Amparo is a Spanish feminine given name that derives from the word "amparo," meaning "protection, shelter, refuge." The name is directly associated with the Virgin Mary, specifically through the title Nuestra Señora del Amparo ("Our Lady of Refuge"). This devotion traces its origins to 15th-century Spain. On February 24, 1409, the priest Joan Gilabert Jofré, of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy, witnessed a mentally ill man being lynched en route to a sermon in Valencia. In response, he founded a hospice under the invocation Sancta dels Folls Doña Nostra i Desamparats Innocents ("Our Lady of the Insane and Innocent Forsaken"), aiming to care for those with mental illness. This institution became known as the Hospital dels Folls or Hospital de Santa Maria dels Folls, a pioneering mental health facility. Over time, the devotion broadened to the title Nuestra Señora del Amparo. The name Amparo thus carries deep protection-focused, protective connotations and is linked to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is herself seen as a protector in Catholic faith. Historically, Amparo has been used both as a given name and a place name in Spain and Latin America, with various towns and churches dedicated to Our Lady of Refuge. The name enjoys particular popularity in Spanish-speaking countries. Notable bearers include the Spanish actress Amparo Rivelles (1925–2013) and Mexican singer Amparo Ochoa (1946–1994). The name also appears in the form Ámparo (with the accent), used in Spanish. As a derivative of Marian devotion, Amparo belongs to a class of Spanish virtue names and names referencing holy attributes. It is related to Maria and Mercedes (also via Mary), though Amparo particularly emphasizes the concept of refuge. The masculine equivalent, Amparo, is occasionally used for men in certain cultures. Cultural Significance In addition to its aromatic presence in Spain, the name appears in numerous place names throughout Latin America, such as Amparo, São Paulo in Brazil. These localities often stem from chapels or monasteries founded under the advocation of Nuestra Señora del Amparo, reinforcing the name's connection to protection and Christian piety.