Frequently Asked Questions

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What does a Greek name day mean?

A name day (γιορτή) is the feast day of the saint a person is named after, and in Greece it's often celebrated more than a birthday. If your name matches a saint on the Orthodox calendar, that saint's feast day becomes your name day.
 

Why do some Greek names have so many spellings?

There's no single standard way to transliterate Greek letters into English, so names like Yiannis can also appear as Giannis or Yannis depending on the source. They're the same name, just written differently.
 

What's the difference between a Greek name and its nickname?

Greek names often have shortened or affectionate forms used in everyday conversation, similar to how "William" becomes "Bill" in English. Konstantinos becomes Kostas, Dimitrios becomes Mitsos, and so on.
 

Do all Greek names have a name day?

No. Names rooted in Orthodox Christian tradition, like Yiannis or Maria, have a name day tied to a saint's feast. Names from ancient Greek history or mythology, like Sokratis or Odysseas, don't have a name day since they aren't linked to a saint.
 

Why is my name spelled differently here than I expected?

Greek names don't have one official English spelling, so you may see small differences depending on the source, like "Yiannis" versus "Giannis," or "Konstantinos" versus "Costantinos." Both are correct; they just reflect different transliteration styles.
 

Are these names still used in Greece today?

Many are extremely common and still given to children regularly, while others are more traditional or historic. Each name's page notes how it's typically used today.