How to say it
di · E · go
diˈeɪ.ɡoʊ
Masculine
Diego
Supplanter
What it means
Spanish form of James (and Jacob), via the medieval Latin Didacus, possibly from Greek didakhē ('teaching') or as a contraction of Santiago (Saint James). Either path connects Diego to James.
Diego is the Spanish cognate of James (and Jacob). The etymology runs through medieval Latin Didacus, which may derive from Greek didakhē ('teaching, instruction') or, by another reading, as a contraction of Santiago (Sant-Iago, 'Saint James'). Either path makes Diego and James the same name in different languages. San Diego (Saint James) the California city was named for him via the saint. Diego Rivera (the Mexican muralist), Diego Maradona (Argentine footballer), and the Dora the Explorer cousin Diego cover most of the cultural surface. The name has been in the US top 200 since 1999.
How to spell Diego
The standard spelling is Diego. Common variants include Santiago, James, Jacobo, but Diego is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #56 in 2006, currently #158 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
San Diego the city, Diego Rivera the muralist, and Diego Maradona the footballer each cover a different generation.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Diego Rivera Mexican muralist, the Detroit Industry frescoes and his marriage to Frida Kahlo
- Diego Maradona Argentine footballer, 1986 World Cup winner, the Hand of God
- San Diego California city named for Saint Didacus of Alcalá
Spelling variants
- Santiago
- James
- Jacobo
Names with the same feeling
See Diego from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Diego mean?
- Spanish form of James (and Jacob), via the medieval Latin Didacus, possibly from Greek didakhē ('teaching') or as a contraction of Santiago (Saint James). Either path connects Diego to James.
- What does Diego mean in Spanish?
- In Spanish, Diego means "Supplanter." Diego is the Spanish cognate of James (and Jacob). The etymology runs through medieval Latin Didacus, which may derive from Greek didakhē ('teaching, instruction') or, by another reading, as a contraction of Santiago (Sant-Iago, 'Saint James'). Either path makes Diego and James the same name in different languages. San Diego (Saint James) the California city was named for him via the saint. Diego Rivera (the Mexican muralist), Diego Maradona (Argentine footballer), and the Dora the Explorer cousin Diego cover most of the cultural surface. The name has been in the US top 200 since 1999.
- How do you pronounce Diego?
- Diego is pronounced diˈeɪ.ɡoʊ. Say it as di-E-go, with the stress on the "e" syllable.
- How do you spell Diego?
- The standard spelling is Diego. Common spelling variants include Santiago, James, Jacobo.
- Is Diego a boy or girl name?
- Diego is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Diego?
- Diego ranked #158 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.