Summer is in full swing, and so is the tradition of wishing “Χρόνια πολλά” to friends, cousins, and neighbors—here and back in Greece. A name day is often just the reason we need to reconnect, share a memory, or keep a small family custom alive. Here’s who we’re celebrating this week, and a story from the community to remind us why these traditions matter.
Sunday, June 15
Names: Avgoustinos, Avgoustina, Avgoustos, Avgousta, Ieronimos, Geronimos, Ieronimi, Monica, Mona, Ortisios, Ortisis, Ortisia, Ortansia, Agamemnon, Agisilaos, Agoro, Agoritsa, Rita, Aiolos, Alkistis, Alkmene, Andromeda, Antiope, Aristomenis, Arthouros, Belisarios, Venetios, Venetia, Venizelos, Violeta, Vrasidas, Diagoras, Dikaios, Evelina, Evelin, Ektoras, Elvira, Erifyli, Errikos, Eric, Erotokritos, Evagoras, Euripides, Evridiki, Phaedon, Phaidonas, Pheidias, Fragkiskos, Fratzeska, Yasemi, Yasmina, Yolanda, Glafkos, Electra, Iokasti, Isabella, Kalomoira, Kalypsó, Kanelos, Kanela, Nelli, Kassandra, Kimon, Kimwnas, Kirki, Klara, Kleanthis, Klearchos, Kleomenis, Komninos, Kriton, Kritonas, Kyveli, Laertis, Logothetis, Lykourgos, Lysandros, Mantalena, Manthos, Manthoula, Minoas, Miranda, Mirela, Myrto, Nafsika, Neoklis, Neoptolemos, Niovi, Ofilia, Orfeas, Othon, Othonas, Pagona, Panoraia, Periandros, Praxiteles, Pythagoras, Rodothea, Tereza, Terpsithea, Thelxi, Thrasyvoulos, Thrasos, Timoleon, Agis, Aesop, Alvertos, Alkinoos, Amfitriti, Anaximandros, Androklis, Areti, Aretousa, Erietta, Eri, Errika, Gorgias, Hera, Hero, Iole, Ippokratis, Karolos, Karolina, Malvina, Melissa, Melissa, Napoleon, Semina, Odetti, Zotos, Alfredos, Harmonia, Io, Ivi, Ino, Claire, Lana, Lara, Lila, Lilian, Marissa, Kyrene, Milinoe, Nia, Rea, Yvonne, Beatrice, Aria, Arya, Kallimachos, Krateros, Polykratis, Poulia (and many more)
Who’s honored: All Saints, Father’s Day, Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Jerome, Saint Monica, Saint Ortisios
Also: World Fertility Day, Global Wind Day, Father’s Day (U.S.)
Note: Many of the names listed are honored this Sunday as part of the All Saints’ commemoration—a tradition in Greece and Greek-American communities for names without a specific saint’s feast day.
Monday, June 16
Names: Mnemonios, Tychon, Tichon (Μνημόνιος, Τύχων, Τίχων)
Who’s honored: Saint Mnemonios and Saint Tychon, bishops of Amathus
Regional Spotlight: In Cyprus, Saint Tychon is especially revered as the patron saint of Limassol. His feast day is marked with special services and community gatherings.
Tuesday, June 17
Names: Ismail, Ismailis, Ismaelos, Smailis, Smaelos, Mailis, Maelos, Felix, Filex, Felix, Filekas, Filexa, Fileki, Felixiti (Ισμαήλ, Ισμαήλης, Ισμαήλος, Σμαήλης, Σμαήλος, Μαήλης, Μαήλος, Φήλιξ, Φίληξ, Φίλιξ, Φίληκας, Φίληξα, Φιλήκη, Φηλικίτη)
Who’s honored: Saint Ismail the Martyr, Saint Felix
Also: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
Wednesday, June 18
Names: Erasmus, Leontios, Leontia, Leontina, Leontitsa, Alina, Alena (Έρασμος, Λεόντιος, Λεοντία, Λεοντίνα, Λεοντίτσα, Αλίνα, Αλένα)
Who’s honored: Saint Erasmus, Saint Leontios the Martyr of Aegina, Saint Alina
Thursday, June 19
Names: Paisios, Paisis, Paisia, Ioudas, Zosimos, Zosis, Zisimos, Zisis, Zosimaios, Zosa, Zosimaia (Παΐσιος, Παΐσης, Παϊσία, Ιούδας, Ζώσιμος, Ζώσης, Ζήσιμος, Ζήσης, Ζωσιμαίος, Ζώσα, Ζωσιμαία)
Who’s honored: Saint Paisios the Great, Saint Jude the Apostle, Saint Zosimos
Note: This day honors Saint Paisios the Great of Egypt. The name Paisios has become more familiar in recent years, especially due to the popularity of Saint Paisios of Mount Athos, who is celebrated on July 12.
Friday, June 20
Names: Methodios, Ektoras (Μεθόδιος, Έκτορας)
Who’s honored: Saint Methodios the Hieromartyr, Saint Hector the Martyr
Also: World Refugee Day, World Surfing Day
Saturday, June 21
Names: Afrodissios, Afrodisia (Αφροδίσιος, Αφροδισία)
Who’s honored: Saint Afrodissios
Also: European Music Day, World Hydrography Day
Community Spotlight
This week’s story comes from Niko S. in Broomall:
“My papou was named for St. Methodios, but in our house, we always celebrated on Father’s Day too. Every year, he’d make a toast and remind us that a good name is the best inheritance.”
Share Your Name Day Story!
If there’s a family tradition, a recipe, or a name day memory you want to share, send it to nameday@cosmosphilly.com—your story could help bring someone else a little closer to home.
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!