Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

249 Shares
249 Shares
WedMar 6

Learn What Your Name Means Day – March 6, 2024

Learn What Your Name Means Day is celebrated annually on the Wednesday in the first full week of March, and takes place on March 6 this year. It is part of Celebrate Your Name Week. The day encourages us to dig deeper into the origins of our name and figure out the meaning behind it. Our names are an integral part of our identity, yet it is the one thing we do not get to choose. As a part of the campaign launched by American onomatology and hobbyist Jerry Hill in 1997, an entire week was dedicated to exploring the beauty of our names, and their deep history.

History of Learn What Your Name Means Day

Every name, even the most common ones, has a meaning. For example, did you know that the name Jessica is of Hebrew origin and that it translates to “God Beholds?” And we bet you didn’t know that the name was created by William Shakespeare. Well, now you do. Names are of deep significance in every culture in the world. The naming ceremonies are a part of elite traditions in many cultures of the world. In Hinduism, Namakaran is the official naming ceremony of an infant. Your name is a significant part of your identity. But most of us never try to evaluate the meaning behind it. Jerry Hill wants people to learn what their name means. By understanding the meaning behind it, we can get better at conveying its significance to the world.

While surnames are passed down to generations and hold immense historical context and relevance, our first names are chosen by our parents. Our surnames are a window into the lives that our ancestors led, while our first names are a gateway to our own personalities. Our names hold a lot of power, and with current information, we can decide the course of our lives through it. With a little bit of research, we can discover the meaning behind our names.

A name goes far beyond being just an identity tag of your personhood. Many researchers have concluded that a name has possible links to a person’s professional choices, personality, and academic inclination. Learn What Your Name Means Day is a perfect way to uncover a deeper-lying secret of your identity.

Learn What Your Name Means Day timeline

1066
The Norman Conquest

Anglo-Saxons replace the old English names with names of the Norman-French invaders.

1565
The Church’s Followership

Reformed Church Leader Thomas Cartwright advises his followers to take names from Holy Scriptures.

1803
A Controversial Prohibition

The Catholic clergy passes laws prohibiting parents from giving their kids controversial names.

1997
The Final Declaration

American onomatologists declare the first full week of March as Celebrate Your Name Day, and Wednesday as Learn What Your Name Means Day.

Learn What Your Name Means Day FAQs

Is it important to have a name with deep meaning?

No! You can have any name you want, and it can mean whatever you want it to. All that matters is that you learn what your name means.

What is the most common name in America?

Liam, Noah, and Ava are the most common names in America.

How can I find the meaning behind my name?

There are many sites dedicated to exploring the meaning and hidden history behind names. You can also call up your parents and get an explanation from them.

Learn What Your Name Means Day Activities

  1. Explore the meaning behind your name

    Hop onto Google or a call with your parents and learn the meaning of your name. Dig a little deeper and evaluate the reason why your parents or family gave you the name. Once you’ve figured out the true meaning, try living up to the vibe that your name exhibits.

  2. Throw a ‘name recognition’ party

    Learning the meaning behind your name is a cause for celebration. Mark a new chapter in your life as you try to emulate the values of your name. Just as Sigmund Freud said, “A human being's name is a principal component of his person, perhaps a piece of his soul.”

  3. Share the meaning on social media

    You are allowed to be a little smug once you are in full possession of the meaning of your name. Now it’s time to spill the tea on your social media channels. Prepare the perfect post with a photo that speaks to the meaning of your name and then post it with the hashtag #LearnWhatYourNameMeansDay.

5 Fascinating Facts About How Names Influence Our Lives

  1. It’s more than a name

    According to a German study, people with unpleasing names confessed to having low self-esteem.

  2. Suffering from stereotypes

    Parents chose the large-sounding vowels ‘a’ and ‘o’ for boys and small-sounding vowels ‘i’ and ‘e’ for girls.

  3. Name decides game

    A survey of 63,000 kids concluded that the names ‘Amy’ and ‘Jacob’ belong to the nicest kids.

  4. Don’t bend the gender

    A study found that boys with feminine names are more likely to have behavioral issues in middle school.

  5. Women: go unisex

    Women with gender-neutral or unisex names are found to be more outgoing and assertive.

Why We Love Learn What Your Name Means Day

  1. It’s a step closer to our true self

    Our names are an essential part of our identity. With Learn What Your Name Means Day, we have a chance to explore our true identity. This exercise brings out our true selves and urges us to become a worthy host of our names.

  2. It gives us closure

    A majority of people die with the names they were given to them by their parents. In a world of intense personalization, where even our coffee orders are decided by our moods, it is strange that we go on with the names handed down to us. By learning what our names mean, we get the encouragement to make peace with it.

  3. It helps us in making decisions

    The meaning of our names can serve as a roadmap for making further decisions in life. Although it does not get a final say, it can definitely sway you to make choices that represent the essence of your name.

Learn What Your Name Means Day dates

YearDateDay
2022March 9Wednesday
2023March 8Wednesday
2024March 6Wednesday
2025March 5Wednesday
2026March 4Wednesday

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.