The name Lupe is a Spanish diminutive form of the name Guadalupe, which is derived from the Spanish translation of the Arabic name Wadi al-lubah, meaning "valley of the wolves." The name Guadalupe is associated with the Virgin Mary, who is revered as Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico.

The origin of the name can be traced back to the 16th century when, according to Catholic tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous Mexican, on the hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City in 1531. The Virgin instructed Juan Diego to have a church built on the site, and miraculously imprinted her image on his cloak, known as the tilma.

The earliest recorded use of the name Lupe as a given name is from the 18th century in Mexico, where it was a popular name among Catholic families in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The name gained wider popularity in the Spanish-speaking world and became a common name for girls of Hispanic descent.

One notable historical figure named Lupe is Lupe Vélez, a Mexican-American actress who was a popular Hollywood star in the 1920s and 1930s. She was born María Guadalupe Villarreal Vélez in 1908 and died in 1944.

Another prominent individual with the name Lupe is Lupe Fiasco, an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur, born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco in 1982. He is known for his socially conscious lyrics and activism.

Lupe Ontiveros, an American actress of Mexican descent, was born Guadalupe Ontiveros in 1942 and passed away in 2012. She was known for her roles in films such as "Selena" and "As Good as It Gets."

Lupe Valdez, born Guadalupe Valdez in 1947, is an American law enforcement officer and politician who served as the Sheriff of Dallas County, Texas, from 2005 to 2017.

Lupe Pintor, born Guadalupe Pintor in 1928, was a Mexican-American activist and co-founder of the Community Service Organization, a prominent civil rights organization in California in the 1940s and 1950s.