Question from Eliborio on 12/11/2007: 
Why do we call the Virgin Mary the Virgin of Guadalupe? Guadalupe is the name of someone. Why Guadalupe?
Answer by Catholic Answers on 12/11/2007:
Eliborio--
Originally, Guadalupe was not a proper name for a woman but referred to the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, then to the church that contained the image, and then to the town that grew up around the church (source). It is also believed that the word Guadalupe may have been a Spanish mistranslation of the Aztec word Coatlallope, which means "one who treads on snakes" (source). In time, the word Guadalupe began to be used as a proper name for infant girls in honor of the Virgin Mary, much as the names Lourdes and Fatima have also been given to girls in honor of Mary.
Michelle Arnold
In the Mexican community, Guadalupe is also an appropriate name for a male. . . .Also, She names Herself thus. . . ".. .and that he would properly name her beloved Image thus: THE PERFECT VIRGIN, HOLY MARY OF GUADALUPE.. ." (Nican Mopohua #208)
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