As September begins, name day traditions continue to connect Greek-American families with their heritage. Whether you are calling relatives in Greece, sharing a meal with friends, or dropping off a plate of homemade sweets, these moments keep our bonds strong.
Sunday, August 31
Today is one of those rare days in the Greek Orthodox calendar without a widely celebrated name day. It offers a gentle pause before the calendar turns to September, a chance to enjoy a quiet Sunday with family, catch up with friends, or prepare for the week of saints and celebrations ahead.
Monday, September 1
Names: Adamantios, Adamantia, Amanda (Αδαμάντιος, Αδαμαντία, Αμάντα); Afrodite, Aphrodite, Afroditi, Aphroditi (Αφροδίτη); Akrivi, Akrivee (Ακριβή); Antigone, Antigoni (Αντιγόνη); Aspasia (Ασπασία); Athena, Athina (Αθηνά); Cleo, Clio (Κλεώ, Κλειώ); Cleopatra, Kleopatra, Patra, Patroula, Cleo (Κλεοπάτρα, Πάτρα, Πατρούλα, Κλεώ); Coralia, Koralia, Koralou (Κοραλία, Κοραλία, Κοράλου); Diamanto, Diamando, Adamandia, Ada (Διαμάντω, Διαμάνδω, Αδαμανδία, Άντα); Dioni (Διώνη); Dodoni, Dodone (Δωδώνη); Efterpi, Evterpi (Ευτέρπη); Elpiniki, Helpiniki (Ελπινίκη); Erasmia, Erasmea (Ερασμία); Erato (Ερατώ); Haido (Χάιδω); Hariklia, Haroula (Χαρίκλεια, Χαρούλα); Ismene, Jasmin, Yasmin, Jasmeen, Yasmeen, Ismini (Ισμήνη, Γιασμίν, Ισμίνι); Joshua, Josh (Ιησούς του Ναυή); Kalliroi, Kaliroi (Καλλιρόη, Καλιρόη); Kallisti, Kalisti (Καλλίστη, Καλίστη); Kleoniki, Kleonikos (Κλεονίκη, Κλεόνικος); Mando, Mandi, Manto (Μαντώ, Μάντι, Μαντώ); Margaret, Margarita (Μαργαρίτα); Marianthi, Marianthe (Μαριάνθη); Meletios, Meletis (Μελέτιος, Μελέτης); Melpomeni, Melpomene (Μελπομένη); Mosho, Moshoula, Moscho, Moschoula (Μόσχω, Μοσχούλα); Ourania, Urania, Rania (Ουρανία, Ράνια); Pandora (Πανδώρα); Penelope, Pinelopi (Πηνελόπη); Polimnia (Πολύμνια); Poliniki, Polynike, Polyna, Polina (Πολυνίκη, Πόλυνα, Πωλίνα); Politimi, Polytimi, Timi (Πολυτίμη, Τίμη); Rallia (Ραλλία); Rallis, Ralis (Ράλλης, Ράλης); Sapfo, Sapho (Σαπφώ); Simeon (Συμεών); Terpsihori, Terpsichori, Terpsi (Τερψιχόρη, Τέρψη); Thalia (Θάλεια); Theano (Θεανώ); Theonimphi, Theonymphi, Theonimfi, Theonymfi (Θεονύμφη)
Who’s honored: Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos of Miaseni and Saint Simeon the Stylite, along with many saints and martyrs remembered on this date
Tuesday, September 2
Names: Mamas (Μάμας)
Who’s honored: Saint Mamas the Martyr, protector of shepherds and animals
Wednesday, September 3
Names: Anthimos (Άνθιμος); Arhontia, Archontia (Αρχοντία); Arhontion (Αρχόντιον); Aristea, Aristi (Αριστέα, Αρίστη); Aristion, Aristeas (Αριστίων, Αριστέας); Phevos, Pheevos, Foibos, Foivos, Foivi, Phoebe (Φοίβος, Φοίβη); Polydoros, Polidoros (Πολύδωρος)
Who’s honored: Hieromartyr Anthimos of Nicomedia, Saint Aristea, Saint Aristion, and Saint Phoebe the Deaconess
Thursday, September 4
Names: Hermioni, Ermione, Ermioni (Ερμιόνη); Moses, Moisis (Μωυσής); Okeanis, Oceanis (Ωκεανίς); Okeanos, Oceanos (Ωκεανός); Rosalia, Rozalia (Ροζαλία)
Who’s honored: Saint Hermione the Virgin, Prophet Moses the God-Seer, and martyrs Okeanis and Okeanos
Friday, September 5
Names: Zaharias, Zachariah, Zechariah and related forms (Ζαχαρίας)
Who’s honored: Prophet Zacharias, father of Saint John the Baptist
Saturday, September 6
Names: Evdoxios (Ευδόξιος); Vivos, Vivi (Βίβος, Βίβη)
Who’s honored: Saint Evdoxios the Martyr and Saint Vivos