Today’s name day will not send you searching your contacts for a dozen familiar English equivalents, but it still carries the kind of Greek tradition that makes a good conversation starter. If you know an Efplous, Efplos or Efploos, you have one of those rarer names that immediately opens a door to story, language and heritage in a very Canadian everyday setting.
The name Εύπλους comes from ancient Greek: eu means “good” or “well,” and plous means “voyage” or “sailing,” from the verb plein, “to sail.” In classical usage, euplous described a good passage at sea, a favourable voyage, or safe navigation. It is one of those old Greek word-names whose meaning remains transparent even now, carrying the image of smooth travel and a fortunate crossing.
In the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition, a person’s name day is the feast day of the saint after whom they were named at baptism.
That sense of a good voyage still feels alive in the name. It suits the uncle who always seems calm behind the wheel on a long drive, the cousin setting out for university with more confidence than fuss, or the across-the-street neighbour who has a way of helping everyone arrive where they need to go. Even when the name is uncommon, its sound and shape make it memorable, and that often makes the wish feel more personal.
So if there is an Efplous, Efplos or Efploos in your family, your phone, or your wider circle, today is a lovely day to reach out. Chronia Polla! And if the person receiving the message has to explain their name afterward, all the better: that is exactly how a small Greek custom travels outward, one conversation at a time.
