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May brings a celebration of many saintly names, some of which are rarely heard today, but certainly deserve a moment in the spotlight. Look forward to names such as Prudence, Judith, Honoré, and Ferdinand being celebrated in the coming weeks.
May is a month where nature bursts into life, and it’s also a time to celebrate many names. Each day, the calendar honors one or more saints, bringing forgotten but charming names back into conversation. It’s a perfect occasion to celebrate the name of a loved one, a child, or to find inspiration for a name if expecting a new arrival. This month, for instance, we meet Estelle, a name that conveys delicacy and brightness, alongside other names with classic or unique sounds like Achille, Perrine, and Désiré. It’s a wonderful way to revive these historically rich names.
May 1: Saint Jeremiah
On May 1st, we celebrate Saint Jeremiah, along with its variants Jeremy, Jeremiah, and Gérémie. Originating from the Hebrew word yirmyahu, a combination of “yirme” meaning “to raise” and “yahvé” meaning “God”, Jeremiah translates to “Raised by God”. This name references Saint Jeremiah, a 6th-century BC biblical figure recognized as a prophet in both Christianity and Judaism. Saint Jeremiah authored the Book of Jeremiah, containing numerous prophecies, including those predicting the downfall of various foreign nations. Other names celebrated on May 1 include Jean-Louis, Andéol, Brieuc, Efisio, Efisia, Tamara.
May 2: Saint Boris
On May 2nd, Saint Boris is celebrated. The name Boris comes from the Slavic name Borislav, meaning “battle” and “glory”. It honors Saint Boris, a 9th-century King of Bulgaria who played a significant role in converting his people to Christianity. Other names celebrated on May 2 include Zoé, Zoélie, Athanase, Athanasie, Antonin, Antonino, Antonina, Antonine, Nino, Nina.
May 3: Saint Philip
On May 3rd, we honor Saint Philip, along with its derivatives Philip, Filipo, Felipe, Philippine. The name Philip derives from the Greek philippos, meaning “lover of horses”. It refers to Saint Philip, one of Jesus’s earliest apostles, who preached the Gospel in Greece and Asia Minor until his death. Other names celebrated on May 3 include Jacques, James, Jack, Giacomo, Jaime, Juvénal, Ahmed.
May 4: Saint Sylvain
On May 4th, Saint Sylvain is celebrated, and its variants Silvain, Silvaine, Sylvaine, Sylvio, Sylvanie, Silvana, Silvania. The name Sylvain originates from the ancient name Silvanus, derived from the Latin word “sylva”, meaning “forest”. This name commemorates Saint Sylvain, who lived in the 3rd century and was subjected to forced labor and brutal trials, including eye gouging and branding with hot iron, alongside forty other Christians. He was martyred by decapitation in 309 after being deemed “useless” by his captors due to his physical state. Other names celebrated on May 4 include Florian, Floriant, Floriana, Floriane, Florianne.
May 5: Saint Judith
On May 5th, we celebrate Saint Judith, and its variants Jodie, Jody, Judy, Jude. The name Judith comes from the ancient name Yehudit, related to the term yehudah meaning “woman of the tribe of Juda” or simply “Jewish”. It honors Saint Judith, a 13th-century German hermit who later became the patron saint of Prussia. Other names celebrated on May 5 include Ange, Angel, Angéli, Angelin, Angelino, Angelo, Lino.
May 6: Saint Prudence
On May 6th, we celebrate Saint Prudence, and its derivatives Prudy, Prudentia. The name Prudence is derived from the Latin prudens, meaning “wise”. It commemorates Saint Prudence, a nun who founded a convent in Como, Italy, and died in 1492. Other names celebrated on May 6 include Lucius, Eadbert, Marien.
May 7: Saint Gisèle
On May 7th, we celebrate Saint Gisèle, and its variants Gisel, Gisela, Gisella, Giselle, and Giseline. The name Gisèle is formed from the Germanic word gisil, meaning “hostage”. It refers to Saint Gisèle, the wife of King Stephen of Hungary in the 11th century, who retired to an abbey in Bavaria after her husband’s death. Other names celebrated on May 7 include Domitille, Flavia, Flavie, Marie-Louise, Marilou.
May 8: Saint Désiré
On May 8th, we celebrate Saint Désiré, and Désirée for a girl. The name was inspired by the Latin verb desiderare meaning “to desire”. It refers to Saint Désiré, the Bishop of Bourges who helped Gaul recover from chaos following the fall of the Roman Empire. Other names celebrated on May 8 include Ida, Ilda, Idaline, Ilona, Ilia.
