name days
Patron saint holidays
Name days are calendar days associated with particular given names, traditionally tied to the feast days of Christian saints.
In cultures that observe them—especially in parts of Europe—a person celebrates their name day much like a birthday: Happy name day, Maria!
The custom has waned in English-speaking countries but remains significant in Greek, Scandinavian, and Eastern European traditions.
- wishYearned-for outcome
- giftItem given freely
- anniversariesYearly observances of events
- patronRegular supporter or customer
- namesPersonal identifying words
Eastern Europe · Eastern European · naming · saint · tradition · cake · family gathering · customs · orthodoxy · calendar · honoring · Christian tradition · Greek Orthodox · candles · greeting · European · godparent · festivity
- GreeceAcropolis, Parthenon, Athens, Greek, Hellenic
- Greek cultureGreece, Greek mythology, Greek history, Greek cuisine, Greek gods
- namesgiven names, first names, names, surnames, last names
- customscustoms, customs clearance, wedding custom, customs declaration, burial custom
- Icelandic culturesagas, skyr, geothermal pools, naming traditions
- Scandinavian culturehygge, midsummer, sauna, smorgasbord, Lucia