In Cyprus it is a common practice to celebrate name days. In fact, here they are treated more importantly than birthdays. This is because they are linked to the Greek Orthodox Church and dedicating a memory of a saint or perhaps a martyr from the holy bible.

If someone is named after a saint, this is cause for even larger celebrations of their name day.  Tradition allows for gifts or money to be given to children up to the age of 14, however adults are expected to do the entertaining on their name day rather than be fussed over or offered gifts as in the way of our birthday celebrations.

It is common here for someone celebrating their name day to take special pastries into work with them to offer their colleagues and for them to put on a running buffet of traditional goodies in the evening for their friends who will visit to wish them Chronia Polla!

Some of the most popular name days for each month are listed below: