With 90% of Greeks identifying as Orthodox Christian, it is not surprising that all of the above are the names of Christian saints.

That is important in order for a child to be baptised and be able to celebrate their name day. In Greece, each name day falls on a specific date (the saint’s day) and are more important than the person’s actual birthday. An example would be those with the Christian name of Georgios, their name day falls on April 23, St. George’s Day.

With regard to females, their name day falls on an appropriate female saint’s day, for example Maria, celebrated on August 15th or November 21st, the day of Dormition, or the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, or on a male saint’s day, from whom their name is derived.

Many choose to celebrate their name day as one might celebrate a birthday, with a party or by taking friends out for a meal or some drinks. Traditionally an ‘open house’ would be held, where anyone could drop in for some food or sweets, however this is changing and is now generally restricted to good friends and by invitation. As always in Greece, it is the person celebrating who treats the guests. Although, if invited out or to a party it is appropriate to bring a small present such as a bottle of wine, flowers or perhaps a card. It is also customary to call and congratulate someone on their name day.

Some names do not have an official ‘name day’ according to the saint’s book or ‘eortologio’. The names that don’t have a specific date dedicated to a saint are celebrated all together on ‘All Saint’s Day’ (Ton Agion Panton). The Orthodox church commemorates all known and unknown saints 56 days after Easter Sunday.

For a list of name days, please click the link below:

Name days