Mid-July finds many of us enjoying the long days of summer, and name days offer yet another reason to connect. Whether it’s a wish after Sunday liturgy or a call to someone far away, these small gestures keep family and tradition alive. Here’s a look at who’s being celebrated this week, plus a memory from our community that reminds us how these ties endure.
Sunday, July 6
Names: Lykios, Lykias, Lykia, Satyros, Satos, Sisoeis (Λύκιος, Λυκίας, Λυκία, Σάτυρος, Σάτος, Σισώης)
Who’s honored: The Twenty-Four Martyrs, Saint Sisoeis
Regional Spotlight: Saint Sisoeis is venerated in monastic communities across Greece for his humility and ascetic life.
Monday, July 7
Names: Kyriaki, Kyriakitsa, Kiki, Kika, Kikitsa, Kitsa, Korina, Domenica, Sandy, Koula, Odysseas (Κυριακή, Κυριακίτσα, Κική, Κίκα, Κικίτσα, Κίτσα, Κορίνα, Ντομένικα, Σάντυ, Κούλα, Οδυσσέας)
Who’s honored: Saint Kyriaki the Great Martyr, Saint Odysseas the New Martyr
Local Spotlight: St. Kyriaki isn’t the name of a parish in our area, but many families have a Kyriaki in their lives. This is a popular summer name day—Χρόνια Πολλά to all celebrating!
Tuesday, July 8
Names: Theofilos, Theofili, Theofilia, Theoflitsa, Filiώ, Filitsa, Filia, Prokopios, Prokopis, Prokopia (Θεόφιλος, Θεοφίλη, Θεοφιλία, Θεοφιλίτσα, Φιλιώ, Φιλίτσα, Φίλια, Προκόπιος, Προκόπης, Προκοπία)
Who’s honored: Venerable Theofilos the Myrrhgusher, Saint Prokopios the Great Martyr
Also: World Allergy Day
Wednesday, July 9
Names: Pankratios, Pankratia (Παγκράτιος, Παγκρατία)
Who’s honored: Saint Pankratios, Bishop of Taormina
Thursday, July 10
Names: Amalia, Ameli (Αμαλία, Αμελί)
Who’s honored: Saint Amalia
Friday, July 11
Names: Eufimia, Eufimi, Eufi, Efimoula, Efoula, Efimos; Olga (Ευφημία, Εύφημη, Εύφη, Ευφημούλα, Ευφούλα, Εύφημος, Όλγα)
Who’s honored: Saint Eufimia the Great Martyr, Saint Olga Equal-to-the-Apostles
Also: World Population Day
Note: Olga is a name that bridges cultures, found in both Greek and Russian Orthodox traditions—a reminder of the community’s diversity.
Saturday, July 12
Names: Veroniki, Veronika, Vera, Vereniki; Paisios, Paisis, Paisia; Ilarion (Βερονίκη, Βερόνικα, Βέρα, Βερενίκη, Παΐσιος, Παΐσης, Παϊσία, Ιλάριος)
Who’s honored: Saint Veronica the Hemorroissa, Saint Paisios of Mount Athos, Saints Proklos and Ilarion
Spotlight: Saint Paisios of Mount Athos, though a modern saint, is beloved by many Greek-Americans for his spiritual wisdom and the stories passed down from older generations.
Community Spotlight
This week’s story comes from Maria L., Broomall:
“My godmother’s name is Kyriaki. Every year, we call her first thing in the morning, no matter where we are. Sometimes it’s just a quick ‘Χρόνια Πολλά’ before work, but it’s always the first call of the day. It’s a small gesture that means a lot in our family.”
Share Your Name Day Story!
If you have a family recipe, tradition, or a name day story that’s close to your heart, share it with Cosmos Philly at nameday@cosmosphilly.com. Your memory could help others keep the tradition going.
Please note that some names are celebrated more than once in the Greek Orthodox calendar. Here, we highlight the date most widely observed, but your family might honor a different day. If you have a unique tradition, share it with us!
Χρόνια πολλά to everyone celebrating this week—here, in Greece, and wherever you call home!