Name Day Wishes: Short, by Name, Ukrainian Name Day Dates

A name day (Den Anhela, "Angel's Day") is the feast of the saint a person is named after. In Ukraine it was once celebrated even more than birthdays, and today it is still a lovely reason to send warm words to family and friends. Here are name day wishes: short ones, for a woman and a man, for a child, with prayerful blessings, plus wishes for popular names and a table of name day dates.

For birthday messages, see birthday wishes.

What is a name day and how to find yours

A name day is the feast of the patron saint whose name a person bears. If there are several saints with that name, people choose the nearest date after their birthday or the feast of the best-known saint. Since 2023 the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church follow the New Julian calendar, so most name days moved 13 days earlier: St Nicholas Day, for example, is now December 6 rather than December 19.

Short name day wishes

• Happy name day! May your heavenly patron always protect you.
• Happy name day! Health, peace and God's blessings.
• Happy name day! May you always be surrounded by kind people.
• Happy feast of your patron saint! Light, love and joy.
• Happy name day! May your guardian angel lead you on the right path.
• Happy name day! Warmth in your heart and comfort in your home.
• Happy name day! May every day be blessed.
• Happy name day! May all your plans come true with God's help.

For a woman

• Happy name day! May your patron saint grant you wisdom, gentleness and happiness.
• Happy name day! Stay as bright and kind as your name.
• Happy name day, dear! May there always be peace in your home and love in your heart.
• Happy feast of your patron saint! Health, beauty and the fulfilment of long-held dreams.
• Happy name day! May your guardian angel keep sadness away and your loved ones surround you with care.
• Happy name day! I wish you a reason to smile every day.

For a man

• Happy name day! May your heavenly patron give you strength, wisdom and confidence in everything you do.
• Happy name day! Good health, loyal friends and peace in your family.
• Happy name day! May your saint protect you on the road and help you make the right decisions.
• Happy name day! May your guardian angel always stand at your shoulder.
• Happy name day, my friend! Good luck, prosperity and bright days.
• Happy name day! Be as strong as your patron saint and happier than ever.

For a child

• Happy name day, sunshine! May your guardian angel always be by your side and keep you safe.
• Happy name day! Grow up healthy, kind and happy.
• Happy name day, sweetheart! May every day bring new discoveries and joy.
• Happy name day, little one! May your life be full of light and love.

Name day blessings

• May your patron saint pray for you before God and protect you on every road of life. Happy name day!
• Happy name day! God's blessings, peace of soul and strength for every day.
• Through the prayers of your saint, may the Lord grant you health, wisdom and love.
• Happy name day! May your faith grow stronger and your guardian angel lead you along a bright path.
• Happy name day! May God's grace be with you every day.

Name day wishes by name

• Mariia: Happy name day, Mariia! May your patron saint give you strong faith and warm love.
• Mykhailo: Happy name day, Mykhailo! May Archangel Michael protect you and your family.
• Anna: Happy name day, Anna! May you be as wise and gentle as your saint.
• Dmytro: Happy name day, Dmytro! Strength, courage and victories in everything you do.
• Mykolai: Happy name day, Mykolai! May St Nicholas generously shower you with joy.
• Andrii: Happy name day, Andrii! May your fate be happy and your dreams bold.
• Kateryna: Happy name day, Kateryna! Wisdom, beauty and happiness.
• Yurii: Happy name day, Yurii! May St George give you strength to overcome any obstacle.
• Olha: Happy name day, Olha! Be strong and wise like St Olga.

Flowers and gifts for a name day

On a name day, people usually give small gifts and flowers, and for believers an icon of their patron saint. The bouquet doesn't have to be large: gentle arrangements in a box, spray roses, chrysanthemums or eustoma all work well. For tips on signing a card, see what to write on a flower card.

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Ready-made options are in flowers for celebrations, flowers in a box and flowers for mum.

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FAQ

How is a name day different from a birthday?

A birthday is the date a person was born. A name day is the feast of the saint they are named after.

How do I find my name day?

Look up saints with your name in the church calendar and choose the nearest date after your birthday or the feast of the best-known saint. Dates for popular names are in the table above.

Did name days change with the new calendar?

Yes. Since 2023, most name days in the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church fall 13 days earlier than under the old calendar.

What can I give for a name day?

A small bouquet, an icon of the patron saint, a book or sweets. What matters most is attention and warm words.

Among autumn holidays — Pokrova wishes.

Name day wishes by name: Andrii, Olha, Tetiana, Kateryna, Nataliia, Iryna, Olena, Volodymyr, Mykhailo, Mariia, Anna, Oleksandr, Vira, Nadiia, Liubov and Sofiia, Petro and Pavlo, Dmytro, Yuliia, Yurii, Serhii, Vasyl, Ivan, Liudmyla, Oksana, Roman, Anastasiia, Illia, Oleksii, Kostiantyn, Anton, Stepan, Nina, Mykyta, Denys, Kyrylo, Tamara, Maryna, Khrystyna, Varvara, Yelyzaveta, Sofiia, Oleh, Ihor.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.