Gender Feminine
Other Forms FormsEstibariz (Basque), Estíbaliz (Spanish spelling)
Meaning & History
Taken from the name of the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Estíbaliz in the area of Álava, Spain.
This sanctuary dates back to the 11th century and is considered "a true jewel of Romanesque art".Folk etymology likes to derive its name from Basque ezti "honey" and balitz "as if it were", intending it to mean "sweet like honey". This notion has, however, long been disproved.
Modern-day academics theorize that it might rather be derived from Aestivalis, and thus ultimately from Latin aestivus "of summer" and aestas "summer", which leads them to the assumption that this name might originally have been given to children born during this season.
This sanctuary dates back to the 11th century and is considered "a true jewel of Romanesque art".Folk etymology likes to derive its name from Basque ezti "honey" and balitz "as if it were", intending it to mean "sweet like honey". This notion has, however, long been disproved.
Modern-day academics theorize that it might rather be derived from Aestivalis, and thus ultimately from Latin aestivus "of summer" and aestas "summer", which leads them to the assumption that this name might originally have been given to children born during this season.