Name Day on September 13, 2026: Who Celebrates Their Name Day and the Meanings of Names
On September 13, 2026, it is the name day for Valery, Ilya, Leonty, Lukyan, Nikolai, Alexander, Peter, and Stepan. Among the names found in broader calendars are also Myron, Gennadiy, Mykhailo, and Yan, and among female names—Ulyana and Yuliana. We’ll explain what these names mean and how to congratulate those celebrating their name day on this day.
The list of people celebrating their name days on this day is quite diverse. It includes names that are familiar to Ukrainians, as well as those that are much less common today. According to the 2026 name day calendar, September 13 is the name day for Valery, Ilya, Leonty, Lukyan, Mykola, Oleksandr, Petro, and Stepan. This is the list provided by modern Ukrainian calendars following the new style.
In more comprehensive lists of name days for this date, you can also find Gennadiy, Dmytro, Mykhailo, Myron, and Yan. This allows you to congratulate more people if there are individuals with these names in your family or among your friends. Among female names, you can find Ulyana and Yuliana. They appear in name calendars that compile more extensive lists for September 13.
Meanings of Men’s Names
Valery
Valery is a name of Latin origin. It comes from the word valere, which means “to be healthy” or “to be strong.” Therefore, the name is traditionally associated with strength, health, and endurance.
Ilya
Ilya has ancient Hebrew origins. Its meaning is “my God is Yahweh” or “my God.” It is one of the oldest names that has survived to this day and remains popular in Ukraine.
Leontiy
Leontiy comes from an ancient Greek name. It is associated with the word “lion,” so its meaning can be rendered as “lion-like” or “resembling a lion.” The name is associated with strength and courage.
Lukian
Luk’yan is a name of Latin origin. It is related to the name Lucianus and is traditionally interpreted as “bright” or “one who belongs to the light.” Today, it is a fairly rare name, so it sounds unusual.
Mykola
Mykola comes from Ancient Greek. The name consists of parts meaning “victory” and “people,” so its traditional interpretation is “victor of the peoples.”
Alexander
Alexander is an Ancient Greek name meaning “defender of the people” or “the one who defends.” It is one of the most common male names in Ukraine, but it also appears on the name day calendar on September 13.
Peter
Petro comes from the ancient Greek word *petros*—meaning “stone” or “rock.” The name is traditionally associated with strength, steadfastness, and reliability.
Stepan
Stepan is the Ukrainian form of the ancient Greek name Stefanos. It means “wreath” or “crowned.” In ancient times, a wreath was a symbol of honor and victory.
Myron
Myron is an ancient Greek name. One of its main meanings is “fragrant” or “sweet-smelling.” This name is particularly interesting for September 13, as it doesn’t appear very often on everyday lists of name days.
Gennady
Gennadiy derives from an ancient Greek word associated with the meanings “of noble birth” and “noble.” Today, the name is not among the most common among the younger generation, but it has a long history.
Mykhailo
Mykhailo has ancient Hebrew origins. Its meaning is “Who is like God?” This rhetorical question emphasizes God’s supremacy.
Yan
Yan is a form of the ancient Hebrew name Yohanan, from which the Ukrainian name Ivan also derives. It means “God is gracious” or “God has shown mercy.” The name is short, sounds modern, and yet has very ancient origins.
Girls’ Names for September 13
There aren’t many girls’ names listed in popular calendars for September 13. However, in more extensive lists, you can find Ulyana and Yuliana. Both options are well known to Ukrainians, yet they are not among the names that appear in calendars almost every day.
Ulyana
Ulyana is the feminine form of the name Julian. It is associated with the ancient Roman family name Julius. One common interpretation is “belonging to the Julian family.” The name has a soft sound and is once again gaining popularity today.
Juliana
Juliana is also associated with the ancient Roman family name Julius. The meaning of the name is often rendered as “of the Julian family” or “Julian.” It is the feminine form of the name Julian.
What Is a Name Day
A name day, or patron saint’s day, is the day commemorating the saint whose name a person bears. In Christian tradition, a saint is considered a person’s heavenly patron. Therefore, a name day is not the same as a birthday. A birthday is associated with a person’s arrival into the world, while a name day is associated with their name and spiritual patron.
Usually on this day, people congratulate the person and wish them health, peace, love, prosperity, and the support of their loved ones. For many families, a name day is a small family celebration that doesn’t necessarily involve a big feast. What matters most here isn’t the number of gifts. Sometimes it’s enough to call the person, write a few warm words, or simply remind them that you’re thinking of them.
How to Wish Someone a Happy Name Day
Your greeting can be simple and heartfelt. For example: “Happy Name Day! May your heavenly guardian always be by your side, protecting you and helping you overcome all difficulties. I wish you health, peace, love, and many wonderful moments in life.” Another option: “Happy Name Day! I hope your life is filled with more joy, warm encounters, and good news. May you always be surrounded by people you can trust.”
For a loved one, you can make the greeting more personal. You can wish Valery strength and good health, Leontiy—courage, Lukyan—light and confidence, Miron—inner harmony, and Mikhail—reliable people by his side. For Ulyana and Yuliana, you can wish them love, inner peace, the fulfillment of their dreams, and as many reasons for joy as possible.
Interesting facts about the names on this day
September 13 is interesting because among those celebrating their name day are several names that aren’t very common today. Leontiy, Lukyan, Miron, and Gennadiy are much less common than Oleksandr or Mykola.
The name Myron has a particularly unusual meaning—“fragrant” or “aromatic.” It comes from an ancient Greek word associated with the aromatic substance myrrh.
Leontius also has an interesting history. Its origin is linked to the word “lion,” so it shares symbolic associations with many other names that, in various languages, are associated with the king of beasts.
Today, Lukian can be considered one of the most unusual names on the list. It doesn’t sound exotic, but it certainly isn’t among the most popular either. That’s exactly why September 13 could be a good occasion to remember someone with that name.
As for Yan, it shows how a single ancient name can take different forms in different languages. The Ukrainian Ivan, the Polish Jan, and other European variants share a common root.
On the list of girls’ names, Ulyana and Yuliana stand out. Both names sound modern, even though their history dates back to ancient times.
So there are plenty of people to congratulate on September 13—from Valeriy, Illia, and Leontiy to Luk’yan, Myron, Hennadiy, and Yan. And if you have a Ulyana or Yuliana among your loved ones, this day can also be a good opportunity to say a few warm words to them.
