He thought he was rescuing a sheep—but it turned out to be something else
This bizarre French customer habit is driving shop owners crazy
In December, saintly names light up our calendars. From Barbara to Pierre, Adèle, and Gatien, each name carries a rich history and strong symbolism. Explore their origins, meanings, and the days dedicated to them.
Your name or that of someone close might just be among those celebrated with the saints in December. The Christian calendar commemorates influential figures daily, such as Saint Ambrose on December 7th. This notable thinker and faith defender left his mark on the 4th century with his charisma and impactful writings. To learn more about these historically rich names or to remember a significant celebration, delve into the list of saint names of the month and their origins.
December 1: Saint Florence
December 1st honors Saint Florence and variations like Fiorenza, Florentia, Florentine, and Florise. The name Florence originates from the Latin Florentia, possibly linked to the Latin word faber, indicating a person skilled in crafting with wood, metal, and other materials. Another theory suggests it derives from the Latin florea, meaning “to flourish,” “flourishing,” or “in bloom,” referring to Saint Florence of Comblé, a 4th-century Christian disciple of Saint Hilaire.
Other names celebrated on December 1st include Eloi, Alar, Aloara, Aloy, Eloé, Eloy.
December 2: Saint Viviane
On December 2nd, Saint Viviane is celebrated along with variants like Vivian, Vivien, Vivienne, Viviana. The name Viviane comes from the Latin Vivianus, which means “full of life” or “lively,” originating from the Latin verb vivere, “to live.” It refers to Saint Viviane, who lived in Rome during the 4th century under the persecution of Julian the Apostate. Entrusted to a corrupt woman who tried to force her to renounce her faith, Viviane did not yield and was ultimately beaten to death by two executioners using leaded ropes.
Additional names to honor on December 2nd include Jessé, Jess, Jesse, Jessée, Jessie, Jessy, Jessye, Jessie, Jessica, Jessyca, Silvère, Sylver, Jan.
December 3: Saint Francis Xavier
December 3rd celebrates Saint Francis Xavier. The name Francis-Xavier is a compound originating from Francis, from the Latin francus, “free,” and Xavier, from the Basque etchebarri, “new house.” It refers to Saint Francis Xavier, a Basque Jesuit missionary and close associate of Ignatius of Loyola, who founded the Society of Jesus in the 16th century. He is the patron saint of missionaries, alongside Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
Other names recognized on December 3rd include Xavier, Xavière, Attala, Athalie, Attalia, Galgano.
December 4: Saint Barbara
December 4th is the feast of Saint Barbara. The name Barbara comes from the Latin barbarae, meaning “foreigner,” and had a pejorative connotation during the Roman Empire amid the great invasions, as it was related to the word “barbarian.” It refers to Saint Barbara, a beautiful young woman who vowed chastity after converting to Christianity and was martyred, killed by her own father, in Nicomedia in the 3rd century.
Additional names highlighted on December 4th include Varvara, Barbe, Barban, Barberine, Ada, Cyran, Meadow, Osmond, Osmonde, Osmund, Solal.
December 5: Saint Gerald
December 5th celebrates Saint Gerald and variants like Géraldo, Géraldy, and feminine forms Géralda, Géraldine, Géralde. The name Gerald comes from the ancient name Gerwald, composed of the Germanic elements gar, “spear,” and wald, “to rule.” It refers to Saint Gerald who lived in the 12th century, originally from Quercy, was a monk at Moissac Abbey, then Archbishop of Braga, Portugal, where he continued evangelization efforts during a period of de-Christianization caused by the Moors. He was also known for his wisdom and ability to extinguish conflicts.
Other names celebrated on December 5th include Gary, Bassus, Crispine, Houarvian, Hervian, Huvarnion, Hyvarnion, Sabas.
December 6: Saint Nicholas
On December 5th, Saint Nicholas and variants like Colas, Colin, Klaus, Neil, Nick, Nicky, Nicola, Nicolazic, Nicole, Nicolle, Niels, Nikolaï, Nolan are celebrated. The Greek roots nikê and laos in the name Nicholas mean “victory” and “people,” respectively. It refers to Christmas due to Saint Nicholas, who, according to legend, visits children and places gifts in their stockings. Saint Nicholas is also the patron saint of children.
Other names honored on December 6th include Colette, Caline, Coline, Colinette, Colleen, Kaline.
December 7: Saint Ambrose
December 7th marks the celebration of Saint Ambrose and variants like Ambrose, Ambrosio, Ambrogio, Amber, Ambrosius, Ambroisine, Ambre, Ambrosia. The name Ambrose comes from the Greek “ambrosia,” formed from the privative “a” and “brotos,” meaning “mortal.” Ambrosia is the honeyed food that, according to the Greeks, made the gods immortal. This name has been known since Latin antiquity as bearing a divine omen. It refers to Saint Ambrose, the beloved Bishop of Milan at the end of the 4th century.
