Diego — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Italian origin Rank #5,651 in the US 6,141 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#5,651
▲ Up 2290 since 2000
People in the US
6,141
2.08 per 100K people
Origin
Italian
Italian

Origin & Meaning of the Diego Surname

What does the last name Diego mean?

The surname Diego carries the meaning "Of or from." It is derived from the Italian language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 6,141 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Diego ranks as the #5,651 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Diego come from?

The Diego surname has its roots in Italian heritage. Names of Italian origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Diego name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Diego trace back to Italian. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

Italian Italian

Quick Facts

Surname Diego
Meaning Of or from
Origin Italian
Language Italian
US Rank (2010) #5,651
US Count (2010) 6,141
Per 100K People 2.08
First Letter D

Ethnic Distribution of Diego

According to the US Census, the Diego surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 6,141 Americans with the Diego last name.

White 8.5%
Black 2.46%
Hispanic 79.19%
Asian/PI 7.64%
Native American 0.41%
Two+ Races 1.81%
Ethnic distribution of the Diego surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White8.5%
Black2.46%
Hispanic79.19%
Asian/Pacific Islander7.64%
Native American0.41%
Two or More Races1.81%

Popularity of Diego Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Diego surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#7,941
3,864 people
Up 2290
Census 2010
#5,651
6,141 people

The number of Americans with the Diego surname increased by 2,277 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Diego Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Diego ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Diego

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Diego.

Other Italian Surnames

Explore more surnames with Italian roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Italian origin as Diego.

Frequently Asked Questions About Diego

The surname Diego is of Italian origin. Of or from
The surname Diego is ranked #5,651 in the United States with approximately 6,141 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Of or from. The name has Italian roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Diego surname is distributed as: 8.5% White, 79.2% Hispanic, 7.6% Asian/Pacific Islander. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Diego ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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