Diego is of Spanish origin, derived from the Visigothic name 'Didacus'. It gained popularity due to Saint Didacus, also known as San Diego de Alcalá, who was canonized in 1498. Diego means 'supplanter' or 'the one who follows', suggesting succession or replacement. It is composed of two elements: 'dei-go' which translates to 'of God'. The name Diego has been widely used across Spanish-speaking countries and has also gained international recognition, notably with figures like Mexican artist Diego Rivera and Argentine footballer Diego Maradona.
"Diego was quite popular from the late 1980s to early 2000s with over a hundred births each year between 1993 and 2007. However, its popularity has since declined, with fewer than ten births annually in recent years."