced dee-AY-goh, tracing back to the Iberian/Latin name Didacus. It's often called the Spanish form of Santiago or James, said to mean 'supplanter' — but that's a mix-up of two separate names; Diego's own roots are simply listed as 'of uncertain origin.' On the SSA charts since 1887, it fits the worldly, timeless, classic mold parents look for in a classic name.

Meaning & Origin of Diego

Origin: Spanish (from Latin/Iberian 'Didacus').

A common claim: Diego is widely believed to be the Spanish form of Santiago/James and so to mean 'supplanter.' Actually: Diego actually derives from the Iberian/Latin name Didacus, of uncertain origin — historically a separate name from Santiago/James, despite the common belief that they're the same.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Diego

Popularity of Diego

Diego peaked at #56 in 2006, when 8,403 boys were given the name, and has since eased to #145 in 2024 with 2,506 boys named Diego.

Names Like Diego

These names share Diego’s style, era or origin.

• Agustin
• Alejandro
• Alonso
• Alvaro
• Armando
• Arturo

FAQ

What does the name Diego mean?

Diego is widely believed to be the Spanish form of Santiago/James and so to mean ‘supplanter.’ Diego actually derives from the Iberian/Latin name Didacus, of uncertain origin — historically a separate name from Santiago/James, despite the common belief that they’re the same.

How do you pronounce Diego?

Diego is pronounced dee-AY-goh (IPA: /diˈeɪgoʊ/).

Is Diego a popular name right now?

Diego peaked at #56 in 2006 and is ranked #145 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1887–2024.)

Make Diego Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Diego, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.