MallowbyNames

Diego

dee-EH-go · Originally a shortened form of Santiago, ultimately from the Latin Sanctus Iacobus meaning 'Saint James'; also sometimes connected to the Latin Didacus, meaning 'teaching' or 'instructed'.

2025 rank (boys)
#158
Babies named in 2025
2,351
Peak popularity
2006
2025 frequency
1 in 727 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Declining since 2006

Declining since 2006, #158 for boys today.

Popularity of Diego since 1887

Babies named Diego per year in U.S. Social Security records.

2.8k5.6k8.4k192019602000Most births 2006Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1880s5
1890s0
1900s5
1910s112
1920s197
1930s188
1940s224
1950s350
1960s633
1970s1,244
1980s3,902
1990s13,459
2000s56,041
2010s33,386
2020s16,414

Meaning & origin

Diego has been a consistent presence in American baby name charts since it first appeared in 1887, but its modern trajectory reflects the growing influence of Hispanic culture. The name climbed steeply through the late 20th century, reaching its peak rank in 2006, before entering a gradual decline. Even so, it remains a popular choice, with a 2025 rank of 158 and a frequency of 1 in every 727 boys. Diego is most concentrated in Southwestern states with large Hispanic populations, such as New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Its roots in the Spanish tradition of Santiago give it a strong cultural and religious resonance that has helped it transcend linguistic boundaries.

Diego originated as a medieval Spanish short form of Santiago, the patron saint of Spain, whose name derives from the Latin Sanctus Iacobus (Saint James). Over time it became an independent given name. A separate but debated theory connects Diego to the Latin name Didacus, borne by a 15th-century Spanish saint, though linguistic evidence is uncertain. The name has been in continuous use in Spanish-speaking countries since the Middle Ages and gained popularity in the United States among Hispanic communities.

