Save Gender Feminine Usage Spanish (European, Rare) Pronounced Pron. /ˈkwe.βa/(European Spanish) [key·simplify] Other Forms FormsMaría Cueva, María de la Cueva Meaning & History From the Spanish word cueva meaning "cave", itself from the title of Mary Virgen de la Cueva ("Our Lady of the Cave"), belonging to the town of Esparragosa de Lares (Badajoz, Spain).