Today, on the 26th of July, I am having a little party. It’s La Festa di Sant’Anna, which means that it is my onomastico, my name day. I think Anne, like Anna, is a beautiful name. Simple yet melodic because it begins and ends with a vowel, a classic in so many languages – from Italian to Russian and from French to Dutch – and feminine and elegant. Between you and me, I think my name sounds even more beautiful in Italian because with the double N clearly audible, it rolls off the tongue a little more slowly, like a sweet dessert that is eaten slowly.
Anne. Here in Italy, it is Anna by default, and my friends from home have completely adopted that. It’s the name of my two great-grandmothers on my father’s side, and it’s my mother’s second name
Anne. Here in Italy, it is Anna by default, and my friends from home have completely adopted that. It’s the name of my two great-grandmothers on my father’s side, and it’s my mother’s second name. My high school French teacher called me Ann, my English friend says Annie and the owner of the coffee place in my street where I go several times a week greets me with Annette. I respond to all of them, because in the end, all these conjugations come from that one beautiful name: Anna. But where does this name actually come from itself? From Hebrew, as it turns out. It means ‘lovely’ and ‘grace’. The wide spread of the name is most probably due to the fact that Mary’s mother was called Anna. In Roman mythology, Anna was the sister of Queen Dido of Carthage.
It is especially the Italians whose names are derived from the more famous saints who also celebrate their name day. The most famous is undoubtedly San Valentino on the 14th of February
But how do the Italians actually celebrate their onomastico? And where does the idea of celebrating your name come from? It is originally a very religious tradition and widespread in the predominantly Catholic countries. Celebrating someone’s name is done on the day that the saint of the same name is honoured. It’s quite similar to your birthday: you buy some delicious treats at the pasticceria, you might receive flowers or a small present and via WhatsApp and Facebook people sent you their “buon onomastico” wishes, or just a simple “auguri!”. However, from my own experience I can say that it is not the same as having a birthday. Not everyone seems to celebrate his or her onomastico. It is especially the Italians whose names are derived from the more famous saints who also celebrate their name day. The most famous is undoubtedly San Valentino on the 14th of February, when all Valentinos and Valentinas celebrate their name day. The many Francescos and Francescas are also usually congratulated, as they celebrate their name day on the fourth of October, known, of course, as Animals’ Day. On the 19th of March it’s San Giuseppe, the day of Saint Joseph – father of baby Jesus – and therefore Father’s Day in Italy. By now you get the idea: apart from Father’s Day, it is àlso the onomastico of all Giuseppe’s, Beppe’s, Peppe’s, Giuseppina’s and Pina’s. And so, on all major holidays – Boxing Day is San Stefano in Italy for example – there is someone from your family or group of friends who celebrates his or her name day.
At one point something got my attention. It seemed that for many Italians their birthday and name day actually happen to be on the same day! That couldn’t be a coincidence, could it?
The longer I live in Italy, the more I learn about all the traditions, and at one point something got my attention. It seemed that for many Italians their birthday and name day actually happen to be on the same day! That couldn’t be a coincidence, could it? You guessed it already, it isn’t. Despite the fact that this is a tradition that has almost disappeared nowadays, it was very common a few decades ago for parents to name their new born babies after the saint who was honoured on the day of birth. My curiosity was aroused: if my parents had followed this tradition, what would my name have been? A quick check of the calendar of saints tells me that the second of January, my birthday, is the day of San Basilio Magno and some Gregorio saint. Ah, well. Let’s just say that I am very happy with the name I have. It also gives me the perfect excuse to throw a party not once, but even twice a year. In the middle of summer and in the middle of winter. You won’t get to hear me complaining about that…