A name day is a day in the calendar tied to a first name, and everyone with that name gets congratulated on it. If you have moved to the Baltics, the main thing to know is this: in Latvia, name days matter a lot. In Estonia, much less. Get that right and you will avoid a small but real social mistake.

We are based in Valga, which shares a border, and a town, with Valka in Latvia. So we see both habits side by side.

Latvia: a second birthday

In Latvia, your vārda diena is a proper occasion. Expect this:

• Colleagues will congratulate you, and you are often expected to bring cake, pastries or sweets to work for the team.
• Friends and family send messages and sometimes flowers.
• Some people host a small get-together in the evening.
• The name day calendar is official and printed in nearly every Latvian calendar, so people really do check it.

If you work with Latvians, put their name days in your calendar. Saying “Daudz laimes vārda dienā!” on the right morning is one of the easiest ways to show you have made an effort.

Estonia: a quiet nod

In Estonia, nimepäev is usually low-key. A colleague might spot it in the calendar and say “Palju õnne nimepäevaks!”, a grandmother might phone, and that is often it. Nobody will be offended if you miss it.

The exception is a handful of name days that are also old folk holidays. These are known across the country:

• 10 November, Mardipäev: Mart, Martin. Children go door to door in costumes.
• 25 November, Kadripäev: Kadri, Katrin, Kati. Same tradition, lighter costumes.
• 24 June, Jaanipäev: Jaan, Johannes, Juhan. Midsummer, the biggest summer holiday in Estonia.
• 29 September, Mihklipäev: Mihkel. Traditionally the end of harvest.
• 21 December, Toomapäev: Toomas. The start of the Christmas period in the old calendar.

If you know a Mart, a Kadri or a Jaan, those are the days to say something.

Midsummer: name days on both sides

The longest days of the year are the one time both countries go all in at once. In Latvia, Līga celebrates on 23 June (Līgo) and Jānis on 24 June (Jāņi). In Estonia, Jaan and the other forms of Johannes celebrate on 24 June. Bonfires, food and very little sleep follow on both sides of the border.

What to write

Keep it short. A name day message is lighter than a birthday one.

• Latvian: Daudz laimes vārda dienā! (Happy name day!)
• Estonian: Palju õnne nimepäevaks! (Happy name day!)
• Estonian, a little warmer: Ilusat nimepäeva ja rõõmsat meelt! (Have a lovely name day and a happy heart!)
• English, for an office card: Happy name day! Thanks for the cake.

What to give

Nobody expects a big present. Flowers, chocolate or a card are normal. Since the day is literally about someone’s name, a small item with the name on it is a nice touch. We sell engraved gifts and photo keyrings that work well for this, and our own greeting cards for 2 euros each.

For birthdays, see our list of Estonian birthday wishes with translations. The Estonian version of this post has ten ready-made name day wishes in Estonian.

Frequently asked questions

What is a name day?

A name day is a date in the calendar linked to a first name. Everyone with that name is congratulated on that day. The custom comes from the Christian calendar of saints.

Are name days celebrated in Latvia?

Yes, and quite seriously. In Latvia a name day (vārda diena) is close to a second birthday. Colleagues bring cake to work, friends send messages and flowers are common.

Are name days celebrated in Estonia?

Less than in Latvia. Names are printed in most Estonian calendars and family or colleagues may say congratulations, but big celebrations are rare. Folk holidays like Mardipäev and Kadripäev are the exception.

How do you say happy name day in Latvian and Estonian?

In Latvian: "Daudz laimes vārda dienā!" In Estonian: "Palju õnne nimepäevaks!" Both mean "Lots of happiness on your name day".

What do you give someone for their name day?

Something small. Flowers, chocolate, a card or a small personalised item are typical. In a Latvian office, the person celebrating often brings cake for everyone.