Diego Boy

Popularity: #157 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DEE-eh-go //ˈdjeɪɡoʊ//

Origin: Spanish; Italian

Meaning: Spanish: supplanter; Italian: he who replaces

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Diego has its roots in the Latin name "Iacobus," which is derived from the Hebrew name "Ya'aqov" (Jacob). The transformation from Hebrew to Latin occurred as the name was adopted in various forms throughout history, including the Greek "Iakobos." In the process of linguistic evolution, the name underwent phonetic changes, leading to the Old Spanish form "Diego," which emerged in the Middle Ages.

This adaptation reflects the influence of the Iberian Peninsula's linguistic and cultural landscape during the period of the Reconquista, when the Christian kingdoms were re-establishing their presence in Spain after centuries of Moorish rule. Historically, the name Diego is associated with several notable figures, including Saint Diego of Alcalá, a Franciscan friar who lived in the 15th century and was canonized in 1588.

His legacy contributed to the name's significance within the Christian tradition, particularly in Spain and Latin America. The name also appears in literature, with references in works such as Miguel de Cervantes' "Don Quixote," published in the early 17th century, where characters bearing the name reflect the cultural milieu of the time.

Culturally, Diego has been embraced in various artistic and literary contexts, symbolizing qualities such as strength and resilience. The name is often associated with the Spanish heritage and is celebrated in numerous cultural expressions, including music, art, and folklore.

Additionally, diminutive forms like "Dieguito" have emerged, reflecting affection and familiarity. Overall, the name Diego carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its etymological journey and the prominent figures who have borne it throughout the centuries.

Famous people named Diego

In this section, you will find notable people named Diego. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Diego who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Diego who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Diego Maradona is a footballer best known for his time with Napoli, Barcelona, and the Argentina national team.

Diego Rivera is a painter best known for his murals and contributions to the Mexican Mural Movement.

Diego Luna is an actor best known for Y Tu Mamá También, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and The Terminal.

Diego Schwartzman is a tennis player best known for his performances in the ATP Tour and Grand Slam tournaments.

Diego Costa is a footballer best known for his time with Chelsea, Atlético Madrid, and the Spain national team.

Diego Simeone is a football manager and former player best known for his work with Atlético Madrid.

Fictional characters named Diego

The following list of fictional characters named Diego is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Diego is a fictional character from the animated film franchise Ice Age. He is a saber-toothed tiger who becomes an ally of the main characters in their adventures.

Diego is a fictional character from the animated series Go, Diego, Go!. He is a young animal rescuer who helps animals in need and teaches viewers about wildlife.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Diego, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Diego Jr.MateoSantiagoCarlosJavierLuis

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Diego. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

DanteDavidDorianDarioDamonDylan

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Diego was first seen in the United States in 1887.

Diego has ranked as high as #82 nationally, which occurred in 2006, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, and Arizona.

In the past 5 years the name Diego has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Diego is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Diego was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Diego.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 2,356 2,351 5
2024 2,511 2,511 0
2023 2,753 2,747 6
2022 2,970 2,970 0
2021 2,925 2,925 0
2020 2,910 2,910 0
2019 2,995 2,990 5
2018 2,890 2,884 6
2017 3,109 3,102 7
2016 3,208 3,201 7
2015 3,246 3,237 9
2014 3,176 3,171 5
2013 2,921 2,921 0
2012 3,337 3,337 0
2011 3,831 3,824 7
2010 4,719 4,719 0
2009 5,422 5,414 8
2008 6,579 6,572 7
2007 8,236 8,216 20
2006 8,423 8,403 20
2005 6,952 6,942 10
2004 5,895 5,876 19
2003 5,134 5,121 13
2002 3,987 3,979 8
2001 2,843 2,833 10
2000 2,685 2,685 0
1999 2,425 2,416 9
1998 1,812 1,807 5
1997 1,785 1,785 0
1996 1,386 1,380 6
1995 1,305 1,298 7
1994 1,269 1,260 9
1993 924 914 10
1992 896 890 6
1991 884 879 5
1990 836 830 6
1989 759 759 0
1988 601 596 5
1987 530 525 5
1986 421 421 0
1985 343 343 0
1984 317 317 0
1983 275 275 0
1982 262 262 0
1981 211 211 0
1980 193 193 0
1979 144 144 0
1978 136 136 0
1977 152 152 0
1976 119 119 0
1975 145 145 0
1974 133 133 0
1973 108 108 0
1972 103 103 0
1971 101 101 0
1970 103 103 0
1969 82 82 0
1968 57 57 0
1967 67 67 0
1966 79 79 0
1965 67 67 0
1964 65 65 0
1963 59 59 0
1962 54 54 0
1961 58 58 0
1960 45 45 0
1959 52 52 0
1958 62 62 0
1957 42 42 0
1956 27 27 0
1955 33 33 0
1954 33 33 0
1953 30 30 0
1952 19 19 0
1951 21 21 0
1950 31 31 0
1949 31 31 0
1948 20 20 0
1947 29 29 0
1946 19 19 0
1945 15 15 0
1944 22 22 0
1943 22 22 0
1942 29 29 0
1941 23 23 0
1940 14 14 0
1939 14 14 0
1938 20 20 0
1937 19 19 0
1936 16 16 0
1935 24 24 0
1934 20 20 0
1933 24 24 0
1932 19 19 0
1931 17 17 0
1930 15 15 0
1929 27 27 0
1928 21 21 0
1927 20 20 0
1926 25 25 0
1925 14 14 0
1924 29 29 0
1923 17 17 0
1922 13 13 0
1921 17 17 0
1920 14 14 0
1919 20 20 0
1918 13 13 0
1917 9 9 0
1916 18 18 0
1915 10 10 0
1914 9 9 0
1913 9 9 0
1912 9 9 0
1911 7 7 0
1910 8 8 0
1903 5 5 0
1887 5 5 0

Top States for Diego (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 564
23%
CA 520
21%
FL 169
7%
AZ 99
4%
IL 92
4%
NY 89
4%
GA 77
3%
NC 70
3%
VA 54
2%
NJ 54
2%
WA 52
2%
CO 47
2%
TN 45
2%
MD 42
2%
OH 34
1%
NM 30
1%
IN 28
1%
MA 28
1%
OR 26
1%
PA 26
1%
AL 26
1%
KS 25
1%
KY 24
1%
UT 24
1%
OK 23
1%
NV 22
1%
SC 21
1%
MI 21
1%
MN 20
1%
LA 19
1%
WI 18
1%
IA 17
1%
AR 15
1%
DC 13
1%
NE 13
1%
MO 12
0%
CT 12
0%
MS 7
0%
ID 7
0%