The name of the Church of San Lorenzo Panisperna is at the centre of a long debate. According to some people, it comes from the custom of the Poor Clare nuns of giving bread and "perna" (ham) the poors during the feast of San Lorenzo. According to other people, the name comes from the fact that the building was erected exactly in the place where the saint was martyred. "Palis" and "sterno" would refer to the burning gridiron that was used to torture the saint.