Ignatius of Loyola

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, SJ was a Spanish knight from a local Basque noble family, hermit, priest since 1537, and theologian, who founded the Society of Jesus and, onApril 1541, became its first Superior General. Ignatius emerged as a religious leader during the CounterReformation. Loyolas devotion to the Catholic Church was characterized by absolute obedience to the Pope.

igo Lpez de Loyola was born in the municipality of Azpeitia at the castle of Loyola in todays Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain. He was baptized igo, after St. Enecus Abbot of Oa, a medieval Basque name arguably meaning My little one. It is unclear when he started using Ignatius instead of his baptismal name igo. Ignatius did not intend to change his name but rather adopted for France and Italy a name which he believed was a simple variant of his own, and which was more acceptable among foreigners.

Source: Wikipedia