Dymphna

The name Dymphna is primarily associated with Saint Dymphna, a 7th-century Irish virgin martyr. According to legend, she was the daughter of a pagan Irish king and a devout Christian mother. After her mother's death, her father became mentally unstable and sought to marry Dymphna due to her resemblance to his late wife. To escape his incestuous intentions, Dymphna fled to Geel, Belgium, with her confessor, Saint Gerebernus.

In Geel, Dymphna became known for her charitable works, particularly among the poor and sick. Her father eventually tracked her down, and when she refused to return with him, he ordered the beheading of Gerebernus and then Dymphna herself. She is venerated as the patron saint of those suffering from mental illness, nervous disorders, and epilepsy, and also of runaways and victims of incest. Her shrine in Geel has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, leading to the name's strong association with the region.