Nameday

A nameday is a tradition in which individuals celebrate on the feast day of the saint or religious figure associated with their given name. Historically linked to Christian liturgical calendars, particularly Catholic and Orthodox customs, the day corresponds to the saint's feast date and the practice often reflects the belief that a name carries patronage or protection.

The nameday is especially prominent in many European countries, including Greece, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania, Bulgaria, Sweden, Finland, and parts of the Baltics and Balkans. It is also observed in some Latin American communities and among immigrant populations. Many countries maintain public name calendars or saint calendars listing official namedays, which are often published in newspapers or annual almanacs.

Celebrations commonly involve well-wishes, cards, flowers, or small gifts, and in some places a social gathering, meal, or cake. In several countries, the nameday is celebrated with the same social importance as a birthday, while in others it is a more modest occasion. The practice is often accompanied by religious observance, though secular communities may treat it as a cultural tradition rather than a religious obligation.

The date is tied to the saint's feast day or to a namesake's day, and many people have multiple namedays if their name corresponds to several saints. The tradition varies in prominence, and in many societies secularization has reduced its importance. Namedays remain distinct from birthdays because they are tied to a name rather than the individual's date of birth.