A name for your child

Questions about baptismal names

I.How is a baptismal name chosen in the Orthodox tradition?

Often after the saint of the birthday, of the eighth day, when the name was given, or of the day of baptism. Many families choose a saint who has helped them.

II.What is a name day?

The day the Church celebrates the saint whose name the child bears. On that day the child keeps their name day.

III.Must the name be a saint's?

At baptism the child receives the name of a saint, who becomes their patron. If the civil name is not a saint's, a baptismal name is chosen too, with the priest's advice.

IV.What can I name a child born on a given day?

Choose the date in the name finder or open that day's page: it shows the saints of the day and of the eighth day, with their names for boys and girls.

V.Are there rare but serious names?

Yes. Beside the well-known names, the Church keeps hundreds of less common saints' names, such as Theosevia, Agafia, Panaretos or Eleftherios.