Nametag Day

Nametag Day is an annual American holiday dedicated to name badges. This day continues a series of celebrations dedicated to exploring the history of names and surnames established by one man, Jerry Hill. It is celebrated on the first Thursday of March.

History

The establishment of Nametag Day is aimed at facilitating contact between people. Thanks to small name tags, it’s no longer awkward to approach someone with the follow-up question, “What’s your name?” The name can be read immediately on the badge. This unusual holiday was created by the famous onomatologist Jerry Hill in 1997. He wanted people to communicate more with each other and give due attention to learning the origins of their first and last names.

The badges themselves appeared relatively recently, in the second half of the 19th century. Today, there are several varieties of badges: simple name badges and special ones (for example, a special pass to an organization or embedded with a special code that, when scanned, grants access). Badges are used in large companies so you can see the name of the employee and their role. Badge passes are common in the police, as well as in various laboratories and research centers.

Interesting Facts

• The first badges were fastened with a ring on a button.
• Employee badges in various laboratories and research centers are often used as passes that allow access to certain rooms or areas.
• Badges originally appeared in the American offices of large companies.

How to Celebrate

Wear your badge to work. If this practice isn’t common, Nametag Day is a great excuse to start. You can also use this holiday to learn the history of your name or surname.

Spread the word on social media. Ask other users if they use name badges at work.

When is Nametag Day in 2025?

Nametag Day is observed annually on the first Thursday in March.

Observations