Additional names celebrated on December 7th include Marie-Josèphe, Marie-José, Marie-Josée, Marie-Joséphine, Azenor, Khalid, Khalida.
December 8: Saint Conception
December 8th celebrates the Saint Conception and variants like Concepción, Concetta, Concettina, Concha, and Conchita. It refers to the feast of the conception of Mary, Holy Mother of God. Several other names are honored on December 8th, including Budog, Beuzec, Beuzeg, Bodoc, Bodvael, Bozael, Buzig, Eucher, Eutrope, Macaire, Romaric, Romarick, Romary, Romarie, Azucena.
December 9: Saint Leocadia
December 9th celebrates Saint Leocadia and variants like Léocadia, Léokadia, and Léokadja, Léocade. The name Leocadia comes from “Leukada,” a Greek island. It refers to Saint Leocadia, the patron saint of Toledo from time immemorial, who died a martyr. Another name celebrated on December 9th is Gorgonia.
December 10: Saint Eulalie
December 10th honors Saint Eulalie and its variants and diminutives like Eulalia, Eulaly, Laia, Lalla, Lallia, Lallie, Lally, Lalie, Laly, and Lalya. This ancient name derives from the Greek term eulalos, meaning “one who speaks pleasantly.” It refers to Saint Eulalie, a Spanish virgin and martyr of the 4th century. Other names celebrated on December 10th include Koulizh, Kouled, Kouli, and Lorette.
December 11: Saint Daniel
December 11th celebrates Saint Daniel and its variants like Dan, Dany, Danièle, Danielle, Daniella, Daniela, Danitza, Niels, Nilson, Nilsen, Nielson, Nielsen, Nelson. The name Daniel has a Hebrew biblical origin, from the word dayân, meaning “judge,” and el (from Elohim), one of the names of God in Jewish tradition. Daniel would thus mean “judged by God.” It refers to Saint Daniel, the biblical prophet from the tribe of Judah, considered the last of the four major prophets by the Catholic Church.
Several names are also celebrated on December 11th, including Damase, Gentien, Sabin, Savin, Victoric, Martin, Marty, Marzin.
December 12: Saint Corentin
December 12th celebrates Saint Corentin and its variants like Corentine, Curt, Kurt, Curtis, Courtois, Conrad, Konrad, Cora, Coralie, Coralia, Coralise, Corentine, Corine, Corina, Corinne, Corinna. The name Corentin is derived from the Breton name Kaourantin, meaning “friend.” It refers to Saint Corentin, who was the bishop of Quimper in the 5th century.
Other names highlighted on December 12th include Israel, Lupita, and Guadalupe.
December 13: Saint Lucy
December 13th celebrates Saint Lucy and its variants like Luce, Marie-Luce, Lucette, Lucia, Luz, Lucile, Lucille, Lucy, Lucio, Lucilio, Lucillio, and Lucius. The name Lucy comes from the Latin lux or lucis, meaning “light.” It refers to Saint Lucy, a martyr from Syracuse in the early 4th century who broke off her engagement to better devote herself to Christ.
Other names celebrated on December 13th include Aurore, Josse, Josselin.e, Jocelyn.e, Joyce, Linoa, Ursicin, Urcisse.
December 14: Saint Odile
December 14th honors Saint Odile and its variants like Odille, Othilde, Othilie, Odélia, and Marie-Odile. The name Odile is derived from the Germanic name Odila, meaning “prosperity.” It refers to Saint Odile, a Christian who was blind and founded a prosperous monastery that is now a pilgrimage site. Saint Odile dedicated her life to hosting lepers and the blind, whom she cared for in her monastery, and died in 720.
Additional names celebrated on December 14th include Agnel, Eginer, Egina, Mélodie, Mélodine, and Mélody, Nicaise, Venant, Venance, Fortunat, Fortuné, Arès.
December 15: Saint Nino
On December 15th, Saint Nino, or Nina, Ninon for a girl, is celebrated. The name Nino is a diminutive of numerous names of Latin origin. Also, in Spanish, niño means “little boy.” It refers to Saint Nino (or Nina, or Ninon), who, according to legend, performed miraculous healings. She converted the Queen Nana of Georgia to Christianity after healing her, followed by the king and eventually the entire country.
Many names are also celebrated on December 15th, including Tristan, Tristana, Tristane, Valérien, Valerian, Sigrid, Vixie, Virginie, Ginger, Ginny, Jinny, Virginia.
December 16: Saint Adelaide
December 16th celebrates Saint Adelaide. The name Adelaide comes from the Germanic name Adalhaid, composed of the elements adal, “noble,” and haid, “heath.” It refers to Saint Adelaide, the wife of the King of Italy and then Emperor Otto I. After her last husband’s death and during her regency, she founded many monasteries.
