Definition

Noun: 1. A personal celebration day: The feast day of the saint after whom a person is named. In many Christian traditions, it is a day for celebration, similar to a birthday.

Usage

The term "name day" is used to refer to the specific calendar date associated with the saint whose name a person bears. It is often celebrated by the individual, their family, and friends.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Her name is Catherine, so she celebrates her name day on November 25th, the feast of Saint Catherine.
  • In Greece, it is common to receive gifts and well-wishes on your name day.
  • He forgot his friend's name day and sent a belated card.

Advanced Usage

• Cultural Tradition: The celebration of name days is a significant cultural tradition in many Orthodox, Catholic, and some Protestant countries (e.g., Greece, Poland, Sweden, Germany). It often holds more social importance than a birthday in some regions.
• "To celebrate one's name day": This is the standard phrase used for the activity.
  • We are gathering to celebrate Maria's name day.

Variants and Related Words

• Feast day (noun): The day on which a saint, religious figure, or important event is commemorated. A "name day" is a personal connection to a saint's feast day.
• Patron saint (noun): A saint regarded as a special guardian. A person's name day is the feast day of their patron saint.

Synonyms

• Saint's day: This is a close synonym, though "saint's day" can refer more generally to the feast day itself, while "name day" emphasizes the personal connection for an individual.

Idioms and Phrases

• "Happy Name Day!": The traditional greeting used to wish someone well on their name day, analogous to "Happy Birthday!"

Noun

1. the feast day of a saint whose name one bears