Diego vs Santiago

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
Full profile for Diego →

Santiago

Boy #29 Most Popular 4 Syllables

Meaning

"Saint James"

Origin: Spanish Sant Iago from Latin Sanctus Iacobus

Cultural Roots

Spanish Latin American Portuguese Filipino

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#29
Total SSA Count
7,407
Syllables
4
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Santi, Tiago, Diego

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Santiago →

Popularity Comparison

Diego Rank #145
Santiago Rank #29

Santiago is more popular, ranked #29 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

Santiago ___

  • Santiago Alejandro
  • Santiago Luis
  • Santiago Miguel
  • Santiago Antonio
  • Santiago Rafael
  • Santiago Emilio

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Diego

Mateo Isabella Sofia Lucas Valentina

If you choose Santiago

Valentina Isabella Mateo Camila Lucas

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 Santiago more popular?

Santiago is more popular, ranked #29 compared to Diego at #145 in the United States.

What do Diego and Santiago mean?

Diego means "beloved, may God protect" (Hebrew via Latin origin). Santiago means "Saint James" (Spanish Sant Iago from Latin Sanctus Iacobus origin).

Are Diego and Santiago boy or girl names?

Diego is primarily a boy name. Santiago is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Diego ← Full profile: Santiago Browse all baby names