Valvanera

Valvanera is a Spanish Marian name, referring to Nuestra Señora de Valvanera (Our Lady of Valvanera), the patroness of La Rioja, Spain. The name comes from the Monastery of Valvanera, located in a valley in the Sierra de la Demanda mountains. The word 'Valvanera' itself is derived from the Latin 'Vallis Venaria', meaning 'valley of the wellspring' or 'valley of the veins of water', referring to the numerous springs and streams in the area.

The devotion to Our Lady of Valvanera dates back to the 9th century, with a legend of a thief named Nuño Oñez who, after a conversion experience, discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary in a hollow oak tree in the valley. The monastery was built on this site, and the name became associated with the Virgin Mary and the region. As a given name, Valvanera is primarily used in Spain, particularly in La Rioja, as a way to honor the patroness.