Névnapot

Névnapot is a Hungarian tradition celebrating the feast day of a saint after whom a person is named. It is similar to a birthday in its celebratory nature but is tied to the religious calendar rather than the date of birth. Many Hungarian names are associated with specific saints, and their corresponding feast days are observed as namedays.

The practice of celebrating namedays is rooted in Christian tradition, where saints were venerated and their feast days were marked. As Christianity spread, it became common for children to be named after saints, and consequently, the saint's feast day became a personal celebration for the individual. In Hungary, this tradition has persisted and evolved into a significant cultural event.

Namedays are often celebrated with family and friends, with gatherings, gifts, and cakes. While birthdays are also celebrated, for many Hungarians, the nameday holds equal or even greater importance, especially among older generations. The specific day of celebration depends on the saint's feast day in the Roman Catholic or Orthodox calendar. A person might have multiple namedays throughout the year if their name is associated with more than one saint, but typically one is chosen for primary celebration. The concept is widespread, with many cultures having similar traditions, but the term névnapot is specific to the Hungarian language and its cultural context.