Diego is a name of Spanish origin, derived from the given name Santiago. It means "supplanter" or "to replace." The name Santiago has its roots in the Basque country and was initially used as a surname. Over time, it became more popular as a given name.
The name Diego gained popularity during the Middle Ages due to the influence of Saint James (Santiago), who is said to have visited Spain after his death. As a result, many places were named after him, including the city of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain.
In literature, Diego was made famous by Miguel de Cervantes' novel "Don Quixote," where he appears as one of the main characters. This exposure helped to popularize the name further throughout Europe and beyond.
Today, Diego is considered a classic yet stylish choice for a boy's name. It has been used consistently over time but experienced a resurgence in popularity during the late 20th century. According to the Social Security Administration, it ranked among the top 150 most popular names for boys in the United States from 1970 to present day.
Although it shares some similarities with other names like Diego Maradona (an Argentine footballer), there is no specific historical figure or famous person who has significantly influenced its popularity. Instead, Diego stands on its own as a strong and attractive name option due to its rich history and appealing sound.
The name Diego has been given to babies born in the United States for several decades now, with a total of 226 recorded births since 1987. The popularity of this name has varied over time, with peaks and valleys in its usage.
Looking at the annual statistics, we can see that there were six births in 1987 and seven births in 1989. However, it wasn't until 1994 that the number of Diego births started to increase significantly, with ten babies given this name that year. This trend continued through the late 1990s and early 2000s, with peaks in popularity occurring between 2003 and 2006.
In fact, Diego was quite popular during these years, with 16 births recorded in 2003, 24 births each year from 2005 to 2006, and even reaching an all-time high of 24 births in both 2005 and 2006. This suggests that many parents during this time period chose Diego as a name for their newborn sons.
However, after these peak years, the popularity of Diego began to decline once again. There were only seven births recorded in 2013 and five births each year from 2015 to 2019. This decrease may be due to changing trends and preferences among parents when it comes to naming their children.
Despite its fluctuating popularity, Diego remains a name with historical significance in the United States. With over two hundred recorded births since 1987, it is clear that many families have chosen this name for their sons throughout the years. Whether you are considering naming your child Diego or simply appreciate learning about historical naming trends, these statistics provide valuable insight into how this particular name has been received by American parents over time.