Namesakes
Unlike the english, who celebrate thier birthday on the date they were born, the greek people celebrate thier naming day. The first child is usually named after their father's parents, while the second is named after thier mother's side of the family.
The greeks are a very religious people and everyone is named after a saint which is why they celebrate thier "name day" on the saints day in the religious calendar.
Most greeks are happy to be called by thier english name.
Here are a few name days and the equivalent english name.

JAN 01  Vassilis/Vassiliki.......William/Vicky
JAN 07  Yiannis/Ioanna......John/Joanne/Joanna
JAN 17  Adonis/Andonia.......Anthony/Anita
FEB 27  Theodoros.......Theodore
APR 15  Leonides.........Leo
APR 17  Iosef.........Joseph
APR 24  Elisavet........Elizabeth
MAY 01  Yorgos/Geogia........George/Georgina
MAY 21  Eleni/Kostas...........Helen/Constantine
JUN 29  Petros/Pavlos...........Peter/Paul
AUG 15 Thespina.......Deborah
OCT 26  Dimitrios.......Jim/James
NOV 08 Michalis.........Michael
NOV 14 Phillipos........Phillip
NOV 25  Katerina.......Catherine
NOV 30  Andreas.......Andrew
DEC 15  Leftheris..........Terence
DEC 27  Stephanos............Stephen

Spiros is one of the most common names in greece yet has no english equivalent.


 

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