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Thiago

♂ Boy

Pronounced tee-AH-goh /tʃiˈɑː.ɡoʊ/High

Meaning: Supplanter; he who follows at the heel — Portuguese form of James/Jacob from Hebrew Ya'akovHigh

In 30 seconds: The Portuguese form of James/Jacob meaning 'supplanter,' Thiago has arrived in the U.S. top 200 as a vibrant Latin alternative, especially popular in Brazilian and Spanish-speaking communities.
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Origin HighPortuguese, Hebrew
MeaningSupplanter; he who follows at the heel — Portuguese form of James/Jacob from Hebrew Ya'akov
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 6,899

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201719862017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Thiago is a Portuguese form of Tiago, itself a contraction of Diogo (Diego), the Iberian form of James. All trace to the Latin Jacomus and ultimately the Hebrew Ya'akov, meaning 'supplanter.'

Long popular in Brazil and Portugal, Thiago gained visibility in the U.S. as Latin American communities grew. It is now rising in U.S. birth data alongside names like Santiago and Mateo.

Did you know? Santiago, the famous pilgrimage city in Spain, contains this same name — it combines Sant (Saint) and Iago (James), giving 'Saint James.'

Variations

TiagoSantiagoDiegoIago

Nicknames

ThiThiaguinho

Famous Bearers

  • ★Thiago Silva (1984–)
    Brazilian professional footballer and captain, known for clubs including Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

If you like Thiago…

Santiago— contains the same root name with added saint prefix
Mateo— Spanish/Portuguese Biblical classic with the same Latin warmth
Diego— close Iberian cousin — same James root, similar sound
Miguel— Iberian form of Michael with the same melodic three-syllable feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Thiago mean?

Thiago is a Portuguese form of James, ultimately from the Hebrew Ya'akov, meaning 'supplanter' or 'he who follows at the heel.'

How do you pronounce Thiago?

It is said tee-AH-goh /tʃiˈɑː.ɡoʊ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Thiago a boy or girl name?

Thiago is used exclusively as a boy's name.

How popular is Thiago?

Thiago has been rising in the United States, now among the top 200 boys' names and climbing.