Diego

Diego is a masculine given name of Spanish origin. Its exact roots are debated, but it is commonly traced to the Latin Didacus, with the name spreading through the Iberian Peninsula and giving rise to related forms such as Diogo in Portuguese and Tiago/Thiago in Portuguese. In Spanish-speaking regions, Diego developed as an independent given name and has long been used across social strata in Spain and Latin America.

Diego remains a common male name in many Spanish-speaking countries and has a variety of affectionate forms, such as Dieguito, Dieguín, and other diminutives. It is primarily a given name, though it may appear in compound or familial contexts in some cases.

Notable people named Diego include the Argentine footballer Diego Maradona (1960–2020), the Spanish painter Diego Velázquez (1599–1660), the Mexican muralist Diego Rivera (1886–1957), the Mexican actor Diego Luna (born 1979), the Argentine football manager Diego Simeone (born 1970), and the Brazilian-born Spanish footballer Diego Costa (born 1989). The name has a broad presence in sports, arts, and public life across the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking world.

San Diego, the second-largest city in California, derives its name from Saint Didacus, known in Spanish as San Diego. The city and the surrounding region were named in honor of this saint, and the name Diego has carried into toponyms and local institutions associated with the area.