Boy · 92nd of 24,088
Diego
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
124,028
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2006
Peak Popularity Year
8,423
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Diego stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Diego is a Spanish name with roots tracing back to the Latin 'Didacus' and the Greek word for 'educator'. It generally means 'supplanter' or 'teacher'. The name has evolved through history and gained popularity in Spain during the Middle Ages. Today, it is viewed positively and is often associated with notable figures in art and sports.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/diˈeɪɡoʊ/
Origin
Spanish
Etymology
The name Diego is believed to have originated from the Latin name 'Didacus', which is thought to be derived from the Greek word 'didaktikos', meaning 'educator' or 'teacher'.
Meaning
supplanter, teacher
Language Evolution
Didacus, Diego
Historical Usage
Diego gained popularity in Spain during the Middle Ages, particularly due to the influence of Saint James (Santiago in Spanish), the patron saint of Spain.
Variants & Derivatives
Dieguito, Dieguito, Dago
Modern Popularity & Image
Diego is currently a popular name in Spanish-speaking countries and is often associated with creativity and charisma.
Famous People
Diego Rivera, Diego Maradona, Diego Costa
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 8,423 peak births in 2006
Geographic Spread
Popular across 48 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 10 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1931st of 7545 | 266 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1577th of 6773 | 361 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1232nd of 7552 | 730 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 773rd of 10718 | 1,790 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 331st of 16616 | 11,156 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 92nd of 24088 | 73,926 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 128th of 23106 | 35,555 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 12734th of 27321 | 59 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 10998th of 35406 | 136 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 16495th of 30306 | 44 |