Several other names are honored on December 16th like Alida, Heidi, Alice, Adélaïs, Aïda, Alicia, Alix, Alyssa, Alyssia, Ayden, Azalaïs, Alizée, Adon, Adonis, and Hildemann.
December 17: Saint Judicael
On December 17th, Saint Judicael, or Judicaële and Judicaëlle for a girl, is celebrated. This name of Celtic origin was formed from the elements iud- and -hael, meaning “chief” and “generous,” respectively. It refers to Saint Judicael. King of Brittany from 632, he signed a peace treaty with King Dagobert and shortly thereafter became a monk.
On this date, it’s also the day of Gaël, Gaëlic, Gaëlig, Gaëla, Gaëlane, Gaëllane, Gaëlle, Aëla, Aëlig, Kaëlig, Helig, Abderrahmane, Wivine, Yolande, Yola, Yolanda, Yolane, and Yolette, Yolaine, Violaine, and Violette.
December 18: Saint Gatien
December 18th celebrates Saint Gatien, or Gatiane and Gatienne for a girl. The meaning of the name Gatien is related to the Latin word gatianus, which refers to the people of the Getae. It also comes from gatinus, denoting a marshy area, which gave its name to the Gâtinais (near Tours). It refers to Saint Gatien, the first bishop of Tours, considered the patron saint of cathedrals.
Other names celebrated on December 18th include Wynnebald, Winebald, Wunibald, Zosime, Zozima, Zozimène, Brian, Briand, Bryan, and Bryann, Briana, Brianna, Brianne, and Bryana.
December 19: Saint Urban
On December 19th, Saint Urban and its variants Urban, Urbano, Urbaine, Urbana, and Urbanie are celebrated. The name Urban comes from the Latin urbanus, meaning “city dweller.” It refers to Pope Urban V, from 1362 to 1370.
-
It’s also the feast day of Anastase, Darius, Daria, Dario, Darian, Darien, Daryl, Samantha, Thea, Theana, Stacey, Stacy, Stecy, and Stessy.
December 20: Saint Theophilus
December 20th celebrates Saint Theophilus. The name Theophilus is composed of the Greek terms theos and philos, meaning “god” and “friend,” respectively. It refers to Saint Theophilus, a Roman soldier stationed in Alexandria in the 3rd century who came to the aid of a Christian undergoing torture.
Other names honored on December 20th include Zenon, Zephyrin, Zeferino, Zefirino, Zephyr, Zephirine, Zephyrus, Abraham.
December 21: Saint Peter
On December 21st, Saint Peter and its variants Pedro, Perrine, Peter, Peterson, Petra, Petrouchka, Petroussia, Pey, Piera, Pierce, Piero, Pierrette, Pierrick, Pietro, Pieyre, Piotr are celebrated. The French name Pierre is derived from the Latin Petrus, meaning “rock.” It refers to Saint Peter Canisius. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church, he fought against the influence of Luther throughout his life.
On this date, names like Emeraude, Jade, Rubis, Ruby, and Sten are also celebrated.
December 22: Saint Francis Xavier
December 22nd celebrates Saint Francis Xavier and its variants Javière, Xavière, Xavéria, Xavérianne, Xavérie, Xaverine, Xavieira. This French name refers to Saint Francis Xavier, a young Italian missionary in the USA who will be proclaimed the Patron Saint of emigrants.
Other names honored on December 22nd include Adam, Adamo, Adams, Deved, Gratien, Gracien and female forms Gracienne, Gratienne, and Jutta.
December 23: Saint Armand
On December 23rd, Saint Armand, or Armande for a girl, is celebrated. Armand is a name derived from the Germanic terms “hart” and “mann,” meaning “strong” and “man.” It refers to Saint Armand of Bressanone, originally from Bavaria who entered the Order of the Regular Canons of Saint Augustine.
Several other names are also celebrated on this date, including Evariste, Evaristo, Evaristine, Gwenvael, Ganael, Guinal, Gwanaël, Gwenaël, Gwenaelle, Gwenva, Gwinal, Vendal, and Thorlak.
December 24: Saint Adèle
On December 24th, Saint Adèle and its variants Adèla, Adéla, Adeleine, Adélia, Adélie, Adelle, and Adeline are celebrated. The name Adèle is derived from the Germanic word adal, meaning “
Similar Posts
- August’s Saint Names Celebrate a Meaningful History – Discover Why!
- November’s Saint Names That Brighten Up the Dreary Days
- Celebrate October Saints’ Days: Key Dates You Can’t Miss!
- Must-See March Saint Names: Celebrations You Can’t Miss!
- Celebrate the New Year: All the Saint Names to Honor in January!
Felix Marlowe manages Belles and Gals’ vibrant social media platforms. With expertise in social engagement and viral marketing, Felix creates content that sparks conversation and keeps followers coming back for more. From celebrity news to trending challenges, Felix makes sure our social media stays at the forefront of pop culture.