Where Diego is most popular

Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k boystoo few births

Diego” around the world

Where Diego lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    550

    babies in 2024

  • Ireland

    10

    babies in 2025

  • Quebec

    15

    babies in 2025

Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Didi, Diegui

Variants: Diogo

Sibling names for Diego

Names that share Diego's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Sofia, Valentina, Camila, Lucia, Elena, Alicia, Blanca, Carla, Carmen, Daniela, Elvira, Gabriela, Inez, Itzel, Margarita, Mercedes, Nayeli, Noemi, Sierra, Valeria, Ximena, Yesenia, Abril, Aitana, Alejandra, Alondra, Amaia, Amairany, Ambar, Anahi, Analia, Aracely, Arely, Beatriz, Belen, Benita, Bonita, Brisa, Carolina, Catalina, Cielo, Consuelo, Dayana, Eloisa, Esmeralda, Estefania, Estefany, Estela, Fabiola, Faviola, Felipa, Fernanda, Francisca, Galilea, Grecia, Ileana, Ines, Isabela, Itzayana, Jimena, Julieta, Julissa, Karmen, Katalina, Leonor, Leticia, Lizeth, Lolita, Lorena, Lucero, Luisa, Lupita, Maira, Manuela, Marcela, Mariela, Marisa, Marisol, Martina, Mayra, Mireya, Montserrat, Nathalia, Noelia, Paloma, Pilar, Rebeca, Reina, Reyna, Romina, Rosalia, Rosalinda, Sarahi, Tierra, Valencia, Vanesa, Xiomara, Yajaira, Yamile, Yamileth, Yaretzi, Yaritza, Adelaida, Adelita, Agustina, Amada, Anahy, Anali, Anamaria, Anayeli, Andreina, Aranza, Ariadna, Arizbeth, Azul, Brianda, Briseida, Carlota, Cesia, Citlaly, Clarisa, Damita, Delfina, Eimy, Estefani, Estephanie, Felisa, Florencia, Gema, Gracia, Jacinta, Julisa, Kathia, Lisset, Lucila, Malena, Marbella, Mariajose, Marielena, Markita, Marysol, Matilde, Mayte, Mercedez, Merida, Mirian, Nallely, Nayelli, Nena, Nidia, Nohemi, Odalis, Perla, Priscila, Ria, Romelia, Romona, Rosamaria, Rosana, Rosaura, Samanta, Sarita, Siera, Sonora, Vanita, Viridiana, Xitlali, Xitlaly, Yahaira, Yamilet, Yamilex, Yanet, Yanira, Yaretzy, Yatziri, Ysabel, Ysabella, Zamora, Zoraida, Aixa, Analaura, Analilia, Analucia, Anapaula, Anyeli, Aracelli, Araseli, Argentina, Ariany, Atziri, Azusena, Carmalita, Cintia, Citlally, Constanza, Cristela, Danitza, Digna, Dulcemaria, Erendira, Estefanie, Estephania, Evita, Feliciana, Gimena, Grabiela, Irlanda, Itza, Itzia, Ivania, Jamileth, Jaquita, Jatziry, Jezabel, Lareina, Leonela, Licia, Liset, Loyola, Luisana, Mariafernanda, Mariaisabel, Marianela, Maribella, Marieta, Marifer, Mariposa, Marisabel, Marisella, Maritsa, Massiel, Mayeli, Mercades, Mery, Monserat, Montoya, Monzerrat, Naydelin, Nayelie, Nereyda, Ranita, Rosmery, Rossana, Sheccid, Solimar, Sulma, Syerra, Triana, Xareni, Xaviera, Xitlalli, Yailin, Yamila, Yamilett, Yamilette, Yaneth, Yareni, Yari, Yaritzi, Yatzil, Yeimi, Yeimy, Yetzali, Zitlaly, Zonia, Zuleima, Adelfa, Alegria, Alitzel, Anajulia, Aneliz, Arasely, Aritzel, Armenta, Artemisa, Atalaya, Atziry, Belita, Biviana, Carrera, Catalia, Cathalina, Celita, Darianny, Debanhi, Dulcinea, Elisea, Esperanza, Evelia, Febe, Genoveva, Graciella, Grasiela, Hermela, Ignacia, Itsel, Itzamara, Itzell, Iveth, Iyari, Jamilet, Janitza, Jaretzi, Jissel, Katalia, Kiko, Leidy, Leonila, Macarena, Marimar, Marleni, Martiza, Mersades, Mileidy, Molina, Monse, Moraima, Nayeliz, Nohelia, Omayra, Pahola, Princesa, Quintana, Safira, Santia, Sevilla, Siria, Tita, Trini, Veleta, Vidalia, Yahayra, Yajayra, Yarelli, Yaritzy, Ynez, Yuliet, Yunuen, Yuritza, Anaclara, Clariza, Estephani, Lavida, Marijose, Mija, Yarexi, Alegandra, Alejandria, Anabelen, Anarely, Anitta, Antonieta, Anyela, Aricela, Aymara, Aynara, Cayetana, Chavela, Chimene, Chiquitta, Cintya, Dayane, Elisabel, Estrella, Fany, Icela, Idaliz, Itxel, Itzamar, Juanna, Julitza, Koraima, Korayma, Lety, Lucita, Luzma, Marializ, Mariavictoria, Marsela, Mercadies, Montzerrat, Monzerrath, Morayma, Nalleli, Nathali, Querida, Ramira, Seba, Sitlaly, Solena, Vannia, Xcaret, Ximenna, Xitlally, Yameli, Yarelie, Yarelin, Yarethzi, Yaretsi, Yariela, Yarielys, Yarithza, Yazmina, Yoltzin, Yurani, Yuridiana

