Name Day on September 21, 2026: Who Celebrates Their Name Day and the Meanings of Names
On September 21, 2026, it is the name day for Andriy, Valentin, Vasyl, Volodymyr, Danylo, Dmytro, Ivan, Yosyp, Kostyantyn, Oleksandr, and Petro. In more comprehensive calendars, this day also includes names such as Georgiy, Yegor, Yan, and Maria. We’ll explain the meaning behind each of these names and share some beautiful ways to congratulate those celebrating their name days.
September 21 is a day when several male and female names celebrate their name days at once. Among them are names well-known to Ukrainians—Andriy, Ivan, Oleksandr, Dmytro, and Maria—as well as names that are less common today.
A name often has an interesting history and its own special meaning. So if any of your family members, friends, or colleagues have a name day on this date, it’s the perfect time to remind them of the occasion. Below, we’ll tell you who to congratulate on September 21 and what each name means.
Men’s Names on September 21
Men are the first to be congratulated on this day. The list includes both popular names commonly found in Ukraine and less common options.
Andriy is a name of ancient Greek origin. It means “manly” and “brave.” The name is often associated with determination, strength of character, and confidence.
Valentin is a name of Latin origin. It means “healthy” and “strong.” Valentin is a name with a soft sound that is also associated with endurance and kindness.
Vasyl is an ancient Greek name meaning “royal” or “regal.” It has a long history and has remained well-known in Ukraine for centuries.
Volodymyr is a Slavic name. It is most often interpreted as “ruler of the world” or “one who rules the world.” The name is associated with strength, authority, and confidence.
Danylo is a name of ancient Hebrew origin. It means “God is my judge.” This biblical name remains one of the most popular male names today.
Dmytro is a name of ancient Greek origin. It is associated with the goddess Demeter and is traditionally translated as “dedicated to Demeter.” The name has many common forms, including Dima and Dmytryk.
Ivan is one of the most well-known Ukrainian male names. It comes from the ancient Hebrew language and means “God is gracious” or “God has shown mercy.” Ivan can also be called Ivanko, Ivase, or Vanya.
Yosyp is an ancient Hebrew name associated with the meaning “God will add” or “God will multiply.” The name has biblical origins and is known among various peoples.
Konstantin is a name of Latin origin. It means “constant,” “steadfast,” or “unchanging.” The name is well-suited for wishes of strength, endurance, and confidence in one’s own decisions.
Oleksandr is an ancient Greek name meaning “defender of the people.” It is one of the most common male names in Ukraine. On his name day, you can wish Oleksandr strength, good health, and people he can always rely on.
Petro is a name of ancient Greek origin. It means “stone” or “firm.” Petro is a traditional name often associated with reliability, steadfastness, and a strong character.
There are also several names that can be found in broader name day calendars for this date. Among them are Heorhiy, Yegor, and Yan.
Georgiy is a name of Greek origin meaning “farmer” or “one who works the land.” It has many forms in different languages.
Yegor is a form of the name Georgiy. It has the same meaning—“farmer.” It is a short, independent variant of the name that has long been used in Ukraine.
Yan is a short name related to Ivan and Johann. It is associated with the ancient Hebrew name Yohanan and means “God is gracious.” Yan is a concise name, common in Ukraine and other European countries.
Girls’ Names on September 21
There are fewer female names listed in the calendars for September 21, but on this day you can congratulate Maria. This is one of the most famous female names in the Christian tradition.
Maria is an ancient Hebrew name, the origin of which is interpreted in various ways. Among the possible meanings are “beloved,” “lady,” and “bitter.” The name has a centuries-old history and remains popular in many countries around the world.
If you have a Maria among your loved ones, on September 21 you can wish her good health, love, inner peace, and the fulfillment of her dreams. And best of all—add something personal to your greeting that will be meaningful specifically to her.
What Is a Name Day?
A Name Day, or name celebration, is a day associated with a person’s name and their heavenly patron. In the Christian tradition, this day honors the memory of the saint whose name the person bears. For many people, a name day is a warm family celebration. It’s not necessary to throw a big party or buy expensive gifts. Sometimes it’s enough to call, write a few heartfelt words, or meet for a cup of coffee.
Those who follow religious traditions may pray on their Name Day, visit a church, or simply spend more time with their family. The main thing is to remember the person and show them you care.
How to Celebrate a Name Day
You can celebrate a name day in whatever way makes the person whose name day it is feel most comfortable. Some people gather family and friends at home, some go out to dinner at a restaurant, and some don’t organize a celebration at all. Flowers, sweets, a book, a favorite perfume, or another small gift that is sure to please the person can make for a nice present. But it’s not the gifts that matter most—it’s the thoughtfulness and warm words.
If the person celebrating their name day is religious, you can wish that their heavenly patron will always protect them and help them in life. Such a wish goes well with traditional wishes for health, peace, and well-being.
How to Congratulate Someone on Their Name Day
A name day greeting doesn’t have to be long. The main thing is to speak sincerely and avoid overly formal phrases. You can wish them health, love, peace, happiness, prosperity, and the fulfillment of their wishes. It’s also appropriate to mention the guardian angel and wish that they will always be by your side.
For example: “Happy Name Day! May your heavenly guardian always be by your side, protect you from misfortune, and help you overcome all difficulties. I wish you good health, peace, love, joy, and many happy moments.”
For a short message, try this: “Happy Name Day! May your guardian angel always watch over you, and may you be surrounded by kind and reliable people. I wish you happiness, good health, love, and the fulfillment of your deepest dreams.”
And for a loved one, you can make the greeting more personal. For example, you can wish them success in a specific endeavor, the fulfillment of a long-held dream, or simply tell them how much you appreciate them. It’s precisely these kinds of words that often stick in people’s minds much better than ready-made templates.
