About the name Jordan
Etymology & meaning
Yordan comes from the name of the river Jordan, in Hebrew Yarden (יַרְדֵּן) — "descending", "flowing down", from the verb yarad ("to go down"). It is a rare instance of a personal name drawn from a geographical one, given in memory of Christ's baptism in that river. Bulgarian forms include Йордан, Данчо, Данко and Дачо, with the feminine Йорданка, Дани and Данка.
History & patron saint
The name day falls on Theophany (6 January), known in Bulgaria as Yordanovden — the day on which, per the Gospel, John the Baptist baptised Christ in the river Jordan and the Holy Trinity was made manifest. The feast is one of the twelve Great Feasts of Orthodoxy and opens the Yordanovden–Ivanovden pairing that closes the Christmas–New Year cycle.
Traditions & customs
The central rite of Yordanovden is the throwing of the cross into water — a river, lake or the sea. Men plunge into the icy water, and whoever retrieves the cross is held to be blessed with health for the year. In Kalofer the tradition includes a men's horo danced in the freezing Tundzha — one of the most recognisable Bulgarian winter customs. After the blessing, celebrants return to a warm table with guests.
Popularity & notable bearers
Yordan is a traditional Bulgarian name with an enduring presence, and the feminine Yordanka is especially common among older generations. Notable bearers include the short-story writer Yordan Yovkov and the novelist Yordan Radichkov, two of the most singular voices in Bulgarian literature.
Suitable gifts
As the day falls in deep winter and revolves around icy water, the most practical gifts are warm ones — a towel, a robe, woollens, good tea. An icon of the Theophany and a bottle of rakia for after the blessing also suit.