Mid-May brings one of the most recognizable name days in the Greek calendar: Constantine and Helen on May 21. Around it are several quieter names, from Andronikos and Iounia to Lydia, Emilia, and older forms that are not heard as often today.
This week also carries a heavier date for Greeks. May 19 marks the Day of Remembrance for the Genocide of the Greeks of Pontus, a commemoration that stands apart from the name-day listings but remains part of the week’s historical and cultural weight.
Sunday, May 17
Commemorations: Saints Andronikos and Iounia the Apostles, and Saint Solochon the Martyr.
Those celebrating include:
Andronikos, Androniki, Iounia, Yiounia, Solon, Solonas, Solochon
(Ανδρόνικος, Ανδρονίκη, Ιουνία, Γιουνία, Σόλων, Σόλωνας, Σολόχων)
Monday, May 18
Commemorations: Saints Julia, Faeini, and Galateia.
Those celebrating include:
Ioulia, Iouliani, Ioulitsa, Yioulia, Yioula, Yioulitsa, Tzoulia, Yiouli, Ioulios, Galateia, Galatia, Faeinos, Faeini
(Ιουλία, Ιουλιανή, Ιουλίτσα, Γιουλία, Γιούλα, Γιουλίτσα, Τζούλια, Γιούλη, Ιούλιος, Γαλάτεια, Γαλατία, Φαεινός, Φαεινή)
Tuesday, May 19
Commemorations: Saint Patrikios the Hieromartyr, Saints Theognostos and Theoktistos the Venerable Martyrs, and Saint Menandros. May 19 is also the Day of Remembrance for the Genocide of the Greeks of Pontus.
Those celebrating include:
Patrikios, Patrick, Patrikos, Patrikis, Patritsios, Patritsis, Patrikia, Patrika, Patritsia, Patritsa, Theognostos, Theognostis, Theognosios, Theognosia, Theoktistos, Menandros
(Πατρίκιος, Πάτρικ, Πατρίκος, Πατρίκης, Πατρίτσιος, Πατρίτσης, Πατρικία, Πατρίκα, Πατριτσία, Πατρίτσα, Θεόγνωστος, Θεογνώστης, Θεογνώσιος, Θεογνωσία, Θεόκτιστος, Μένανδρος)
Wednesday, May 20
Commemorations: Saint Thallelaios the physician and martyr, and Saint Lydia of Philippi.
Those celebrating include:
Thallelaios, Thalis, Lydia, Leda, Lyda
(Θαλλελαίος, Θαλής, Λυδία, Λήδα, Λύδα)
Thursday, May 21
Commemorations: Saints Constantine and Helen, and the Ascension of Christ.
Those celebrating include:
Konstantinos, Kostas, Kostis, Kostantinos, Konstantina, Konstantia, Kostantina, Kostoula, Dina, Nadia, Eleni, Elena, Eleanna, Eleana, Elina, Lena, Lenitsa, Lengo, Lenio, Eleonora, Nora, Marilena, Elenaki, Nitsa, Neli, Nefeli
(Κωνσταντίνος, Κώστας, Κωστής, Κωσταντίνος, Κωνσταντίνα, Κωνσταντία, Κωσταντίνα, Κωστούλα, Ντίνα, Νάντια, Ελένη, Έλενα, Ελεάννα, Ελεάνα, Ελίνα, Λένα, Λενίτσα, Λένγκω, Λενιώ, Ελεονόρα, Ελεονώρα, Νόρα, Μαριλένα, Ελενάκι, Νίτσα, Νέλη, Νεφέλη)
Friday, May 22
Commemorations: Saints Emilios and Castus, and Saint Kodratos the Martyr.
Those celebrating include:
Aemilia, Emilia, Emily, Emma, Milia, Aimilios, Milios, Kodros, Kodra
(Αιμιλία, Εμιλία, Έμιλυ, Έμμα, Μίλια, Αιμίλιος, Μίλιος, Κόδρος, Κόδρα)
Saturday, May 23
Commemorations: the Martyrs Seleukos and Salonas the Roman, the Venerable Martyr Loukas of Mytilene, and Mary of Clopas, one of the Myrrhbearers.
No commonly listed Greek name day names are included for this date.