About the name Ivan / John
Etymology & meaning
Ivan is the Bulgarian form of the Hebrew Yohanan (יוֹחָנָן) — "God is gracious", "God has given". Through the Greek Ἰωάννης and Church Slavonic Иоанн it reached every Slavic language: Ivan, Johann, Jan, John, Jean and Juan are the same word. Bulgarian uses Иван and Йоан, the feminine Иванка, Ивана, Йоанна and Ваня, and the familiar Ваньо and Ванка.
History & patron saint
The name day is tied to Saint John the Baptist — the prophet who baptised Christ in the river Jordan, called the Forerunner in Orthodoxy. Ivanovden (7 January) follows immediately after Yordanovden, and together the two close the Christmas–New Year cycle. Separately venerated is Saint Ivan of Rila, the most revered Bulgarian saint, founder of the Rila Monastery and heavenly patron of the Bulgarian people, whose feasts fall several times a year.
Traditions & customs
Ivanovden is the day of water: by tradition the celebrants — especially couples married in the past year — bathe in the river or have a bucket of cold water poured over them for health. The custom survives in many villages and has shrunk to a symbolic sprinkling in the cities. The table carries ritual bread and wine, and guests arrive uninvited throughout the day. Ivanovden is also considered a day of reconciliation, when estranged relatives make peace.
Popularity & notable bearers
Ivan has been the most common male name in Bulgaria for generations and is the root of the country's most widespread surname, Ivanov. It was borne by Ivan Vazov, the patriarch of Bulgarian literature. Thanks to its double feast — Ivanovden and the days of Saint Ivan of Rila — the name has an unusually strong presence in the calendar.
Suitable gifts
Classic gifts are an icon of Saint Ivan of Rila, a bottle of rakia or wine for the table, and something warm for the season — a scarf, gloves, good tea. Newlyweds marking their first Ivanovden are also given something for the home.