Name Day on September 3, 2026: Who Celebrates Their Name Day and the Meanings of Names
On September 3, 2026, many men celebrate their name day, and among the female names associated with this day are Vasilisa, Fiva, and Domna. According to popular calendars, people named Andriy, Vasyl, Volodymyr, Ivan, Illia, Kostyantyn, Mykola, Mykhailo, Oleksiy, Petro, Pylyp, Roman, Serhiy, and Yukhym also celebrate their name days on this day. In the OCU’s church calendar, September 3 commemorates several saints at once, so the list of names may vary across different calendars.
In 2026, according to the New Julian calendar, the following people may celebrate their name days on September 3:
Male names:
- Andriy — a name of Greek origin meaning “manly” or “brave.”
- Vasyl — derived from Greek, meaning “royal” or “regal.”
- Volodymyr — a Slavic name meaning “he who rules the world” or “known for his power.”
- Ivan — an ancient Hebrew name, translated as “God is gracious.”
- Ilya is a biblical name associated with the meaning “my God is the Lord.”
- Konstantin is a Latin name meaning “constant” or “steadfast.”
- Mykola is of Greek origin and means “conqueror of nations.”
- Mykhailo is an ancient Hebrew name meaning “Who is like God?”
- Alexei is a Greek name meaning “defender” or “protector.”
- Peter—derives from a Greek word meaning “stone” or “rock.”
- Philip is a Greek name that literally means “one who loves horses.”
- Roman—of Latin origin, meaning “Roman” or “resident of Rome.”
- Serhiy—a name of Latin origin; it is traditionally associated with the meanings “tall,” “respected,” and “noble.”
- Yukhim — comes from Greek and means “kind,” “one who speaks kind words.”
Female names:
- Vasilisa—a Greek name, the feminine form of Vasyl; it means “royal,” “queen.”
- Theba — an ancient Greek name; it is associated with the name of the ancient city of Thebes.
- Domna — of Latin origin, meaning “lady,” “mistress.”
In some calendars, the list of names is more extensive. This is because different publications compile lists of name days in different ways: some focus only on the most common names, while others include all the saints mentioned in the church calendar. For example, the OCU calendar for September 3 mentions the holy martyr Anfim of Nicomedia, the deacons Theophilus and Migdonius, the martyrs Dorotheus, Mardonius, Peter, Indicus, Gorgon, Zinon, Euthymius, the Venerable Theoktist, Saint Theba, and the martyr Vasilisa of Nicomedia.
If a person follows the Old Church Calendar, some calendars also list the names Alexander, Paul, and Martha for September 3. The OCU switched to the New Julian calendar on September 1, 2023, but congregations that wish to do so are permitted to continue using the Julian calendar.
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 other words, it is not quite the same as a birthday. While a birthday is associated with a person’s birth, a name day has religious significance and is linked to a patron saint.
The tradition of celebrating a name day took root in Christian culture many centuries ago. Believers honored the saint whose name they received at baptism and turned to him in prayer. It was believed that the saint served as a person’s spiritual intercessor and a role model. That is why a name day is usually not limited to just gifts and a feast. Its main purpose is to remember the saint, pray, give thanks for life, and wish the person celebrating good health, strength, and happiness.
Why Name Day Dates May Vary
There is often confusion regarding names and name day dates. The reason is that in Ukraine, both the New Style and Old Style calendars are used simultaneously. Since 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine has been using the New Julian calendar for fixed holidays. At the same time, individual parishes and monasteries have the right to continue using the Julian calendar. Therefore, the same person may see their name celebrated on different dates depending on which calendar their family or community uses.
There is another reason. Different calendars may list different numbers of saints. One source lists only the most well-known names, while another includes the less common names of all the saints commemorated on that day. Therefore, if a person wants to determine their specific church name day, it is best to refer to the calendar of the church and community to which they belong.
How Name Days Are Celebrated
Name days are usually celebrated more quietly than major church holidays. In the morning, a person may go to church for a service, pray to their patron saint, and light a candle. In the celebrant’s family, loved ones traditionally offer their congratulations. A gift does not have to be expensive—thoughtfulness and kind words are considered far more important. It could be a book, flowers, a small symbolic gift, or something the person will truly enjoy.
If the name day falls on a regular weekday, there’s no need to organize a special feast. Often, it’s enough to gather with family or friends around a festive table. For believers, prayer remains an important part of this day. You can ask your patron saint for health, protection, and spiritual strength for yourself and your loved ones.
Church Holiday on September 3
September 3 in the Orthodox calendar is the day of remembrance for the Holy Martyr Anfim, Bishop of Nicomedia, and other martyrs who died for the Christian faith. The OCU also commemorates on this day Saint Thebe of Corinth, who was a deaconess, and the martyr Vasilisa of Nicomedia. Anfim lived during a period of persecution of Christians and served as bishop of Nicomedia. According to church tradition, he did not renounce his faith even under threat of death. Along with him, other martyrs who also suffered for Christianity are commemorated on this day.
Saint Theophila is mentioned separately in the calendar. She is known as a deaconess of the Church of Corinth. In early Christian tradition, deaconesses assisted the church community and ministered to the people. Also on September 3, the martyr Vasilisa of Nicomedia is honored. It is her name that is associated with one of the female name days on this date. Therefore, September 3 can be considered a particularly interesting day for those named Vasilisa—it has a direct connection to the church’s commemoration of this date.
Interesting Facts About Name Days
Name days do not always fall on just one date. If the church calendar lists several saints with the same name throughout the year, a person’s name day may be celebrated on different days. In some traditions, the day of remembrance for a saint with the same name that is closest to the person’s birthday is usually chosen. However, the specific order may depend on church tradition and the name given to the person at baptism.
It’s also interesting to note that not all modern names have a separate day in the Orthodox calendar. That’s why, during baptism, people sometimes choose a church form of the name that corresponds to a specific saint. Furthermore, name days were historically more significant than the “birthday” format we’re accustomed to. In Christian families, a saint’s feast day was seen as an occasion to reflect not only on the celebration but also on one’s own actions, virtues, and spiritual life.
Who to Congratulate on September 3
On September 3, it’s worth congratulating acquaintances named Andriy, Vasyl, Volodymyr, Ivan, Illia, Kostyantyn, Mykola, Mykhailo, Oleksiy, Petro, Pylyp, Roman, Serhiy, and Yukhym. Don’t forget about the women, either. On this day, name days are associated with Vasilisa, Fiva, and Domna, and according to the old calendar, also with Martha. So, on September 3, the calendar includes not only the usual male names but also several rare female names.
The most important thing about a name day isn’t the number of gifts or a lavish feast. It’s an occasion to remember a loved one, say kind words to them, and wish them what truly matters: health, peace, love, and strength.
