What is a Name Day? I see a list of names at the bottom of this forum, but I don't know why there are certain names on certain days. Why are Name Days celebrated after all? Are they like birthdays?
Google ''saints' days''. Not unusual to Poland; around half of Europe and Latin America celebrate people's name day.
As for the water, it's a hangover from a pre Christian fertility tradition. Very similar to various traditions in the UK and elsewhere. Not strictly legal in Poland if the victim is unwilling: every year there are arrests for public order offences.
I prefer name day to birthday. First of all, no one asks you how many name days has it been. And on some of the more popular name days, everyone is partying. The only caviat is that your name needs a patron saint.
Merged: Happy name day to all the Ewa's and Eva's and Eve's out there.
They've been jipped out of good portion of the presents their whole lives because their name day falls on Christmas Eve. And Adam's too. Have a good one!
