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Name Day

Name Day for Ignat / Ignatius

Everything about the date, name variants, and traditions

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20 December
Ignazhden
December

Name day for Ignat and related names - St. Ignatius Day (Ignazhden). One of the most important Bulgarian winter holidays associated with the winter solstice and traditional beliefs about the beginning of the new year.

Celebrating names:

ИгнатИгнатаИгнатийИгноИгньоИгоИгонИгаИнаИгнаткаИгнеИскраИскренИгнасияИгнасиоАгнаОгнянОгнянаПламенПламенаСветославСветлаСветлана
→ View full holiday page→ Other December holidays

About the name Ignat / Ignatius

Etymology & meaning

Ignat comes from the Latin Ignatius, read through ignis — "fire". Bulgarian forms are Ignat, Ignatiy and the rarer Igna.

History & patron saint

Saint Ignatius the God-Bearer, bishop of Antioch and disciple of the apostles, was thrown to the beasts in Rome around 107 AD. His memory on 20 December is the folk Ignazhden — the day "the sun turns toward summer".

Traditions & customs

Ignazhden is the day of the "polyaznik" — the first guest across the threshold foretells the year, so households watch who steps in first. Christmas preparations begin from Ignazhden; the fire names — Ognyan, Plamen, Iskra — celebrate too.

Popularity & notable bearers

Ignat is rarer today, but Ignazhden remains one of December's most vital folk feasts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the name day for Ignat / Ignatius?

The name day for Ignat / Ignatius is on 20 December.

Which names celebrate on 20 December?

On 20 December, name day is celebrated by those named Ignat / Ignatius and related Bulgarian name variants (23 names in total).

How is the name day celebrated in Bulgaria?

Name day celebrants traditionally welcome guests at home, receive gifts and congratulations. It is a cherished family occasion throughout Bulgaria.

What does the name Ignat / Ignatius mean?

Ignat comes from the Latin Ignatius, read through ignis — "fire". Bulgarian forms are Ignat, Ignatiy and the rarer Igna.

How popular is Ignat / Ignatius in Bulgaria?

Ignat is rarer today, but Ignazhden remains one of December's most vital folk feasts.

Names celebrating with Ignat / Ignatius

SvetlanaPlamenOgnyanSvetoslav

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