As summer begins to wane, name day celebrations remain a highlight for Greek-American families. These days bring warmth to the end of August, whether you’re gathering with family, calling loved ones, or honoring local customs from your village back in Greece.
Sunday, August 24
Names: Aitolia; Eutychia, Eutychoula, Effie, Eutychios, Eutychis (Αιτωλία, Ευτυχία, Ευτυχούλα, Έφη, Ευτύχιος, Ευτύχης)
Who’s honored: Saint Kosmas of Aetolia; Saint Eutychios the Hieromartyr
Regional Spotlight: Kosmas of Aetolia is especially revered in western Greece and among families with roots in Epirus and Aetolia.
Monday, August 25
Names: Bartholomew, Titos, Titas, Tita (Βαρθολομαίος, Τίτος, Τίτης, Τίτα, Τίτη)
Who’s honored: Apostle Bartholomew; Apostle Titus
Note: These names, though less common in the U.S., are widely celebrated in Greece and Cyprus.
Tuesday, August 26
Names: Adrianis, Andrianis, Andriana, Andriana, Adrianos; Natalia, Natalina, Natali (Αδριανή, Ανδριαννή, Ανδριάνα, Αντριάνα, Αδριανός, Ναταλία, Ναταλίνα, Ναταλή, Νάταλι)
Who’s honored: Saints Adrianos and Natalia
Wednesday, August 27
Names: Arkadios, Arkadis, Arkadia, Arkada; Liverios, Lymperis, Limperios, Liveris; Osios, Osia; Fanouria, Fani, Fanoula, Fanourios, Fanouris, Fanis, Nouris (Αρκάδιος, Αρκάδης, Αρκαδία, Αρκάδα, Λιβέριος, Λυμπέρης, Λιμπέρης, Λιμπέριος, Λιβέρης, Όσιος, Οσία, Φανουρία, Φανή, Φανούλα, Φανούριος, Φανούρης, Φάνης, Νούρης)
Who’s honored: Saint Arkadios the King; Saint Liverios Pope of Rome; Saint Fanourios the Great Martyr
Note: Fanourios is the saint of “lost things.” Many bake “Fanouropita” (a special cake) on this day, asking for blessings or lost items to be found.
Thursday, August 28
Names: Damonas, Damonas (Δάμων, Δάμωνας)
Who’s honored: Martyr Damonas the Presbyter
Friday, August 29
Who’s honored: Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (no common name day)
Note: This is a day of fasting in the Orthodox calendar.
Saturday, August 30
Names: Alexandros, Alekos, Alexis, Alex, Alexandra, Alexandra, Alexia, Aleka, Alexo, Alexo, Sandra; Eulalios, Eulalia; Fylakas (Αλέξανδρος, Αλέκος, Αλέξης, Άλεξ, Αλεξάνδρα, Αλεξάντρα, Αλεξία, Αλέκα, Αλέξο, Αλέξω, Σάντρα, Ευλάλιος, Ευλαλία, Φύλακας)
Who’s honored: Saint Alexander Patriarch of Constantinople; Saint Eulalios; Saint Fylakas