Aussies don't do Name Days - But should we?

April is a special month for me—it's my birthday month! But instead of talking about birthdays, I thought I would write about something just as festive, yet strangely overlooked in Australia: Name Days. If you have never heard of them, don’t worry—you are not alone. In fact, when I mention Name Days here, I am often met with puzzled expressions.

So, what exactly is a Name Day? A Name Day is a celebration of your given name. Unlike birthdays, which mark the day you were born, Name Days are a nod to history, religion, and cultural traditions that have been around for centuries.

If you grew up in Australia, the concept of Name Days might sound very exotic. But in many countries, Name Days are as significant—sometimes even more so—than birthdays.

For example, growing up in Czechoslovakia, Name Days were a big deal. Friends and family would congratulate you, maybe bring a small gift or flowers, and there was often cake involved (because, let’s face it, everything is better with cake). Calendars list names for each day, making it easy to remember whose turn it is to celebrate.

Similar to Czech traditions, names are also celebrated in Poland, Hungary, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Slovenia,  Greece, Spain, Sweden, Finland and many other European countries.

Australia, being a melting pot of cultures, has embraced a lot of traditions, but Name Days haven’t quite made the cut. Name Days remain one of those hidden gems of celebration that many Aussies have yet to discover.

So should we start the movement? I say, why not? In a world where we celebrate everything from Pie Day to Wombat Day, surely we can make room for Name Days. So, if you ever spot your friend’s or your name listed on a European calendar or a Name Day website, take it as a sign and maybe start a new tradition.

And if you would like to celebrate in style, you can contact me for a handmade gift card. I made one for myself – take a look.

And my Name Day is in August! Time for another party!