Soledad

“Solitude”; as a name, a reference to Mary under the title María de la Soledad.

Soledad is a Spanish feminine name meaning “solitude”, taken from the title María de la Soledad. In Catholic tradition, this recalls Mary’s solitude after the death of Jesus. That devotional setting gives the name a more specific background than the everyday word alone conveys. The Spanish noun has its roots in Latin solitas, also meaning “solitude”. In Spanish, Soledad has three syllables, so-le-DAD, with the emphasis on the last. The two d sounds are softer than a firm English d in a typical Spanish pronunciation. Its rounded opening and strongly stressed ending give it a flowing yet deliberate rhythm. To the ear, that combination has a composed elegance.

Etymology: From the Spanish Marian title María de la Soledad. The noun soledad descends from Latin solitas, “solitude”.