Why do Polish people celebrate the name day?

I don't understand the other day my husband tells me it was his name day, 2 weeks before that it was his birthday. I'm american and we only celebrate birthdays. Can anyone explain to me the point of the name day and why is it celebrated?

And why not? It's a Polish tradition. Just like Thanksgiving is American one. But I don't think that anyone in Poland would think about questioning the right to celebrate it by Americans present in my country.

salsa
Wikipedia has a good description, worth a read: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_day

Don,t worry, I think they have a day for everything in Poland, Child,s Day, Grandma,s Day etc etc .........

My miss is always waking up telling me its some day for something in Poland

Actually, I've heard that as people get older, they tend to celebrate name day more than birthdays. I am thinking this may become my tradition, too! LOL

Thank you everyone i'll read the wikipedia, my name is Antoinette so what is my day so I can get presents? lol

Antoinette = Antonina

It’s listed 4 times

1st of March
3rd of May
12th of June
31st of October

Traditionally Names Day is celebrated on the closest date listed after birthday.
As for the presents it depends, have you been naughty or nice?

Thank you

ShortHairThug


So they don't celebrate each one? Like if they have two name days in one month?

salsa
name day is usually celebrated more often when you hit your forties, fifties, sixties... and you're not so eager anymore to tell the world how old you are, but you still want to have a party, invite your family and friends to have some fun.

well... if the only answer is 'it's a tradition' without even trying to explain anything... than the best thing to do is to stop doing it. seriously. if you don't know why you are doing it (i.e. celebreting imieniny)- than don't do it.

and, personally- i've never understood it (despite i've been born and raised in poland) :|

@mira

adult man need no reason like that to get some fun :)