October brings us some much-loved Greek name days, including Dimitris, Gerasimos, Loukas and Pelagia.
Here are some of the name days we celebrate in Greece this October!
Ananias, Romanos – October 1
Kyprianos, Ioustini – October 2
Dionysis / Dionysios – October 3
Dionysios is a well-known Greek name, particularly associated with the Ionian Islands. Another major celebration for the name takes place in December in honour of Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos.
Ierotheos – October 4
Haritini / Charitini – October 5
Thomas – October 6
Polychronis, Sergios – October 7
Pelagia – October 8
Celebrating Saint Pelagia, whose feast day is observed on October 8.
Abraham – October 9
Amaryllis – October 10
Andromachi – October 12
Chrysi – October 13
Ignatios, Nazarios – October 14
Loukianos – October 15
Antigonos – October 17
Loukas – October 18
October 18 is the feast day of Saint Luke the Evangelist, traditionally regarded as the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.
Kleopatra – October 19
Gerasimos – October 20
A particularly important name day in Kefalonia, October 20 honours Saint Gerasimos, the patron saint of the island.
His monastery at Omala is one of Kefalonia’s most important pilgrimage sites, and Saint Gerasimos remains deeply connected with the identity and traditions of the island.
Artemis, Artemios – October 20
Christodoulos – October 21
Iakovos – October 23
Sevasti / Sevi – October 24
Chrysanthi – October 25
Dimitris / Dimitrios, Dimitra – October 26
One of the biggest Greek name days of October!
October 26 is the feast day of Saint Demetrios of Thessaloniki, one of the most beloved military saints of the Greek Orthodox Church and the patron saint of Thessaloniki.
The celebration has an especially strong connection to the city, where the Church of Agios Dimitrios stands over the site traditionally associated with his martyrdom.
If you know a Dimitri, Dimitra, Demetris or one of the many variations of the name, don’t forget to wish them Χρόνια Πολλά!
Sending someone a Greek hello?
Personalised Greek greeting cards for name days, birthdays and celebrations, delivered straight to their inbox.
Shop Greek Greeting CardsNestor / Nestoras – October 27
Evniki – October 28
October 28 is also Ohi Day (Ημέρα του Όχι), one of Greece’s two national days.
It commemorates Greece’s rejection of the Italian ultimatum on October 28, 1940, and is marked across Greece and the diaspora with commemorations and parades.
Anastasia, Melina – October 29
Asterios / Asteris, Kleopas, Zinovia, Zinovios – October 30
Narkissos, Stratoniki – October 31
Name days remain an important tradition in Greece. Instead of celebrating only your birthday, your name connects you to a saint and a particular day in the Greek Orthodox calendar — and for some names, to a particular island, village or part of Greece.
On a big name day, expect plenty of phone calls, messages and Χρόνια Πολλά! — and traditionally, you don’t need an invitation to wish someone well.
Know someone celebrating this October? Make sure you remember their day!
