Didacus

Didacus is a masculine given name found in Latin and ecclesiastical Latin sources, often considered the Latin form of the Spanish name Diego. In historical use, Didacus appears in hagiography and church records, most notably in reference to Saint Didacus of Alcalá, also known as Didacus or Diego de Alcalá, a 15th-century Franciscan lay brother venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.

Saint Didacus of Alcalá lived in Spain and is remembered for his piety and alleged خدمة of the poor and sick. He was canonized by the Catholic Church, and his feast day is observed on November 13 in many liturgical calendars. In Hispanic and Latin Christian tradition, he is sometimes portrayed as a model of humble service and peacemaking.

The name's legacy extends into toponyms and institutions associated with California and the Spanish missions. The city of San Diego, California, is named in honor of Saint Didacus, and Mission San Diego de Alcalá was established in 1769 as the first of the California missions, reflecting the saint’s influence on regional naming. In modern times, the Latin form Didacus is rarely used as a given name outside of scholarly or liturgical contexts; more common contemporary variants include Diego in Spanish-speaking communities and Diogo in Portuguese-speaking contexts.

Overall, Didacus functions as a historical and religious name with cultural influence largely tied to Saint Didacus of Alcalá and the naming of San Diego and related mission sites.