Name Day on September 16, 2026: Who Celebrates Their Name Day and the Meaning of Names
On September 16, people with a variety of names celebrate their name days—from familiar names like Oleksiy, Serhiy, and Viktor to rarer ones like Dorofey, Khariton, Feofan, and Vasilisa. On this day, you can congratulate loved ones, friends, or colleagues and wish them good health, happiness, and the support of those around them. Here’s what these names mean and how to offer a beautiful greeting to those celebrating their name day.
On September 16, 2026, Viktor, Grigory, Joseph, Alexei, Sergey, and Lyudmila celebrate their name days. These are the names listed in the new-style name day calendar.
In more comprehensive calendars, you can also find Andriy, Vasyl, Volodymyr, Ivan, Illia, Kostyantyn, Mykola, Mykhailo, Petro, Roman, Filip, Khariton, Yukhim, and Yan on this date, and among female names—Vasilisa. Some lists also include Dorotheus, Domna, Theoktist, and Theophanes. Thus, on September 16, you can find quite a few names, including not only those familiar to Ukrainians but also some that are quite rare.
Meanings of Male Names
Victor—a name of Latin origin. It means “victor.” The name is associated with strength, determination, and the drive to achieve one’s goals.
Grigory is an ancient Greek name derived from a word meaning “vigilant” or “one who does not sleep.” It is traditionally associated with attentiveness, composure, and a readiness to act.
Joseph is a name of ancient Hebrew origin. Its meaning is rendered as “God will add,” “God will multiply,” or “may God reward.” This ancient name has biblical origins.
Alexei comes from the Ancient Greek language. It means “defender” or “one who protects.” Therefore, the name is often associated with caring for others, strength, and reliability.
Serhiy is of Latin origin. The exact meaning of the name is interpreted in various ways, but it is most often associated with the family name Sergius. In modern usage, it is a common Ukrainian male name with a long history.
Andriy is an ancient Greek name meaning “manly” or “brave.” It is associated with traits such as courage, strength, and confidence.
Vasyl derives from the ancient Greek name Basileios. It means “royal” or “regal.” The name is traditionally associated with dignity and inner strength.
Volodymyr is a Slavic name. It is associated with the words “power” and “peace,” so its meaning can be rendered as “one who rules the world” or “ruler of the world.”
Ivan is a form of the ancient Hebrew name Yohanan. It translates as “God is gracious” or “God’s grace.” It is one of the most well-known male names in Ukraine.
Ilya has ancient Hebrew origins. The name means “my God is the Lord” and is associated with biblical tradition.
Konstantin comes from the Latin Constantinus. Its meaning is “constant,” “steadfast,” “unwavering.” The name aptly conveys the idea of a person who does not waver from his convictions.
Mykola is an ancient Greek name derived from words meaning “victory” and “people.” Therefore, its traditional meaning is “victor of the peoples.”
Mykhailo comes from the ancient Hebrew language. It means “Who is like God?” This is a rhetorical question that emphasizes the greatness of God.
Petro comes from the Ancient Greek word “petros”—“stone,” “rock.” The name is symbolically associated with strength, steadfastness, and reliability.
Roman is of Latin origin. The name is literally associated with the concept of “Roman,” that is, “a resident of Rome.”
Philip is an ancient Greek name meaning “lover of horses.” In ancient times, the horse was a symbol of strength, status, and military prowess.
Chariton is an ancient Greek name. It derives from the word “charis,” which means “beauty,” “grace,” and “gracefulness.” Therefore, the meaning of the name can be rendered as “gracious” or “pleasant.”
Yukhim is the Ukrainian form of the ancient Greek name Euphymius. It means “good-natured,” “friendly,” or “one who speaks well.”
Dorofey is an ancient Greek name meaning “gift of God.” It is a fairly rare name with a long Christian tradition.
Theophanes also has ancient Greek origins. It can be translated as “revealed by God” or “the manifestation of God.”
Theoktist is a rare Ancient Greek name. Its meaning is associated with the words “God” and “created,” so it can be rendered as “created by God.”
Meanings of Female Names
Lyudmila is a Slavic name consisting of two parts: “lyudi” (people) and “mila” (lovely). Its meaning is “lovely to people” or “the one whom people love.”
Vasilisa is the feminine form of the name Vasyl. It derives from an Ancient Greek word meaning “royal” or “queen.” The name sounds gentle but carries a very strong meaning.
Domna is an ancient female name of Latin origin. It is associated with the word “domina,” meaning “lady” or “mistress.” The name is rarely found today.
How to Celebrate a Name Day
There are many ways to celebrate a Name Day. For some, it’s an occasion to gather around a festive table with family, while for others, receiving a few warm messages from friends is enough. If the person celebrating follows religious traditions, they can visit a church on this day to pray and ask their patron saint for guidance. For many people, it’s also an opportunity to spend some quiet time with family and give thanks for all the good things that have happened over the past year.
A big gift for a name day isn’t necessary at all. You can give flowers, a book, sweets, something for a hobby, or another nice little something. The main thing is to show the person that you’re thinking of them. A personal greeting will be especially appreciated. A few sincere words from a loved one often mean much more than an expensive gift.
How to Wish Someone a Happy Name Day
You can wish a man strength, confidence, and success:
“Happy Name Day! I wish you good health, strength, confidence, and good luck in all your endeavors. May your guardian angel always be by your side, protecting you from trouble and helping you find the right path.”
For a woman, a warm and sincere greeting is appropriate:
“Happy Name Day! May your heavenly guardian always watch over you, and may your life be filled with more joy, love, and happy moments. I wish you good health, peace of mind, and people by your side whom you can always rely on.”
And for a loved one, the greeting can be simpler:
“Happy Name Day! I hope you always have the strength to pursue your dreams, the courage to take new steps, and people who will support you when you need them. May every day bring something good, and may your guardian angel always be by your side.”
September 16 is a great excuse to call someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time, or simply to remind your loved ones that you’re thinking of them. Even a brief “Happy Name Day!” can make this day special.