May 9: Saint Pacôme
On May 9th, we celebrate Saint Pacôme. The name Pacôme originates from the Greek name Pakhoumios, which suggests density. It is associated with Saint Pacôme the Great, an Egyptian native who lived in the 4th century. After being forcibly enlisted in the Roman army, he embraced Christianity as soon as he regained his freedom. He then retreated to the desert to lead a hermitic life, where he welcomed many disciples and helped establish about ten monasteries. Other names celebrated on May 9 include Caroline, Karoline, Isaïe, Isaïah.
May 10: Saint Solange
On May 10th, we celebrate Saint Solange and her variant Solveig. The name Solange comes from the Latin name sollemnia, meaning “feast” or “ceremony”. It refers to Saint Solange, a virgin who was decapitated for refusing to marry the son of the Count of Poitiers. Other names celebrated on May 10 include Damien, Gordien, Job.
May 11: Saint Estelle
On May 11th, we celebrate Saint Estelle, and her variants Estel, Estella, Étoile, and Stella. Estelle comes from the Latin word stella meaning “star” and the Greek eustelle with “eu-” meaning “beautiful” and “-stello” corresponding to the verb “to adorn”. It commemorates Saint Estelle of Saintes who was martyred in the 3rd century. Saint Estelle discovered the Christian faith despite descending from a family of druids. Her father, a Roman governor of the region of Saintes, had her put to death in the arenas. Other names celebrated on May 11 include Gengoux, Maïssa, Mamert, Mayeul.
May 12: Saint Achilles
On May 12th, we celebrate Saint Achilles. The name Achilles comes from the Greek akhilleus meaning “he who has beautiful lips”. It refers to the Ancient hero Achiléos, a demigod son of Thetis and Peleus, known for his warrior skills and handsome appearance. It commemorates Saint Achilles, a bishop of Larissa in the 4th century. Other names celebrated on May 12 include Epiphane, Thyfène, Tiffanie, Tiffany, Tiphaine, Tiphania, Tiphanie, Tyffene, Typhaine, Pancrace.
May 13: Saint Fatima
On April 13th, we celebrate Saint Fatima. In Arabic, the term fatima can be interpreted as “child who has just been weaned”. It refers to Saint Fatima. Under this name, the Virgin Mary appeared to three children in the village of Fatima, Portugal in 1913. Other names celebrated on May 13 include Rolande, Orlanda, Servais.
May 14: Saint Matthias
On May 14th, we celebrate Saint Matthias or Mathias. The name Matthias comes from Hebrew and means “gift of God”. It refers to Saint Matthias, the apostle who replaced Judas after the Ascension. Other names celebrated on May 14 include Aglaé, Aglaée, Djamila, Jamila, Pons.
May 15: Saint Denise
On May 15th, we celebrate Saint Denise, and her variants Denyse and Dionysia. The name Denise is related to Dionysos, the Greek god of wine and ecstasy. It commemorates Saint Denise, a young Christian martyr who was put to death in 251. Other names celebrated on May 15 include Privel, Primaël, Primel, Primela.
May 16: Saint Honoré
On May 16th, we celebrate Saint Honoré. The name Honoré is derived from the Latin name Honoratus, formed from the term honorare meaning “to honor”. It refers to Saint Honoré, a bishop of Amiens in the 6th century. Other names celebrated on May 16 include Brenda, Brandon, Brendan.
May 17: Saint Pascal
On May 17th, we celebrate Saint Pascal, and its variants Pascale, Pascalin, Pascaline. The name Pascal originates from the Hebrew “pessakh”, meaning “passage”, and from the Latin “pasqualis”, referring to the Easter festival. It evokes Saint Pascal, a Spanish Franciscan known for his kindness and gentleness. As a lay brother among the Franciscans, he served as a gatekeeper, but his wisdom far exceeded his duties. Even preachers sought his advice, recognizing in him a theology of the heart rather than that of an intellectual. His life was wholly devoted to the Church, and Pope Leo XIII designated him patron of congresses and eucharistic works. Other names celebrated on May 17 include Restitute.
May 18: Saint Eric
On May 18th, we celebrate Saint Eric and his variants Erik, Erico, Enrique, Erika. The name Eric comes from the Scandinavian name Eirikr, derived from the word rikr meaning “ruler”. It refers to Saint Eric, the evangelizer and patron saint of Sweden. He was proclaimed king of Sweden in 1156 and dedicated his reign to the evangelization of the Swedish people and neighboring tribes. He is said to have led a crusade against the pagan Finns. Other names celebrated on May 18 include Amire, Amir, Amira, Cora, Coraline, Coralie.
