History, meaning & Austrian customs surrounding the name day
In Austria, people are congratulated not only on their birthday — in many families, a name day is also a lovely occasion for a small greeting.
What is a name day?
A name day is the feast day of a saint or blessed person whose name appears in the church calendar – often the name received at baptism. If someone is called “Anna,” for example, their name day is on 26 July (the feast day of Saint Anne). “Josef” is usually celebrated on 19 March (St. Joseph’s Day).
The name day is based on the calendar of saints of the Catholic Church, in which one or more saints are assigned to each day. Since children in Catholic families were traditionally named after saints, everyone automatically had a name day.
The history of the name day
This tradition has medieval roots. As the veneration of saints grew, feast days became more important in the calendar – and anyone who bore a saint’s name automatically had a personal “calendar day.”
In Catholic regions, the name day was long a familiar part of everyday life because it was visible in the calendar. Over time, birthdays became more important in many families – yet the name day remains a cherished small tradition in Austria to this day.
How much a name day is celebrated in Austria depends greatly on the family, the region, and personal tradition. In Vienna, many people are familiar with name days – while others simply acknowledge them in passing.
Popular name days in Austria
- St. Joseph’s Day (19 March): A well-known name day; in some federal states, it is also a regional public holiday
- St. Anna’s Day (26 July): Feast day of Saint Anne – for many families, a lovely occasion to send greetings
- St. Stephen’s Day (26 December): feast day of St. Stephen. In Austria, it is a public holiday
- St. Leopold’s Day (15 November): especially well known in Vienna and Lower Austria; events are often held around Klosterneuburg
- St. Florian’s Day (4 May): patron saint of the fire brigade; in many places linked to church celebrations or local festivities
- St. Martin’s Day (11 November): lantern processions and Martin’s goose — celebrated differently depending on the region
Flowers for a Name Day
Traditionally, you give something small and personal for a name day — a floral greeting is a perfect choice. Unlike a birthday, it does not have to be a large bouquet. If you are unsure, this guide can help too: Flowers as a Gift. Suitable ideas:
- Single rose: Simple, elegant, personal — in the recipient’s favorite color. Roses
- Seasonal mini bouquet: A small bouquet with a few stems of the current season — modest, but thoughtful
- Potted plant: A flowering potted plant (cyclamen in winter, primrose in spring) — lasts longer than cut flowers
- Potted herb: For the kitchen — practical and personal
- Flower of the patron saint: Some saints are associated with a particular flower — the lily for Mary, the rose for St. Thérèse
Tip: A name day is a lovely occasion for a spontaneous gesture. A single flower with a short card — “Happy Name Day!” — makes more of an impression than you might think. Older people especially appreciate it when someone remembers the day.
Name Day vs. Birthday — an Austrian comparison
In Austria, an interesting coexistence of both traditions has developed:
- Birthday: the “official” celebration with a party, gifts, and cake. Common internationally
- Name day: the “intimate” celebration — usually marked within the family circle, with small thoughtful gestures. In Austria (especially in traditionally Catholic regions), it is still widely known
In some offices, people are congratulated on their name day — a quick “Happy name day” among colleagues is perfectly natural. In some families, the name day is also a fixed date in the calendar; in others, it hardly matters at all.
Flower greetings from MoBlumen Vienna
Small bouquets, single flowers, and thoughtful little gestures — delivered quickly in Vienna.
Frequently asked questions about name days
It is the feast day of the saint whose name you received at baptism. It is based on the Catholic calendar of saints and is still observed in Austria today as a personal celebration day.
Yes, in many families – especially where Catholic traditions are still cherished. In Vienna, people sometimes offer congratulations among colleagues or within the family. In some federal states, St. Joseph’s Day (19 March) is also a regional public holiday.
The easiest way is to check a calendar (printed or online) under your first name. Some names appear on several days – in that case, people often celebrate the date that is customary in the family or the one that matches their patron saint.
A single rose, a small seasonal bouquet, or a blooming potted plant. It doesn’t have to be a grand gift — it’s the gesture that matters. A particularly personal touch: the flower of your patron saint, for example a lily for Maria or a rose for Therese.
