Guadalupe is a female given name of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish word "Guadalupe," which means "River of the Wolf" or "Wolf River." The name Guadalupe has a rich history and cultural significance in Spain and Latin America.
The name Guadalupe is associated with the Virgin Mary, who is known as Our Lady of Guadalupe. According to Catholic tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to a native Mexican peasant named Juan Diego on December 9, 1531, on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City. She asked him to request that the local bishop build a church in her honor at that location. When Juan Diego returned to the bishop with his request, he was initially met with skepticism and was told to return with some proof of his encounter with the Virgin Mary. On his second visit to the bishop, Juan Diego opened his cloak to reveal the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe imprinted on it, convincing the bishop that his encounter was genuine.
The name Guadalupe became popular in Mexico after this miraculous event and has since been widely used throughout Latin America and Spain. It is considered a patronymic name, meaning that it is derived from the name of a person's father or ancestor. In some cases, it may also be used as a surname.
Today, Guadalupe remains a beloved and popular name in Spanish-speaking communities around the world. It is often associated with faith, devotion, and miraculous events, reflecting its deep-rooted historical significance. Despite its religious connotations, however, the name Guadalupe can be chosen for its unique sound and cultural heritage, regardless of one's personal beliefs or affiliations.
In summary, Guadalupe is a female given name of Spanish origin that means "River of the Wolf" or "Wolf River." It is associated with Our Lady of Guadalupe, who appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico City in 1531. The name has since become popular throughout Latin America and Spain, reflecting its historical significance and cultural heritage.
The name Guadalupe experienced a significant increase in popularity over time, with a total of 25,023 babies named Guadalupe between 1881 and 2023. The peak in usage occurred around the early to mid-1900s, with over 160 births per year recorded from 1918 onwards. The name reached its peak popularity in 1946 with 380 births that year. After a period of stability and high usage throughout the mid-century, Guadalupe's popularity began to decline gradually starting around the late 1950s. By the turn of the century (2000), the number of babies named Guadalupe had decreased significantly, with fewer than 250 births per year recorded between 2000 and 2023.