Boy
Spanish / Hebrew
3 syllables
Diego
dee-AY-goh
/diˈeɪ.ɡoʊ/
"The supplanter" — James in Spanish, with all the fire of Latin America
Diego is the Spanish form of James, ultimately tracing back to the Hebrew Jacob meaning he who supplants. The name has been popular across Spain and Latin America for centuries, associated with conquest-era figures and modern cultural icons alike. In the US, Diego's popularity grew with the Latino population and received a major boost from the animated character Go, Diego, Go! — a spin-off of Dora the Explorer.
Quick Facts
Letters5
SyllablesDi · e · go
GenderBoy
OriginSpanish / Hebrew
Root WordDidacus / Jacob
MeaningSupplanter, holder of the heel
PopularityPopular
Peak Year2010
Trend
→ Stable
Name DayJuly 25
Nicknames
Di
About the Name Diego
Diego means supplanter or he who holds the heel, from the Hebrew Jacob through the Spanish form of James. It shares its meaning with Jacob, James, and Santiago.
Diego is in the US top 100 and has been popular for decades, particularly in states with large Hispanic populations. It is one of the most used Spanish names in America.
Yes, Diego is the Spanish evolution of Didacus or Jacobus (James), following a phonological path through Old Spanish. Santiago is a related name meaning Saint James.
Diego Alejandro, Diego Miguel, Diego Rafael, and Diego Antonio are all strong and naturally flowing Spanish-language combinations.
Diegos are often seen as confident, passionate, and energetic — the name carries the vitality of Latin culture and the legacy of artistic and athletic giants.
Both Diego and Santiago are Spanish forms of James/Jacob. Santiago is Santo + Iago (Saint James), while Diego is a separate evolution of the same root.
Personality of Diego
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Diego
Creativity
82%
Elegance
80%
Independence
82%
Intelligence
80%
Strength
86%
Warmth
82%
Famous People Named Diego
D
Diego Rivera
Mexican muralist and political activist, husband of Frida Kahlo
D
Diego Maradona
Argentine football legend, considered one of the greatest players ever
D
Diego Velazquez
17th-century Spanish master painter, Las Meninas
Middle Names for Diego
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Diego
Diego Alejandro
Diego Miguel
Diego Jose
Diego Antonio
Diego Rafael
Diego Fernando
Diego Carlos
Diego Luis
Diego Marco
Diego Angel
Names Similar to Diego
Similar Meaning
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Diego
1200
Diego appears in Spanish records as the vernacular form of Didacus or Jacob
1495
Diego Columbus, son of Christopher Columbus, becomes Governor of Hispaniola
1886
Diego Rivera born; his art defines Mexican cultural identity
2005
Go Diego Go! premieres; Diego becomes one of the most popular Spanish boys' names in the US
Numerology & Symbolism of Diego
4
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
2
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Leo
8
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Gold
💎
Lucky Stone
Citrine
🌸
Lucky Flower
Sunflower
Diego Around the World
How Diego is written in different languages and scripts
دييغو
Arabic
ディエゴ
Japanese
Диего
Russian
디에고
Korean
迭戈
Chinese
Ντιέγο
Greek
डिएगो
Hindi
דִיאֵגוֹ
Hebrew
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