San Diego
/ˌsæn diˈeɪɡoʊ/noun
A city in southern California, or the name of several places and people honoring Saint Didacus.
Did you know?San Diego is named for Saint Didacus of Alcalá, because Spanish explorers often baptized new places with saints’ names as a kind of colonial blessing and spiritual claim.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Hebrew
Heb
Yaʿaqov
“The name Jacob, later associated with Saint James in many European traditions.”
Late Latin
Latin
Iacobus
“A Latin form of Jacob/James used in Christian naming traditions.”
Old Spanish
Old Spanish
Diago / Diego
“A Spanish personal name ultimately associated with Saint James and later Saint Didacus.”
15th Century
Spanish
San Diego
“Saint Didacus; used in place names to honor the saint.”
18th Century
English
San Diego
“The established English name of the California city and related places.”