Name days are a tradition in many eastern European countries. The custom originated with Catholic and Orthodox churches, who would have a calendar of saint’s days, and people who were named after a particular saint would feast on that saint’s day. Nowadays, Latvians designate four or five names to each day, around 1,000 a year
They are celebrated much like one’s birthday. People celebrating their name day bring goodies to work or school. Occasionally, at home they will eat cake and receive presents, although that is more popular on birthdays, and name days seem to be celebrated more at work or school.
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