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Home › Baby Names Directory › Iago

Iago

♂ Boy

Pronounced ee-AH-goh /iˈɑː.ɡoʊ/Medium

Meaning: A Spanish, Galician, and Welsh form of James/Jacob, from Hebrew Yaakov ('supplanter; may God protect'). Famously the villain in Shakespeare's 'Othello' and the parrot in Disney's 'Aladdin', which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A classic with an edge: Iago is a Spanish/Welsh form of James (said 'ee-AH-goh') — also Shakespeare's villain, which we note.
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Origin MediumSpanish, Welsh
MeaningA Spanish, Galician, and Welsh form of James/Jacob, from Hebrew Yaakov ('supplanter; may God protect'). Famously the villain in Shakespeare's 'Othello' and the parrot in Disney's 'Aladdin', which we note.
U.S. rank (2025)#12732 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 96

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202220022025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Iago descends from Hebrew Yaakov ('supplanter') through James/Jacob, as a Spanish, Galician, and Welsh form. Its fame is tied to Shakespeare's villain in Othello, which we note (said 'ee-AH-goh').

As a given name it is rare in the U.S., carrying both heritage and literary weight. Rare, classic, and literary.

Did you know? Iago is a Spanish, Galician, and Welsh form of James — but it's best remembered as the scheming villain of Shakespeare's Othello, and the parrot in Disney's Aladdin, which we note (said 'ee-AH-goh').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Iago — Spanish/Welsh form of James/Jacob; Shakespeare's Othello villain

Variations

YagoJagoDiego

Nicknames

IaGo

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Iago…

Diego— a like Spanish form of James
Santiago— a like James-rooted Spanish name
Mateo— a like warm Spanish classic
Domingo— shares the -go ending
Diago— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Iago

By themespanishclassicwelshliterary
By meaningGod / DivineProtector

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Iago mean?

Iago is a Spanish, Galician, and Welsh form of James/Jacob, meaning 'supplanter'; it's also Shakespeare's villain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Iago?

It's said ee-AH-goh /iˈɑː.ɡoʊ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Iago a boy or girl name?

Iago is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Iago?

Iago is rare in the U.S., carrying heritage and literary weight.

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