Discover What Your Name Means Day

Discover What Your Name Means Day is an annual American holiday dedicated to learning about the history of your name and its meaning. It is observed every Wednesday in the first full week of March.

History

There are now thousands of first and last names in various countries. They all mean something, as in ancient times people were named for certain merits, specialties, or skills. Many names are related to religion. For example, the names Adam, Eve, or David are taken from the Bible.

Surnames are often derived from names, names of cities or natural objects, animals, or professions. Thanks to this information, you can find out the origin and meaning of your surname. For example, the surname Blair is of Gaelic origin. The word “blar” meant “field” or “meadow.” Probably, the ancestors of the person with this surname lived near the field or were directly engaged in agricultural activities.

The creation of Discover What Your Name Means Day was made possible by Jerry Hill. He established the holiday in 1997. Hill is seriously interested in onomatology—the study of the origin of words and terms, including names and surnames. He believes that everyone has the right to know who their ancestors were and what their names mean.

Interesting Facts

• There are about 2.5 million residents in the United States with the last name Smith, making it the most common.
• Archie is a popular American name. Meaning words for this name include: archer, brave, and bold.
• In the United States, there was one case where parents did not give their child a name because they could not agree. The child grew up but did not want to take any name.

How to Celebrate

On this day, learn more about the origin of your name through open sources on the Internet. Ask your parents and relatives what they know about your ancestors.

Spread the word on social media. Ask users if they know the meaning and history of their names.

When is Discover What Your Name Means Day in 2025?

Discover What Your Name Means Day is observed annually on the Wednesday in the first full week of March.

Observations