Every Latvian is happy to celebrate the day of their name, as marked in the calendar. It rivals the scale of birthdays and is at least as popular. Each day in the Latvian calendar includes up to four names, and there is a date – May 22 – to celebrate the names not included in it. The tradition is somewhat related to the church calendar of the Saints, however is practically secular today. The State Language Agency updates the calendar every two years.
The bearers of the name receive flowers, congratulations and small presents. They celebrate with families at home and with colleagues at workplaces. Different from a birthday, it is customary that anyone can join a name-day party without an invitation.