May 19: Saint Yves
On May 19th, we celebrate Saint Yves, and its variants Yveline, Yvelise, and Yvelyne, Erwann, Evan, Even, Irving, Ivi, Ivon, Yvonne. The name Yves is of Germanic origin, composed of the element -iv representing the yew tree. It refers to Saint Yves, a 13th-century Breton priest and judge known for the significant help he provided to the poor. He is the patron saint of lawyers, solicitors, lawmen, and notaries. Other names celebrated on May 19 include Crispin, Dunstan, Duncan, Tristan, Théophile.
May 20: Saint Bernardin
On May 20th, we celebrate Saint Bernardin, or Bernardine for a girl. The name Bernadin is of Germanic origin and means “strong bear”. It refers to Saint Bernardin of Siena, a 15th-century Franciscan friar and preacher who showed great devotion during a plague epidemic.
May 21: Saint Constantin
On May 21st, we celebrate Saint Constantin, and its variants Constantino, Konstantin, Costel, Constantina, and Constantine, Tina. The ancient name Constantius, which gave rise to the name Constantin, is derived from the Latin term constantis meaning “steadfast”. It refers to Saint Constantin, a Roman emperor of the 4th century who ended persecution and fostered the growth of the Christian Church. Other names celebrated on May 21 include Second, Secondin.
May 22: Saint Emile
On May 22nd, we celebrate Saint Emile, and its variants Emilio, Milan, Milo, Emiliano, Emilie, Amélie, Emmie, Emmy. The name Emile is often related to the Latin term aemulus meaning “rival”. The ancient name Aemilius can also be linked to Aimulios, which is interpreted as “alluring”. It refers to Saint Emile, a martyr in Carthage in the mid-3rd century. Other names celebrated on May 22 include Quitterie, Quiterie, Rita, Rite.
May 23: Saint Didier
On May 23rd, we celebrate Saint Didier and its variants Desiderio, Didia, Didiane, and Desideria. The name Didier is related to the Latin word desiderium meaning “desire”, or desideratus meaning “desired”, “expected”. It refers to Saint Didier, a Bishop of Vienne in the early 7th century. A disciple of Saint Syagre, he was assassinated in 612 by brigands. Other names celebrated on May 23 include Guibert.
May 24: Saint Donatien
On May 24th, we celebrate Saint Donatien. The name Donatien comes from the Latin term donatus meaning “given”. It refers to Saint Donatien, a martyr executed in Nantes in the 3rd century because he refused to renounce his new faith. Other names celebrated on May 24 include Rogatien, Maël, Maëlle, Maëlys.
May 25: Saint Sophie
On May 25th, we celebrate Saint Sophie and her variants Sofia, Sonia, Sophia, Zofia, Sofiane, Sophien. The name Sophie is derived from the common noun sophia which means “wisdom” in Greek. It refers to Saint Madeleine-Sophie Barat, the founder of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart educators in the 19th century. In 1925, she was canonized by Pope Pius XI. Other names celebrated on May 25 include Nadège, Nada, Nadia, Nadiège, Nadine, Bède, Beddy.
May 26: Saint Béranger
On May 26th, we celebrate Saint Béranger, and his variant Bérangère. Béranger is a name of Germanic origin composed of the terms “ber” meaning “bear” and “gari” meaning “spear”. It refers to Saint Béranger, a Benedictine from L’Aude, honored for the few miracles performed during his life at the Abbey of Saint-Papoul. Other names celebrated on May 26 include Leuthère, Godon, and Gond.
May 27: Saint Augustine
On May 27th, we celebrate Saint Augustine, Augustine, Austin. The name Augustine comes from the ancient name Augustinus, itself inspired by the Latin term augustus meaning “venerable”. It refers to Saint Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo in the 4th century. He is also recognized as one of the greatest Christian theologians. Other names celebrated on May 27 include Brunon.
May 28: Saint Germain
On May 28th, we celebrate Saint Germain, or Germaine for a girl. The ancient form Germanus of the name Germain served to designate in Latin those from Germania, “the neighboring people”. It refers to Saint Germain, the Bishop of Paris and founder of the Abbey of Sainte-Croix-Saint-Vincent, which would later become Saint-Germain des Prés. Other names celebrated on May 28 include Guillaume, Guilhem.
May 29: Saint Ursula
On May 29th, we celebrate Saint Ursula, or Ursilla and Ursula for a girl. The name Ursula is
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