Regla

Etymology and Meaning

Regla is a Spanish feminine name derived directly from the Spanish word regla, meaning "rule". Its use as a personal name originates from the Marian title Nuestra Señora de Regla ("Our Lady of the Rule"), a devotion to the Virgin Mary associated with a 5th-century statue said to have been brought to Spain by Saint Augustine. The name is especially common in Cuba, where the Virgin of Regla is the patroness of the town of Regla, a municipality within Havana. The town, originally a Taíno settlement called Guaicanamar, was renamed after the Virgin.

Notable Bearers

While Regla is not widely used outside Cuba, it has been borne by notable Cuban figures, including Regla Marcos, a famous astrologer. The name gained some recognition through the Mirabal sisters in the Dominican Republic (though one was named María Antonieta), but its strongest concentration remains in Cuba.

Cultural Significance

The Virgin of Regla, also known in Santería as Yemayá, syncretizes Catholic and Afro-Cuban beliefs, giving the name deep spiritual resonance. In Cuba, Regla is both a given name and a place name, tying together geography and faith.

• Meaning: "rule" in Spanish
• Origin: Spanish
• Type: First name (feminine)
• Usage regions: Spain, Latin America (especially Cuba)