Name Day on September 4, 2026: Who Celebrates Their Name Day and the Meanings of Names
On August 4, 2026, people with several different male and female names celebrate their name days. According to the OCU calendar, this day honors the Seven Youths of Ephesus, the martyr Eudokia, the martyr Eleutherius, and a number of other common names.
August 4 is a day when people with various names can celebrate their name days. However, the lists vary depending on which calendar is used. In the official calendar of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, this day commemorates the Seven Youths of Ephesus, the martyr Eudokia, and the martyr Eleutherius. The Seven Youths include Maximilian, Yamvlikh, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodian (also known as Constantine), and Antonin.
Therefore, if you follow the OCU calendar specifically, the following names have their name days on August 4:
Name Days According to the OCU Calendar
Maximilian—a name of Latin origin. It is associated with the meaning “the greatest” or “one who belongs to the Maximus family.”
Yamblich—an ancient name of Eastern origin. It is associated with ancient Syrian and Greek traditions.
Martinian — derives from the Latin Martinianus, which is associated with the name Mars. Figuratively, the name is associated with courage and strength.
John — an ancient Hebrew name meaning “God is gracious” or “God has shown mercy.”
Dionysius—a name of ancient Greek origin associated with the god Dionysus. It is traditionally interpreted as “dedicated to Dionysus.”
Konstantin — derived from the Latin Constantinus, it means “steadfast,” “constant,” or “unchanging.”
Antonin is a Latin name associated with the ancient Roman family name Antonius. It is traditionally interpreted as “one who belongs to the family of the Antonii.”
Eleutherius—an ancient Greek name meaning “free” or “one who grants freedom.”
Eudokia is a female name of Greek origin. It can be translated as “good will,” “favor,” or “she who is well-regarded.”
These are the names directly associated with the saints whom the OCU will honor on August 4, 2026.
Who Are the Seven Youths of Ephesus?
On this day, the Church commemorates seven young men whom Christian tradition refers to as the Seven Youths of Ephesus. According to church tradition, they were Christians who lived in Ephesus around the 3rd century. During the persecution of Christians, they hid in a cave, where they fell asleep.
The legend tells that the youths awoke many years later and did not understand why everything around them had changed. It is this story that formed the basis of one of the well-known Christian narratives about the Seven Sleeping Youths. The OCU lists their names as Maximilian, Yamvlikh, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodian (Constantine), and Antonin.
Name Days According to Popular Calendars
If we look not only at the official OCU calendar but also at popular Ukrainian name day calendars, the list will be longer. In particular, one such calendar lists August 4, 2026, as the name day for Andriy, Denys, Dmytro, Ivan, Kostyantyn, Kuzma, Mykhailo, Oleksiy, Semen, Daryna, and Iryna.
A brief note on the meanings of these names:
Andriy — “manly,” “brave.” The name comes from Ancient Greek.
Denis — traditionally interpreted as “dedicated to Dionysus.” It has Ancient Greek origins.
Dmytro — “dedicated to Demeter.” An ancient Greek name associated with the goddess of the earth and fertility.
Ivan — “God is gracious.” This is the Ukrainian form of the ancient Hebrew name Yohanan.
Konstantin — “steadfast,” “constant.” A name of Latin origin.
Kuzma — the Ukrainian form of the Greek name Kosmas, which is associated with the meanings “order,” “world,” and “beauty.”
Mykhailo — “Who is like God?” The name is of ancient Hebrew origin.
Oleksiy — “defender,” “one who protects.” It derives from the ancient Greek name Alexios.
Semen — a name of ancient Hebrew origin. It is interpreted as “heard” or “God has heard.”
Daryna — a name that, according to one of the main theories, has ancient Persian roots and is associated with the meanings “ruler” and “she who possesses goodness.” Another common interpretation is “gifted.”
Iryna means “peace” or “tranquility.” It derives from the ancient Greek name Eirene.
This expanded list should be viewed specifically as a popular name day calendar, rather than a literal list of saints whom the OCU honors on this day. Other calendars may present a slightly different set of names.
Why Name Day Lists Vary
Different calendars may list different names for the same date. The reason is that a name day is associated with the commemoration of a specific saint, and the same person may have several name days throughout the year.
In addition, modern Ukrainian calendars may be compiled according to different principles. Some are based directly on the church calendar, while others compile a broader list of names traditionally associated with a specific date. Therefore, for August 4, 2026, it makes sense to distinguish between the official calendar of the OCU and the expanded, popular name day calendars.
How to Congratulate Someone on Their Name Day
On a name day, people usually wish the person health, peace, well-being, and strength. You can also wish that their heavenly patron will help them in difficult situations and protect them from misfortune. The greeting doesn’t have to be formal. A few sincere words from loved ones are enough.
For example, you can wish Andriy strength and confidence, Ivan—peace of mind, Kostyantyn—steadfastness in important matters, and Daryna—joy and the fulfillment of her wishes. The most important thing on this day is to remember the person, congratulate them, and wish them what truly matters to them.
