Not every Greek name has a saint of the same name. By tradition, people with a name that has no feast of its own (an “aneorto” name) celebrate on All Saints' Sunday, the first Sunday after Pentecost, which is dedicated to all the saints.
Typical examples are Electra and Orfeas.
Classical names that do have a name day
Many ancient Greek names are often assumed to have no saint, yet they correspond to saints or martyrs who bore them:
- Aristotelis is celebrated on 14 May (Saints Aristotle and Leander).
- Periklis, Sokratis and Miltiadis celebrate on 10 April, because such names appear among the companions of the martyrs Terence and Pompeius.
- Themistoklis celebrates on 21 December, Aristeidis on 13 September and Xenophon on 26 January.
- Athena, Afroditi and Penelope are linked to 1 September (the Forty Holy Virgin Martyrs), although for Penelope some calendars prefer All Saints' Sunday.
- Daphne is celebrated on Palm Sunday.
If a name is not in the calendar, it is most likely celebrated on All Saints' Sunday. Do ask the family, though: there is often a local or family tradition.