Brothers: Mateo, Alejandro, Santiago, Lucas, Javier, Alfredo, Andres, Armando, Cristian, Cruz, Eduardo, Enrique, Fernando, Gustavo, Jaime, Jorge, Josue, Matias, Pedro, Rafael, Rodrigo, Santos, Sergio, Tomas, Vicente, Adolfo, Agustin, Alexandro, Alfonso, Alfonzo, Alonso, Alphonso, Alvaro, Amador, Anibal, Arturo, Benito, Bernabe, Bernardo, Camilo, Carmelo, Cesar, Cordero, Cortez, Cristobal, Domingo, Eliseo, Eloy, Emilio, Esteban, Estevan, Ezequiel, Federico, Felipe, Giovanny, Gonzalo, Guillermo, Hernan, Hilario, Homero, Jairo, Joaquin, Jovani, Jovany, Karlos, Lazaro, Leandro, Leonel, Lucio, Manny, Marcelo, Marco, Marcos, Marquez, Mauricio, Maximo, Moises, Octavio, Pablo, Rey, Reyes, Rico, Rigo, Rodolfo, Salvador, Santana, Tadeo, Ulises, Alphonzo, Amado, Amando, Arsenio, Basilio, Benicio, Blas, Carlito, Cristhian, Cristiano, Cristo, Cristofer, Dimas, Epifanio, Eugenio, Fransisco, Geovanni, Horacio, Jacobo, Jamon, Jeancarlos, Jeronimo, Jomar, Jovanny, Juanpablo, Juaquin, Karmelo, Maceo, Manolo, Matheo, Maximino, Migel, Modesto, Neymar, Osiel, Patricio, Ramone, Richardo, Rojelio, Romero, Roque, Timoteo, Valente, Vidal, Vincente, Xavi, Yovani, Albaro, Alegandro, Andrez, Angelito, Antoino, Aristeo, Carlitos, Casimiro, Cayetano, Chavez, Chico, Christobal, Cirilo, Cisco, Cristoval, Cruzito, Elisandro, Emelio, Emillio, Enrigue, Enrrique, Esteven, Estuardo, Fransico, Froilan, Froylan, Giancarlos, Gillermo, Hernando, Javi, Javiel, Jeancarlo, Jeovani, Jeovany, Justino, Lalo, Leoncio, Lizandro, Martinez, Maximilliano, Missael, Mizael, Nasario, Nilo, Oracio, Perez, Ramir, Recardo, Reginaldo, Rodriguez, Romario, Romulo, Santhiago, Santi, Saulo, Sesar, Teofilo, Tres, Urbano, Vasco, Victorino, Victorio, Yadier, Yoshua, Zacarias, Alanzo, Alexio, Amilio, Armondo, Canelo, Catalino, Cristino, Delfin, Donaldo, Eduin, Edvardo, Eliceo, Erique, Estaban, Estefan, Estiven, Eulises, Favio, Fernandez, Franciso, Fredrico, Gonsalo, Graciano, Gustabo, Jabier, Jhovanny, Jjesus, Jobany, Joncarlos, Jovanie, Juanmiguel, Liandro, Luisenrique, Maciel, Maurico, Maurisio, Messi, Oliverio, Rafa, Romon, Seve, Tenoch, Tirso, Torres, Tulio, Yago, Yancarlos, Yanuel, Ygnacio, Yovany, Inigo, Jhair, Josejulian, Adalid, Alano, Albeiro, Alfonsa, Amiliano, Anyelo, Atzin, Avier, Bravlio, Canuto, Castulo, Cervando, Charvez, Cheo, Cid, Cristofher, Dago, Damaso, Edinson, Eduar, Elisio, Emilliano, Estefano, Estephan, Estiben, Fernado, Franciscojavier, Galo, Gerado, Giomar, Isandro, Javy, Jesua, Josuel, Juandaniel, Laureano, Luismanuel, Luismiguel, Maikol, Manuelito, Ponce, Rangel, Roldan, Santy, Sosa, Thadeo, Torrez, Trevino, Victorhugo, Visente

Names like Diego

Names whose popularity has moved with Diego's over the last 50 years.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

D is for Diego, our favorite little boy.

D is for Diego…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Diego's letter becomes Diego's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Diego's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Diego mean?
Diego is most commonly understood as a Spanish form of James, derived from Santiago (Saint James). It may also be related to the Latin Didacus, meaning 'teaching'.
How popular is the name Diego currently?
As of 2025, Diego ranked 158th in the United States, with approximately 1 in every 727 newborn boys receiving the name.
Is Diego a boy's name or a girl's name?
Diego is almost exclusively used as a masculine name.