Diego is a Spanish given name of historical significance and rich meaning. It originated from the Spanish word "dieguez," which means "son of James" or "supporter of James." This name has been popular among the Spanish-speaking community for centuries, with notable figures such as Diego Velázquez, a renowned painter from Spain's Golden Age, and Diego Maradona, an iconic Argentine footballer.
The name Diego is also deeply rooted in Spanish culture and tradition. It was often given to boys born on Saint James' Day (July 25th), who were considered especially lucky and blessed. The popularity of this name has extended beyond the Spanish-speaking world, with notable figures like Diego Luna, a Mexican actor known for his roles in films such as "Y Tu Mamá También" and "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," further popularizing it globally.
In terms of its meaning, Diego carries a strong historical connection to the patron saint of Spain, Saint James (also known as Santiago), who was one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles. As such, people named Diego are often seen as having a deep spiritual or religious significance attached to their name. However, the popularity and appeal of this name extend far beyond its religious connotations, making it a beloved choice for parents across different cultures and backgrounds.
In summary, Diego is a historic Spanish given name with a rich meaning that has been popular among Spanish-speaking communities for centuries. It carries strong religious significance due to its connection to Saint James but remains widely appealing due to its cultural relevance and notable bearers throughout history.
The name Diego has seen a significant rise in popularity in the United States over the past century. According to available records, there were only five births with the name Diego in both 1887 and 1903. However, by 1916, this number had increased to eighteen births.
From the 1920s onwards, the popularity of the name Diego began to grow more steadily. Between 1924 and 1929, there were around twenty-five to thirty births each year. This trend continued throughout the 1930s, with roughly nineteen to twenty-four births annually.
Starting in the 1940s, we see a more significant increase in popularity for the name Diego. There were twenty-nine births in 1947 and thirty-one births in both 1949 and 1950. This growth continued into the 1950s, with around thirty to forty-five births each year.
The 1960s marked a turning point for the name Diego's popularity. Between 1961 and 1973, there were between fifty-four and one hundred seven births annually, indicating a substantial increase in popularity compared to previous decades.
This trend of growing popularity continued into the 1980s and 1990s. From 1982 onwards, over two hundred sixty-two births occurred each year, peaking at twelve hundred ninety-eight births in 1995. The name Diego's popularity reached an all-time high in the United States during this period.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Diego has stabilized and slightly decreased. Between 2006 and 2023, there have been around twenty-seven hundred to eight thousand four hundred births annually, with a total of one hundred twenty-one thousand two hundred forty-five births recorded over this time frame. Despite some fluctuations in recent years, the name Diego remains popular among parents choosing names for their newborn sons.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that the name Diego has seen a consistent increase in popularity over the past century in the United States, with significant growth occurring since the 1960s.