Name Day on September 2, 2026: Who Celebrates Their Name Day and the Meanings of Names
On September 2, 2026, several dozen people with different names celebrate their name days. Among them are Anatoly, Anthony, Vasily, Victor, Vladimir, Herman, Ivan, Leonid, Nikolai, Mikhail, Pavel, Peter, Philip, Stepan, Fyodor, Julian, and Ksenia. At the same time, in more comprehensive calendars, you can find rarer names as well—such as Rufina, Seraphim, Demid, Theodosius, and others.
According to popular name day calendars, the following names have their name days on September 2:
Male: Anatoly, Anthony, Vasily, Victor, Vladimir, Herman, Ivan, Leonid, Nikolai, Mikhail, Pavel, Peter, Philip, Stepan, Fyodor, Julian.
Female: Ksenia. In expanded lists, you may also find Rufina and Seraphima. Some calendars include other less common forms of names for this day, so the lists may vary.
Meaning of Male Names
Anatoliy—a name of Greek origin associated with the meaning “sunrise” or “eastern.” The name is associated with a person who seeks peace, balance, and confidence.
Anthony — a name of Latin origin. It is traditionally associated with the meanings “one who enters battle,” “adversary,” or “worthy of praise.” The name is often associated with perseverance and strength of character.
Vasyl — derives from a Greek word meaning “royal” or “regal.” This name is symbolically associated with dignity, inner strength, and confidence.
Victor is a Latin name meaning “victor.” It is associated with the image of a person who is not afraid of difficulties and strives to see things through to the end.
Vladimir is a Slavic name associated with the words “power” and “peace.” Traditionally, it is interpreted to mean “one who rules the world” or “ruler of peace.”
German is a name of Old Germanic origin. It is often interpreted as “warrior” or “man of the army.” The name is associated with determination and strength.
Ivan — the Ukrainian form of the ancient Hebrew name Yohanan. Its meaning is “God is gracious” or “God has shown mercy.” It is one of the most common male names in Ukraine.
Leonid — derives from the Greek name Leonidas and is related to the word “lion.” Therefore, the name’s meaning is often rendered as “lion-like,” symbolically linking it to courage and strength.
Mykola — an ancient Greek name composed of words meaning “victory” and “people.” The traditional interpretation is “victor of the peoples.”
Mykhailo — an ancient Hebrew name that translates as “who is like God?” In the Christian tradition, it is particularly associated with the Archangel Michael.
Paul — comes from the Latin Paulus and means “small” or “little.” In Christian history, this name is primarily associated with the Apostle Paul.
Peter — a Greek name meaning “stone” or “rock.” It is symbolically associated with strength, stability, and reliability.
Philip—a name of Greek origin meaning “one who loves horses.” In the New Testament, this was the name of one of the Twelve Apostles.
Stepan — derives from the Greek Stephanos, meaning “wreath” or “crown.” In Christian tradition, the name is associated with Saint Stephen, who is considered the first martyr for the faith.
Fedir is the Ukrainian form of the Greek name Theodor. It means “God’s gift” or “a gift from God.”
Julian is a name of Latin origin, associated with the family name Julius. It is traditionally interpreted as “of the Julian family” or “Julian.”
Meanings of Female Names
Ksenia is a name of Greek origin. It is associated with the word xenos—meaning “stranger” or “foreigner”—as well as with the concept of hospitality. Therefore, the name can be linked to the meanings “hospitable” or “one who welcomes guests.”
Rufina is a name of Latin origin, associated with the word *rufus*—meaning “red-haired,” “blond,” or “reddish.” It is a rare name that is much less common today than Ksenia.
Seraphima is the feminine form of the name Seraphim. It derives from an ancient Hebrew word associated with “blazing” or “fiery” beings. In Christian tradition, seraphim are one of the highest orders of angels.
Thus, September 2 is not just a day for the most common names. In expanded church and name day calendars, you can also find rare female names, so on this day it’s worth checking the calendar more carefully if you have a loved one named Rufina or Serafima.
