Diego in Chinese
Diego in Chinese is 迭戈 (Dié Gē).
- Origin
- Spanish
- Meaning
- supplanter
Etymologically, Diego is Spanish and is commonly glossed as "supplanter". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1887 and peaked in 2006. Names sharing the same root meaning include James, Jacob, Jamie, Jacqueline.
3 ways to write Diego
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
迭戈
Dié Gē
The standard transliteration of Diego: 迭 (dié, "alternately (phonetic 'die')"), 戈 (gē, "dagger-axe (phonetic 'go')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Each character maps to one sound of the English name: 迭 (dié) carries "die", 戈 (gē) carries "go". The tone contour is 2-1 (rising, high level). 戈 is kept because it is the established form, even though it an ancient dagger-axe (weapon) by itself.
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 迭
dié
Tone 2 · 9 strokes (simplified)
alternately (phonetic 'die')
- 戈
gē
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
dagger-axe (phonetic 'go')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
子毅
Zǐ Yì
Inspired by "supplanter": 子 (zǐ, "son, child; master (honorific)") + 毅 (yì, "resolute, persevering"), expressing elegance and good character.
Why these characters?
Diego's meaning ("supplanter") has no direct Chinese equivalent, so 子 (son, child; master (honorific)) and 毅 (resolute, persevering) express elegance and good character instead.
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 子
zǐ
Tone 3 · 3 strokes (simplified)
son, child; master (honorific)
- 毅
yì
Tone 4 · 15 strokes (simplified)
resolute, persevering
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
迪博
Dí Bó
迪 (dí, "to enlighten, guide") + 博 (bó, "broad, learned"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
迪 (dí) sounds close to the opening "die" of Diego (compare 迭 dié) but means "to enlighten, guide"; 博 adds "broad, learned".
Character breakdown
21 strokes total (simplified)- 迪
dí
Tone 2 · 9 strokes (simplified)
to enlighten, guide
- 博
bó
Tone 2 · 12 strokes (simplified)
broad, learned
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Diego
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Diego ranked 137 among names recorded for boys, with 16,414 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 103,792 boys named Diego since 1887, with the high point in 2006 (8,400 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #308 to #129 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2006
- Peak decade
- 2000s
- First year
- 1887
- Total since 1880
- 103,792
More About Diego in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Diego offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Diego, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include James in Chinese, Jacob in Chinese, Jamie in Chinese, Jacqueline in Chinese, Jake in Chinese, and Jimmy in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in James in Chinese, Jacob in Chinese, and Jamie in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Jacqueline in Chinese, Jake in Chinese, Jimmy in Chinese, Jake in Chinese, and Jorge in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Diego, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Diego to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Diego in Chinese characters?
迭戈 (Dié Gē), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 迭戈 have?
13 strokes in simplified form; per character: 迭 9, 戈 4.
How popular is the name Diego?
US Social Security records show 103,792 boys named Diego since 1887, with the high point in 2006 (8,400 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #308 to #129 among boys.