Diego vs Leon

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Diego

Boy #145 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"beloved, may God protect"

Origin: Hebrew via Latin

Cultural Roots

Spanish Latin American Portuguese Italian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#145
Total SSA Count
2,506
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Di, Diegito

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Leon

Boy #141 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"brave, lion-hearted"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English German Spanish French Greek

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#141
Total SSA Count
2,547
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Leo, Lee

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Popularity Comparison

Diego Rank #145
Leon Rank #141

Leon is more popular, ranked #141 vs #145 for Diego.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Diego ___

  • Diego Luis
  • Diego Carlos
  • Diego Alejandro
  • Diego Miguel
  • Diego Antonio
  • Diego Rafael

Leon ___

  • Leon James
  • Leon Alexander
  • Leon Nathaniel
  • Leon Michael
  • Leon Charles
  • Leon Andrew

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Diego

Mateo Isabella Sofia Lucas Valentina

If you choose Leon

Felix Otto Clara Mia Hugo

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Diego or Leon more popular?

Leon is more popular, ranked #141 compared to Diego at #145 in the United States.

What do Diego and Leon mean?

Diego means "beloved, may God protect" (Hebrew via Latin origin). Leon means "brave, lion-hearted" (Latin origin).

Are Diego and Leon boy or girl names?

Diego is primarily a boy name. Leon is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons