Slavic peoples have long had a tradition of giving their babies the names that were given to the Christians who glorified the church. At the moment, a huge number of people are arguing that some historical figures were canonized as saints undeservedly or by mistake. However, despite this fact, it is worth saying that most of the characters included in the church calendar called "Saints" really made a huge contribution to the development of Christianity.
Choose the right one
Until now, many people choose the name of their daughter by looking at the "Monthly Book", which offers a choice of names of girls by month and date of birth. Representatives of the male sex, famous for their virtues, are also present in the Saints. In any case, regardless of the gender of the child, choose a nameit is necessary with a shift of eight days ahead from the date of birth of the baby. This tradition dates back to the heyday of Christianity. At that hour, it was customary to baptize the baby on the eighth day after his birth. That's when the name was chosen. This number - 8 - symbolizes the Kingdom of Heaven, to which everyone who has passed the rite of baptism joins.
Matrons, nuns, martyrs
In "Saints" one line contains the names of boys and girls. By months there is an initial division. Then comes the breakdown by day. In the Monthly Book, next to the name of the holy person, his / her occupation is also indicated. For example, on January 1, the Orthodox Church celebrates the name day of Aglaida of Rome, the matron. As a rule, preference is given to the options most often found in "Saints".
Origins
In this church calendar, the Russian names of girls by months are located next to their ancient Byzantine "colleagues". The reason for this lies in the origins of Christianity. As you know, it was the Byzantine Empire that became the birthplace of the most massive religion of our time. Therefore, even an unusual-sounding nickname can have truly Christian origins.
Familiar analogues
The most common names for girls by month are Mary, John, Martha. Hieromartyrs, matrons, blessed, righteous and many other women are sung by the church every day. Many canonical names have long been forgotten. Some of them irrevocablylost, others - modified in a modern way. For example, John. This name is not currently in use. He was replaced by a more familiar and familiar analogue to everyone - Zhanna. The same can be said about other Christian names for girls. For months and days, Fotina, Nika, Martha, etc. are no longer used. They were successfully replaced by Svetlana, Veronika and Marta.
It is believed that having received the name of a holy person at baptism, the child acquires his Guardian Angel in her person. It is he who conveys to the baby, and then to an adult, the will of God. Therefore, the day of baptism was celebrated earlier more magnificently than the birthday and was called the Day of the Angel.
Holy Virgin Mary and Savior Jesus Christ
Every year, "Saints", which includes the names of boys and girls by month and day, change slightly. In particular, new personalities are included in the list and, accordingly, new Angels for newborns appear. It is noteworthy that there is not a single entry in honor of Jesus Christ in the Monthly Book. The reverence experienced before the son of God and the Savior does not allow mere mortals to be called with such a name. Similarly, with the Most Pure Mother of Jesus - the Virgin Mary. Girls are called by this name in honor of completely different holy personalities. The chanting of Mary takes place in the church about 40 times a year. That is why this name used to be very common.
Return to the past
Many traditions have sunk into oblivion. Some of them have found a second life. Now it has again become popular to name your child, relying on the "Saints". Today, the following church names of girls by month and day are the most common:
- Mary. The service in honor of the holy women bearing this name is held about forty times a year. At the same time, it sometimes happens that the name days of several saints can be celebrated on the same day. For example, on February 8, a service is held for Maria Lelyanova and Maria Portnova. Both of them are nuns.
- Anastasia. This name has been and remains popular. In the Monthly Book fifteen times there is a holy person named Anastasia. Some of them are honored by the church twice. For example, Grand Duchess and Martyr Anastasia Romanova.
- Christina. The original form of the modern name was the name Christina. Name days of holy women are celebrated several times a year: February 19, March 26, the last day of May, June 13, August 6 and 18. At the same time, a separate person is honored on each separate day.
July Olga and February Euphrosyne
Let's see which month this or that female name belongs to.
Month |
Name |
| Winter | |
| January | Evgenia, Anastasia, Ulyana, Tatyana, Nina, Theodora, Aglaya, Domna and others |
| February | Christina, Maria, Zoya, Inna, Ann,Efrosinya, Agafya, Anastasia, etc. |
| Spring | |
| March | Kristina, Marina, Theodora, Kira, Antonina, Evdokia, Ulyana, Galina, Regina, Nika, etc. |
| April | Tamara, Claudia, Theodosia, Praskovya, Daria, Lydia, Alla, Sofia, Svetlana, Anastasia, Nika, Larisa, Martha, and others |
| May | Zoya, Valentina, Pelageya, Alexandra, Efrosinya, Maria, Glyceria, Claudia, Susanna, Christina, Faina, Glafira, Irina, Taisiya, Evdokia, Tamara, Julia |
| Summer | |
| June | Ulyana, Elena (Alena), Anna, Christina, Thekla, Claudia, Euphrosyne, Martha, Antonina, Kaleria, Sophia, Feodosia, Nelly, Maria, Akulina, Theodora, Valeria, Kira |
| July | Inna, Valentina, Uliana, Zhanna, Alevtina, Julianna, Anna, Olga, Marina, Efimiya, Sarah, Agrippina, Julia, Evdokia, Martha, Rimma, Margarita, Angelina, Elena |
| August | Seraphim, Olympias, Anita, Valentina, Concordia, Magdalena, Christina, Praskovya, Anna, Olympias, Milena, Svetlana, Maria, Susanna, Nonna |
| Autumn | |
| September | Rufina, Love, Vassa, Lyudmila, Anna, Natalia, Vasilisa, Vera, Hope, Theodora, Martha, Domna, Raisa |
| October | Veronica, Efrosinya, Taisia,Praskovya, Anna, Marianna, Zinaida, Evlampiya Thekla, Virineya, Ustinya, Pelageya, Ustinya, Irina, Ariadna, Sophia |
| November | Elena, Anna, Alena, Claudia, Theodora, Ulyana, Maria, Nelly, Kapitolina, Glykeria, Praskovya, Nenila |
| Winter | |
| December | Angelina, Anfisa, Varvara, Anna, Augusta, Olga, Marina, Ulyana, Zoya, Cepilia, Ekaterina, Augusta |
"Onomastics" to help
For many, when choosing, the meaning of the names of girls has a decisive influence. By months and days, you can choose the option you like by choosing an Angel for your baby. But one thing - how the name sounds, and quite another - what is the meaning of it. In this case, onomastics will be an excellent help. This science deciphers all the secrets and reveals the original meaning of not only surnames, but also patronymics and nicknames of people. Whether the daughter will be a scientist, a highly qualified specialist or a person of a creative warehouse - all this also directly depends on the chosen name. Attitude towards loved ones, family, friends, nature and animals, character traits, mindset and direction of activity can be suggested by onomastics, having analyzed all the necessary data.
Not only the Orthodox Church has "Saints". Many other religions also rely on similar calendars. Among the Hindus, such a book is the Hindu Dharma. Muslim names of girls by month can be gleaned from the Koran orhistorical manuscripts relating to the life of the Prophet Muhammad.
