Today’s Greek name day travels further than family. Every Ishmael, Ismail and Ismael you know shares in it, and so does every Felix, whether he is a cousin, a classmate or the co-worker down the hall whose name you have never thought of as part of a Greek custom.
Ishmael comes into Greek as Ἰσμαήλ through the Septuagint, from Biblical Hebrew Yishma’el, usually understood as “God hears” or “may God hear.” From Greek and Latin biblical tradition, the name moved into English as Ishmael, while Arabic and several other languages carry the closely related Ismail. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, a person’s name day is the feast day of the saint after whom they were named at baptism.
Felix has a different path. It is a Latin name meaning “happy,” “fortunate,” or “successful,” well established in Roman antiquity before becoming widespread in Christian Europe; the Greek forms Φίληξ and Φήλιξ reflect that later passage into Greek usage. In English, French and several other European languages, Felix stayed remarkably close to its original form, which is why it sounds both ancient and perfectly current in Montreal now.
There is a certain warmth to these names in daily life. An Ishmael who always answers the late text, the old friend who somehow picks up when needed, carries the name with quiet steadiness. A Felix at work often sounds like someone who brings good spirits into the room, whether that is your barber, your nephew or the regular customer who always leaves the counter smiling.
For Greek-Canadians, this is the nice part of the tradition: it opens outward. You can wish your theo Ishmael a happy name day, then send the same message to an Ismail from university or a Felix in the office and share a custom they may never have encountered before.
Chronia Polla! to everyone celebrating today, in Greek and non-Greek circles alike. If you know an Ishmael, Ismail, Ismael or Felix, today is a perfect day to text them and let a small piece of Greek tradition land in their life.
