Lupe is a unique and distinctive given name that has its roots in Mexican culture. It is a short form of the Spanish female given name Guadalupe, which means "River of Wolves" or "Waters of the Wolf." This name is derived from the patron saint of Mexico, Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is believed to have appeared to an indigenous man named Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill in 1531.
The story goes that Juan Diego was instructed by the Virgin Mary to go to the bishop and ask for a church to be built in her honor. However, when Juan Diego arrived at the bishop's residence, he was initially met with skepticism. To prove herself, Our Lady of Guadalupe told Juan Diego to gather roses from the top of Tepeyac Hill, despite it being December and there being no flowers due to the cold weather. When Juan Diego returned to the bishop with his cloak full of roses, he found that an image of Our Lady had been miraculously imprinted on the fabric.
From this story, the name Guadalupe became synonymous with miracles and faith in Mexico. It is often given to girls born around the time of the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which falls on December 12th each year.
While Lupe may be less commonly used as a standalone given name in other parts of the world, it remains popular among families of Mexican descent who wish to honor their cultural heritage. It is also sometimes used as a unisex name, although it is more often associated with females.
In terms of its sound and appearance, Lupe is a short, catchy name that rolls off the tongue easily. It consists of just three letters, making it simple yet distinctive. Its spelling is straightforward, with no unusual characters or silent letters to trip up pronunciation.
Overall, Lupe is a name with deep cultural significance and a unique history tied to one of Mexico's most important religious figures. Whether used as a standalone given name or as a short form of Guadalupe, it remains a beloved choice among families who wish to honor their Mexican heritage.
The name Lupe has seen a significant fluctuation in its popularity over the years in the United States. According to the provided statistics, it peaked in the early 1900s with around 35 births in 1905 and reached an all-time high of 443 births in 1927.
However, starting from the late 1920s, there was a steady decline in the number of babies named Lupe. By the early 1980s, the name's popularity had significantly dwindled, with only around 50 births recorded per year. This trend continued into the 1990s and 2000s, with fewer than 50 births annually.
In recent years, the name Lupe has seen a slight resurgence in popularity, with around 5-10 births recorded each year since 2012. Despite this minor increase, the name remains relatively uncommon compared to its peak in the early 1900s.
In total, there have been 18,606 births of the name Lupe in the United States since the late 1800s. While it may not be as popular as it once was, the name Lupe still has a notable presence and continues to be given to newborn babies each year.