Spanish
San Diego
California (CA)est. 1769pop. 1,388,320/san dee-AY-goh/
The meaning
“Saint Diego”
How it got the name
Cabrillo called the bay San Miguel in 1542. Sixty years later Sebastian Vizcaino renamed it for his flagship, the San Diego, itself named for the Franciscan Saint Didacus of Alcala. Vizcaino's name held, and the 1769 mission — the first in Alta California — made it permanent.
Former names
- San Miguel
- Kosa'aay (Kumeyaay)
- San Diego