SVCS
Name Day

Name Day for Zhivko

Everything about the date, name variants, and traditions

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Primary18 January
Atanasovden
January

Atanasovden (Winter Atanas Day) - Name day for Atanas, Atanaska, Nasko, Asya, Zhivko, Zhivka and related names. Celebrated on January 18th - patron saint day of blacksmiths.

Celebrating names:

АтанасАтанаскаАсяНаскоНасяНастяТаньоЖивкоЖивкаТинаНансиТанкоТанкаНачоТинка
→ View full holiday page→ Other January holidays
13 February
St. Evlogi
February

St. Evlogi - Name day for Evlogi, Evlogia, Zoya. Celebrated on February 13th in honor of St. Evlogi.

Celebrating names:

ЕвлогиЕвлогияЗояЖивкаСветлаСветлана
→ View full holiday page→ Other February holidays

About the name Zhivko

Etymology & meaning

Zhivko is a Slavic wish-name from the root "zhiv" (alive) — "may he live", given as a blessing for life and health. The feminine is Zhivka; both are typically Bulgarian, without direct Western counterparts.

History & patron saint

The folk calendar attached Zhivko and Zhivka to Atanasovden (18 January) — the memory of Saint Athanasius the Great, whose Greek name means "immortal". The semantic pair "immortal–alive" explains why the names of life celebrate on precisely this day.

Traditions & customs

Atanasovden is a winter feast — in folk reckoning "midwinter", when winter turns toward spring. Celebrants treat guests for health and long life; in some regions a kurban is prepared.

Popularity & notable bearers

Zhivko and Zhivka are among the durable folk names, strongest in the mid-20th century; the surname Zhivkov is among the most recognisable in modern Bulgarian history.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the name day for Zhivko?

Zhivko is celebrated on 18 January and 13 February.

Which names celebrate on 18 January?

On 18 January, name day is celebrated by those named Zhivko and related Bulgarian name variants (15 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 Zhivko mean?

Zhivko is a Slavic wish-name from the root "zhiv" (alive) — "may he live", given as a blessing for life and health. The feminine is Zhivka; both are typically Bulgarian, without direct Western counterparts.

How popular is Zhivko in Bulgaria?

Zhivko and Zhivka are among the durable folk names, strongest in the mid-20th century; the surname Zhivkov is among the most recognisable in modern Bulgarian history.

Names celebrating with Zhivko

AtanasSvetlanaZoya / ZoeEvlogi

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