Greeks and Cypriots celebrate name days much in the same way that birthdays are celebrated… minus the birthday cake!
The tradition stems from antiquity when newborn children were named after one of their grandparents so that names could continue down the family line. This tradition served to strengthen the value of a ‘name’.
In Christianity, the Greek Orthodox Church stepped in and children were named after their ancestors, who in turn were named after a saint or martyr. People who aren’t named after saints celebrate their name day on All Saints Day.
Most name days are fixed apart from those that float during Easter, such as Anastasios and Anastasia on Easter Sunday, Zoe, the Friday after Easter, and George.
Usually, people give out sweets on their name days and leave their house open to well-wishers.
