Looking for Greek name days in November? Michalis, Angeliki, Nektarios, Katerina, Stelios and Andreas make this a busy month for name-day wishes. You may want more than one reminder for November 8 alone!
These dates follow the calendar commonly used by the Greek Orthodox Church in Greece. Some names have more than one feast day, and family or local tradition can decide which one someone celebrates. If you’re unsure, ask them — especially when a nickname could come from several different names.
Greek name days in November
Kosmas, Damianos, Anargyros, David – November 1
November begins with the feast of Saints Kosmas and Damianos, the Holy Unmercenaries. Some families with these names celebrate a different pair of saints on July 1.
Akindynos, Elpidiforos – November 2
Galaktion, Galatia, Epistimi, Linos – November 5
Athinodoros, Themelios – November 7
Michalis / Michael, Michaela, Gavriil / Gabriel, Gavriela, Angelos, Angeliki, Taxiarchis, Stamatis, Stamatia – November 8
The Synaxis of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and the other bodiless powers brings several familiar names together. This is the date many Michalises, Angeloses and Angelikis keep, along with names linked to the Taxiarches.
Nektarios, Nektaria, Theoktisti – November 9
Saint Nektarios is especially associated with Aegina, where he founded the Monastery of the Holy Trinity. His November feast is widely observed.
Arsenios, Orestis, Erastos, Rodion – November 10
Minas, Viktoras, Vikentios – November 11
Chrysostomos, Damaskinos – November 13
Filippos / Philip, Filippa, Grigorios – November 14
Filippos celebrates the Apostle Philip. Grigorios also appears for Saint Gregory Palamas; many other Grigorises keep January 25 instead.
Matthaios / Matthew, Ifigenia – November 16
Gennadios, Maximos – November 17
Platon / Platonas – November 18
Maria, Despoina, Lemonia, Soultana, Virginia – according to tradition – November 21
The Entrance of the Virgin Mary into the Temple is a name day for some Marias and Despoinas. The custom is sometimes associated with unmarried women, but it is not a universal rule. Many families celebrate on August 15 regardless of marital status — ask your Maria which date she keeps.
November 21 also has a lovely food tradition connected to the land. For the feast of the Virgin Mary’s Entrance into the Temple, some communities prepare polysporia — a mixture of boiled grains and legumes, traditionally made with hopes for a good harvest. The ingredients vary from place to place, and it can be savoury or sweet, with raisins, nuts and cinnamon.
Filimon, Valerios, Kikilia / Cecilia – November 22
Amfilochios – November 23
Aikaterini / Katerina / Catherine / Kaiti, Merkourios – November 25
Katerina, Aikaterini and Kaiti are among the familiar forms associated with Saint Catherine. If your Catherine uses an English spelling, the date can still be the same.
Stylianos / Stelios, Styliani / Stella, Stergios, Nikon – November 26
A handy date for the Stelioses and Stellas in your life. These names are associated with Saint Stylianos, although it’s always worth checking the full name behind a nickname.
Filoumenos, Filoumeni, Fedra – November 29
Andreas / Andrew – November 30
November closes with Saint Andrew the Apostle. One last round of Χρόνια Πολλά before the December celebrations begin!
Saint Andreas name day on November 30 comes with a very good excuse to make tiganites or loukoumades. In parts of Greece, he’s known as Agios Andreas Trypotiganitis; that is, the saint who pierces frying pans! According to folk tradition, households that didn’t make the treats on his feast day risked finding holes in their pans. A little dramatic, perhaps, but if the solution is loukoumades (or tiganites), who’s arguing?
Remember someone’s name day
November is full of the names you hear at family gatherings. A calendar reminder helps, but remembering which date each person actually celebrates is the thoughtful part.
Learn more about the importance of name days here.
Know someone celebrating? Make their day with a digital Greek name-day card from GreekGreeting, or choose a personalised card for a little extra thought behind your Χρόνια Πολλά!
