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Sebastián vs Diego

Which is more popular?
Sebastián is more popular than Diego today: about 8,605 US babies were given the name Sebastián in 2025, compared with 2,351 named Diego.
SebastiánDiego
Meaning venerable, revered uncertain; linked to James/Didacus
Origin spanish spanish
Gender Boy Boy
Pronunciation seh-bah-stee-AHN dee-EH-go
Syllables 3 2
First appeared18811887
Peak year2016 (10,309)2006 (8,403)
In 20258,6052,351
TrendRisingDeclining
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Sebastián Diego
1900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeSebastiánDiego
2020s 53,454 16,414
2010s 86,688 33,386
2000s 53,866 56,041
1990s 14,599 13,459
1980s 2,839 3,902
1970s 1,413 1,244
1960s 1,113 633
1950s 500 350
1940s 574 224
1930s 774 188
1920s 1,231 197
1910s 838 112
1900s 89 5
1890s 43 0
1880s 34 5

What does Sebastián mean?

The Spanish form of Sebastian, from the Latin Sebastianus 'from the city of Sebaste', whose name derives from the Greek sebastos 'venerable, revered' (the Greek equivalent of the imperial title Augustus). Borne by the early Christian martyr Saint Sebastian.

What does Diego mean?

A Spanish name of genuinely disputed origin. Traditionally explained as a short form of Santiago (Sant-Yago, 'Saint James', from Hebrew Jacob), but many scholars now derive it instead from the Latin Didacus — itself possibly from the Greek didache 'teaching'. The two theories remain unresolved, so any single 'meaning' should be treated with caution.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sebastián or Diego more popular?

Sebastián is more popular than Diego today: about 8,605 US babies were given the name Sebastián in 2025, compared with 2,351 named Diego.

What is the difference between Sebastián and Diego?

Sebastián means venerable, revered (spanish origin), while Diego means uncertain; linked to James/Didacus (spanish origin).

Which name is older, Sebastián or Diego?

In US records, Sebastián first appears in 1881 and Diego in 1887, so Sebastián has the longer recorded history.