Name day
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Name days are a tradition of attaching personal names to each day of the year, and celebrating the association of particular days with those for whom that day is named. It is common in large parts of Europe. The tradition originates from the Christian church calendar and the tradition to name children after saints, although in many countries it has no connection to the church anymore.
Contents |
[edit] History
The celebration of name days has been a tradition in Catholic countries since the Middle Ages. The name days originate in the list of holidays celebrated in commemoration of saints and martyrs of the Catholic Church. For example, the name Karl or Carl (celebrated in Sweden on January 28) was originally Carolus Magnus, the Latin form of Charlemagne, and a commemoration of his death on this date. The church promoted celebration of name days (or rather saints' days) over birthdays, as the latter was seen as a pagan tradition.
Where name days occur an official list is held containing the current assignations of names to days. There are different lists for Finnish, Swedish, Sami, and other countries that celebrate namedays, though some names are celebrated on the same day in many countries. From the 18th century and onwards the list of name days has been modified in Sweden and Finland, but not in other countries.
[edit] Name days in various countries
[edit] Bulgaria
Name days in Bulgaria are associated almost always with Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox celebrations. Some names can be celebrated on more than one day and some have even started following foreign traditions (like Valentina being celebrated on the Catholic St. Valentine's day).
[edit] Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, each day of the year corresponds to a personal name (or several names). People celebrate their name day ("svátek" or more formally "jmeniny") on the date corresponding to their own given name.
Name days are commonly of less importance than birthday to Czech people. However, name day celebrations can be, and often are, held together with friends or co-workers of the same name and in this way it can grow in size and importance.
In the past, by law, parents were not allowed to choose just any name for a child. This has changed, although it is still common to choose the name from the name day calendar. The original list was the Roman Catholic calendar of saints, but changes have been made to reflect the present-day usage of names.
[edit] Finland
Today Finns celebrate their name days (or nimipäivä) according to their given name on the date given by the calendar published by the University of Helsinki Almanac Office (Almanakkatoimisto). Every day except New Year's Day, Christmas Day, and February 29 is a name day. For each day there are names in both Finnish and Swedish; the names are frequently, but not always, cognates. The Almanac Office reviews the lists every year, adding new names as they gain popularity and striking others that have faded into disuse. The university owns the copyright to the lists of names and their corresponding dates.
The Finnish Orthodox Church has its own calendar of name days, corresponding to the feasts of Orthodox saints.
[edit] Greece
In Greece (especially Crete) and Cyprus, it is more common to celebrate name days than birthdays.
According to the Orthodox Church, every day of the year has been dedicated to the memory of a saint or a martyr from the Holy Bible and Holy Tradition. If someone is named after a saint, then there is a big celebration on his or her name day. Gifts are given, festive meals and desserts are prepared, and special preparations are made for an open house in some parts of Greece. Many times, particularly in the North, name days are focused more on the saint, rather than just the individual. Greek-Macedonians commonly wait for people to come to their home for mezedes and serve their guests. It is typical to give children (up to about 14) money as a small gift. On name days and birthdays, the person being celebrated arranges parties and serves the guests, instead of the guests fussing over the honorary person. Usually, name days are on the same date, every year. These are the non-floating name days. There are some floating name days, though, that every year are on a different date.
[edit] Hungary
Name days (in Hungarian: névnap) in Hungary are very popular, often more so than a person's actual birthdate. A person is typically given flowers on their name date by acquaintances, including in the workplace, and the price of flowers often rises around the dates of popular names because of demand.
[edit] Latvia
In Latvia, name days (in Latvian "vārdadienas") are settled on certain dates; each day (except for February 29 in leap year) is a name day. Usually Latvian calendars list up to four names each day - around 1,000 names a year. Recently an extended calendar with around 5,000 names was published, and there are also a few extended calendars found on the Internet listing names even on February 29. February 29 is a popular date to celebrate name days of people who do not have a name day; another such date is May 22. People who do not have name days in ordinary calendars can enjoy many variations when to celebrate - on February 29 or May 22 and, if they have their name in an extended calendar or in the church calendar, on the date listed there (so in leap year such a person can choose from 2 to 4 dates when to celebrate). The Latvian name days calendar is updated at one or two-year intervals; anyone can suggest a name for the calendar, usually by sending an application to the State Language Centre ("Valsts valodas centrs"). Celebrations are quite like birthday celebrations. It is popular to celebrate name days in one's workplace - usually the one that has a name day prepares snacks for well-wishers, and during the day colleagues arrive one after another with flowers, sweets and small presents to greet him. Sometimes, especially in smaller companies, a certain time is set for the main celebrations. At school one is expected to arrive with candy for classmates and teachers. Celebrating name days at home is not as popular as celebrating a birthday, although it may vary depending on the period of time between one's birthday and name day; usually one will eat cake with household members and receive presents.
[edit] Poland
In Poland, name days (imieniny in Polish) are widely celebrated, apart from birthdays, and most calendars contain the names celebrated each day. Name day celebrations in Poland traditionally involve a gathering of friends and family at the celebrant's home at the dinner table, followed by drinking and socializing, similarly to birthday celebrations. The song "Sto lat" is sometimes sung (although the song is usually sung during birthday celebrations). Child celebrants, and often adults too, receive presents, just like on their birthday. Celebrating name day in Poland is sometimes more popular than celebrating birthday.
[edit] Russia
In Russia, name days (именины /imeniny/ in Russian) are celebrated apart from birthdays. Some calendars contain name days, but usually one must buy a special name day calendar. Celebrations range from cards and flowers to full-blown celebrations similar to birthday parties.
[edit] Scandinavia
During medieval times name days were of little significance in the Nordic countries, except for the celebration of patron saints for various guilds. A more widespread celebration of name days began in the 17th century, at first in the royal court and among aristocracy, but successively also among the general population. The Church of Sweden promoted celebration of name days over birthdays, as the latter was seen as a pagan tradition.
[edit] Sweden
From the 18th century onwards, names used by the royal family were introduced to the Swedish list of name days, followed by other common names. In 1901 a comprehensive modernization was made to make list up to date with current names. The monopoly on almanacs, held by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, expired in 1972 and so did the official name day list. Competing name day lists began to emerge but the official list was still in general use until 1986 when consensus of a new list with three names on each day was reached. This list was revised in 1993 and reduced to two names on each day. However, widespread dissatisfaction with the list prompted the Swedish Academy to compile a new two-name list which was finally accepted and brought into use in 2001. Although it does not have the official status of the 1901 or older lists, it is now universally used in Sweden.
[edit] Slovakia
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- (English) Bulgarian Name Days by date.
- (Czech) Czech Name Days by date and name.
- (English) Finnish and Swedish calendars.
- (Greek) Greek Name Days on mobile devices.
- (Latvian) Extended Latvian Name Day calendar — The first alphabetical list contains girls' names; the second boys' names; the third is organized by months.
- (Russian) List of Russian Name Days.
- (Swedish) Swedish names.
