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Namesdays or '''name days''' are a tradition, found in various Catholic and Eastern Orthodox countries, of attaching personal names to each day of the year, and celebrating the association of particular days with those for whom that day is named. The tradition is also very widely practiced in the Nordic countries, especially in Sweden and Finland. For example, in Sweden January 28 has the name ''Karl'' (sometimes spelt ''Carl''), and Swedes are thus supposed to celebrate the namesday of King Carl Gustaf - and all other men named Karl - on this day. HISTORY The celebration of Namesdays has been a tradition in Catholic countries since the Middle Ages . The namesdays originate in the list of holidays celebrated in commemoration of Saint s and Martyr s of the Catholic Church . For example, the name ''Karl'' or ''Carl'' (celebrated in Sweden on January 28) was originally ''Carolus Magnus'', the Latin form of Charlemagne , and a commemoration of his death on this date. The church promoted celebration of namesdays (or rather saints days) over birthdays, as the latter was seen as a pagan tradition. Where namesdays occur an official list is held containing the current assignations of names to days. There are different lists for Finnish , Swedish , Sami , and all other countries that celebrate namedays, though some names are celebrated on the same day in many countries. From the 18th Century and onwards the list of namesdays has been modified in Sweden and Finland , but not in other countries. NAMESDAYS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES Scandinavia During Medieval times the namesdays were of little significance in the Nordic Countries , except for the celebration of Patron Saint s for various guilds. A more widespread celebration of namesdays began in the 17th Century , at first in the royal court and among aristocracy, but successively also among the general population. The Church Of Sweden promoted celebration of namesdays over birthdays, as the latter was seen as a pagan tradition. Sweden See main article Namesdays In Sweden . From the 18th Century onwards, names used by the royal family were introduced to the Swedish list of namesdays, followed by other common names. In 1901 a comprehensive modernization was made to make list up to date with current names. The monopoly on almanacs, held by the Royal Swedish Academy Of Sciences , expired in 1972 and so did the official namesday list. Competing namesday lists began to emerge but the official list was still in general use until 1986 when consensus of a new list with three names on each day was reached. This list was revised in 1993 and reduced to two names on each day. However, widespread dissatisfaction with the list prompted the Swedish Academy to compile a new two-name list which was finally accepted and brought into use in 2001 . Although it does not have the official status of the 1901 or older lists, it is now universally used in Sweden. Finland Today Finns celebrate their namesdays (or ''nimipäivä'') according to their Given Name on the date given by the calendar published by the Helsinki University 's Calendar Office (''Almanakkatoimisto''). The University owns the copyright to the list of names and their corresponding dates. Greece In Greece , Crete , and Cyprus , it is more common to celebrate the namesday than the birthday. According to the Orthodox Church , every day of the year has been dedicated to the memory of a saint or a martyr from the Holy Bible and Holy Tradition . If someone is named after a saint, then there is a big celebration on his/her name day. Gifts are given, festive meals and desserts are prepared, and special preparations are made for an open house. Usually, namesdays are on the same date, every year. These are the non-floating namedays. There are some "floating" namedays though, that every year are on a different date. Poland In Poland , namesdays ('imieniny' in Polish) are widely celebrated, apart from birthdays, and most calendars contain the names celebrated each day. Namesday celebrations in Poland traditionally involve a gathering of friends and family at the celebrant's home at the dinner table, followed by drinking and socializing, similarly to birthday celebrations. The song " Sto Lat " is usually sung. Child celebrants receive presents, just like on their birthday. Latvia In Latvia namedays (in Latvian "vārdadienas") are settled on certain Date s; each Day (except for February 29 in Leap Year ) is someone's nameday. Usually Latvian Calendar s list up to four Name s each day - ~1000 names in a year. Recently an extended calendar with ~5000 names was published, and there are also a few extended calendars found on the Internet listing names even on February 29. It is not clear if they are from same source, however there are likenesses between them. February 29 is a popular date to celebrate namedays of people who do not have a nameday; another such date is May 22 . People who don't have namedays in ordinary calendars can enjoy many variations when to celebrate - on February 29 or May 22 and, if they have their name in an extended calendar or in the church calendar, on the date listed there (so in leap year such a person can choose from 2 to 4 dates when to celebrate). The Latvian namedays calendar is updated at one- or two-year intervals; anyone can suggest a name for the calendar, usually by sending an application to the State language centre ("Valsts valodas centrs" more characterizing translation could be "Centre of official language of Latvia"). Celebrations are quite like Birthday celebrations. It is popular to celebrate nameday in one's Workplace - usually the one that has a nameday prepares Snacks for well-wishers, and during the day colleagues arrive one after another with Flowers , Sweets and small Presents to greet him. Sometimes, especially in smaller companies, a certain time is set for the main celebrations. At School one is expected to arrive with Candy for his or her classmates and Teacher s. Celebrating nameday at Home isn't as popular as celebrating birthday, although it may vary depending on the period of time between one's birthday and nameday; usually one will eat Cake with his Household members and probably will get some Presents . Czech Republic See main article Namedays In The Czech Republic . Slovakia See main article Namedays In Slovakia . Hungary See main article Name Days In Hungary . Name days in Hungary are very popular, often more so than a person's actual birthdate. A person is typically given Flowers on their name date by aquaintences, including in the workplace, and the price of flowers often rises around the dates of popular names because of demand. SEE ALSO
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