Save Gender Feminine Usage Spanish Pronounced Pron. /bal.βa.ˈne.ɾa/ [key·simplify] Other Forms FormsMaría Valvanera Meaning & History From Latin Vallis Venaria meaning "valley of water veins". This is the name of a title of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de Valvanera, venerated in the monastery of Valvanera as the patron saint of La Rioja, Spain.