In Greece, as in other countries with an Orthodox Christian tradition, most first names are linked to a saint or to a feast of the Church. On the day that saint is commemorated, everyone who bears the name celebrates: this is their name day (ονομαστική εορτή, onomastiki eorti).
For many families a name day matters as much as a birthday, if not more. Relatives and friends call or send a message to wish “Chronia polla!” (many years), and the person celebrating often treats visitors to sweets or keeps an open house.
How do I find when a name is celebrated?
Look the name up in the list of names or use the search box. Every name has its own page with the date, the saint commemorated and its variants — for example George is Γιώργος in everyday Greek and Γεώργιος in its formal form.
- Most names are celebrated on a fixed date, such as Catherine (Κατερίνα) on 25 November.
- Some names fall on movable feasts that depend on Easter, such as Lambros and Zoe. See the guide to movable name days.
- Some names have more than one day, such as Athanasios on 18 January and 2 May.
Which calendar is used?
Dates follow the calendar of the Church of Greece (the new calendar). Communities that keep the old calendar celebrate fixed feasts 13 days later; see the guide to the old and new calendar.
Some dates vary by region or family custom. Where there are well-known differences, the name's page mentions them.