What church holiday is celebrated on September 2
According to the calendar of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, September 2, 2026, is the day of remembrance for the Venerable Antony and Theodosius of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. They are considered among the principal founders of the Kiev-Pechersk monastic tradition. In its liturgical calendar, the OCU also commemorates on this date the martyr Mamant, his father Theodotus, and his mother Rufina, as well as the Venerable John the Faster and other saints.
Anthony and Theodosius of Kyiv-Pechersk
Anthony of the Caves is considered one of the founders of the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery. According to church tradition, he settled in a cave near Kyiv and began to lead a secluded monastic life. Other monks gradually gathered around him, and the caves became the foundation of the future monastery. Theodosius of the Caves was one of Anthony’s closest followers. He played an important role in the monastery’s development and in establishing a more organized monastic life. It is his name that is associated with the active development of the Pechersk Monastery.
The OCU refers to Anthony and Theodosius as the Venerable Fathers of Kyiv-Pechersk and honors their memory separately on September 2. The OCU’s calendar for 2026 includes a daily service in their honor on this day. The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra remains one of Ukraine’s most famous spiritual and historical sites. Founded on the cave monastic tradition, the monastery has been an important center of monastic life, scholarship, and culture for centuries.
The commemoration of Anthony and Theodosius is not only a church holiday but also an opportunity to reflect on the history of Kyiv and one of Ukraine’s oldest monastic traditions. That is why September 2 holds special significance for Orthodox believers who honor the Saints of the Caves.
What is known about the other saints commemorated on this day
On September 2, the Church also commemorates the martyr Mamant, his father Theodotus, and his mother Rufina. In the church calendar, they are listed among the early Christian martyrs. Their memory is associated with the period of persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.
Also commemorated on this day is the Venerable John the Faster, Patriarch of Constantinople. He lived in the 6th century and is known in the Church tradition primarily for his austere, ascetic life. Separately, the OCU calendar commemorates the Martyrs of Nicomedia. Their commemoration is part of the ancient Christian tradition of honoring those who died for their faith.
How Name Days Are Observed
Name days usually do not have traditions as extensive as major church holidays. For a believer, the most important part of the day may be prayer, attending church, and commemorating the patron saint. The celebrant’s family traditionally congratulates them on their Name Day. This might involve a small gift, kind words, or a shared dinner. What matters most here is not the scale of the celebration, but the attention given to the person.
If a person’s name is associated with a specific saint, one can learn more about that saint’s life and deeds. Such a day can serve as an occasion not only to receive congratulations but also to reflect on the person in whose honor the individual was named. In the church tradition, name days can also be an occasion to pray to one’s patron saint. At the same time, specific customs may vary depending on the family, region, and personal religious beliefs.
Is September 2 a day of fasting?
According to the church calendar, September 2, 2026, falls on a Wednesday, so for Orthodox believers, it is a day of fasting. Fasting on Wednesdays is associated with the tradition of commemorating the day when Judas agreed to betray Christ.
At the same time, fasting rules can have various nuances. Therefore, people who strictly observe church fasting should refer to their church community’s calendar and, if necessary, consult with a priest.
Interesting Facts About September 2
September 2 is associated with several well-known names. Among them are Ivan, Mykola, Petro, Viktor, Volodymyr, Mykhailo, and Vasyl, all of which are very common in Ukraine. At the same time, this date may be of interest to parents looking for a rare name for their child. In more comprehensive calendars, September 2 includes Rufina and Seraphima, as well as male names such as Antin, Demid, and Theodosius.
There is one more important point: name day calendars on the internet do not always match one another. Some resources list only the most common names, while others include all the saints commemorated on that day or use more extensive lists.
Therefore, if a specific name is not listed in one calendar, this does not necessarily mean that a person cannot have a name day on September 2. For a church date, it is best to refer to the calendar of the denomination and community to which the person belongs. For the OCU, September 2, 2026, is primarily associated with the commemoration of Saints Anthony and Theodosius of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
