What Does the Name Santiago Mean?
Santiago is a boy's name of Spanish origin meaning “Saint James.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Santiago |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Spanish |
| Meaning | Saint James |
| Variants | Diego, Iago, Jaime, Tiago |
| Popularity | The most popular boys' name in several Latin American countries and rising steadily in the US, now in the top 100. |
The meaning and origin of Santiago
The name Santiago means “Saint James” and has Spanish origins. Santiago is a Spanish name combining 'Santo' (saint) and 'Yago' (James), referring to Saint James the Greater, patron saint of Spain. The city of Santiago de Compostela, a major pilgrimage destination, bears this name.
Variants and related names
Santiago is related to several other names you may recognize: Diego, Iago, Jaime, Tiago. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Santiago?
The most popular boys' name in several Latin American countries and rising steadily in the US, now in the top 100.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Santiago mean?+
The name Santiago means “Saint James” and is of Spanish origin.
What is the origin of the name Santiago?+
Santiago originates from Spanish.
Is Santiago a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Santiago has trended in the US over time.
Santiago by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press