Polish Name Day Traditions: Imieniny, the Celebration That Rivals Birthdays

There is a reason Polish calendars print two or three names at the bottom of every single date. Name days — called imieniny — are serious business in Poland.

For much of Polish history, imieniny were considered more important than birthdays. The logic was practical: asking someone their age or birth date was considered intrusive. But everyone knew their name day because it was printed on every calendar in the country.

The tradition has evolved but not diminished. Modern Poles celebrate both birthdays and name days, though the relative importance varies by generation. Older Poles often prefer name day celebrations. Younger generations tend to favor birthdays but still acknowledge their imieniny.

A typical Polish name day celebration involves inviting family and close friends for dinner. The celebrant hosts — preparing food, cake, and drinks. Guests bring flowers (always an odd number, never even — even numbers are for funerals) or modest gifts. Toasts are given. The birthday song Sto lat (a hundred years) is sung.

At school, children celebrating their imieniny bring candy or small treats for classmates. At work, it is common to receive congratulations and sometimes a small collection from colleagues.

What makes the Polish name day calendar particularly interesting is its density. Popular Polish names like Andrzej, Katarzyna, and Jan appear on multiple dates throughout the year. The Name Day Calculator shows all dates for every name — Poland often has the longest list.

Some of the most celebrated Polish name days include March 19 (Jozef), June 24 (Jan), November 30 (Andrzej), and November 25 (Katarzyna). Andrzejki, the eve of St. Andrew's Day on November 29, has become one of Poland's biggest party nights — a fortune-telling celebration similar to Halloween.

The Polish name day tradition has traveled with the diaspora. Polish-American communities in Chicago, New York, and across the Midwest maintain imieniny celebrations. If you have Polish heritage, checking your name day might connect you to a tradition your grandparents cherished.

Find your Polish name day with our Name Day Calculator. Then explore date differences between your birthday and name day, or discover your zodiac sign.