Fun Facts About the Name Iago
- 96 babies named Iago: U.S. records list 96 babies given the name Iago from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Iago Mean?
Iago is the Welsh and Galician form of James, a name that goes back to the biblical patriarch Jacob. It descends through Latin Iacobus and Greek Iakobos from Hebrew Ya'aqov. The traditional meaning is "supplanter," from a Hebrew root associated with the heel: in Genesis, Jacob is born grasping the heel of his twin, Esau, and later supplants him in obtaining the birthright and blessing. The exact etymology of Ya'aqov is disputed, so "supplanter" is best understood as the customary interpretation rather than a certain literal translation.
Iago Name History & Origins
Iago entered Welsh from Latin Iacobus, the Christian Latin form used for Jacob and James. It was used in medieval Wales as the Welsh equivalent of James; several rulers of Gwynedd bore the name, including Iago ab Idwal Foel in the tenth century and Iago ab Idwal in the eleventh. In Galicia, the same Latin name developed separately into Iago, the local form of James. The Galician form is tied to devotion to Saint James at Santiago de Compostela; Santiago derives from Latin Sanctus Iacobus, "Saint James."
William Shakespeare's Othello, written around 1603, uses Iago as the play's scheming ensign. That is a famous literary use, not the name's origin: Iago was already established in Welsh and Galician before the play.
How Popular is the Name Iago?
Iago has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2022. Its best rank was #7,971 in 2022.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #12,732 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2024 | #11,412 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2023 | #10,124 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2022 | #7,971 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2021 | #12,839 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2020 | #12,788 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2015 | #12,807 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2014 | #11,238 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2013 | #8,359 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2011 | #13,031 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2010 | #11,256 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2008 | #11,587 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2007 | #13,068 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 2005 | #12,102 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2003 | #11,545 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2002 | #9,841 | 6 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Iago Shapes Your Personality and Life?
Your tendency is to finish whatever you start. You like to use the pen or the needle (writing, fashion design etc). You are loving, compassionate, intuitive and humanitarian. Runs of luck, either good or bad, follow you. You are sympathetic, but at times might be touchy and oversensitive. You may have a gift for writing. You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Iago's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Iago's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.