A colleague arrives with a cake, friends send flowers and several people with the same first name receive congratulations. In Latvia, the occasion may be a name day, known as vārda diena. It is a calendar date associated with a given name, so people who share that name can celebrate on the same day.
For international visitors, the custom is an easy detail to overlook. Once you know about it, the names printed beside dates in Latvian diaries and calendars start to make sense. The search below uses the same data snapshot as our Latvian name day tool in the Turkish article.
How the name day calendar works
Latvian name days follow lists associated with particular dates. Several names can share a date, and the traditional calendar is accompanied by an extended list containing many more names and spelling variants. The State Language Centre's Calendar Names Expert Commission oversees the calendar names system.
The tool searches both lists. Enter one name and keep its Latvian spelling where you know it. Accents are optional for searching, so Janis can find Jānis. A similar spelling does not necessarily mean that two names have the same assigned date; read the name displayed with the result.
The lists are updated over time. The version used here is a snapshot dated 18 October 2026, rather than a live connection to future revisions. The month-by-month calendar below uses the traditional entries from that same snapshot.
Where the tradition comes from
Name day customs in Europe developed from the Christian calendar of saints. People sharing a saint's name marked the associated feast day. In Latvia, the practice also developed a broadly social character, and celebrations today need not involve a religious observance.
The importance of the day varies between households. Some people organise a meal, others enjoy flowers or a few messages, and some barely mark it. It is best to ask your friend or colleague what they usually do instead of assuming that every Latvian celebrates in the same way.
Flowers, cake and a greeting
A small gift is usually enough when a gift is appropriate. Flowers, chocolates or something to share can suit the occasion. Choose with the person in mind; alcohol is optional and should never be treated as an expected present.
At work, the person celebrating may bring cake or snacks for colleagues. If you are new to the office, follow the local habit and ask about dietary needs before contributing food. A name day can be quite informal, with people stopping by for a brief greeting during the day.
Apsveicu vārda dienā! means “Congratulations on your name day!” A simple message in English is also perfectly understandable when you do not speak Latvian. Remembering the date matters more than attempting an elaborate speech.
What if your name is not listed?
International residents may find their name in the extended list, possibly in a Latvian form. Others will not find a match. That does not require them to adopt a different name or choose a date based solely on a search suggestion.
22 May is commonly used to celebrate names absent from the calendar. People may also follow a family or religious tradition. Ask the person which date they use if you want to congratulate them; a name day is a social custom rather than an obligation.
Līga, Jānis and midsummer
Two dates are particularly familiar: Līga on 23 June and Jānis on 24 June. They coincide with Latvia's midsummer holiday period, Līgo and Jāņi. Singing, wreaths, seasonal food and bonfires belong to the wider midsummer celebrations.
A person named Jānis may therefore share his name day with a major national holiday, while most names fall on an ordinary working day. If visiting around midsummer, check transport and opening hours separately from the calendar. Public holiday arrangements can change how a trip works even when you are attending a private celebration.
Traditional Latvian name day calendar
Open a month to see the traditional entries. Use the search above for the extended list and spelling variants.
January name days
1 January: Laimnesis, Solvita, Solvija
2 January: Indulis, Ivo, Iva, Ivis
3 January: Miervaldis, Miervalda, Ringolds
4 January: Spodra, Ilva, Ilvita
5 January: Sīmanis, Zintis
6 January: Spulga, Arnita
7 January: Rota, Zigmārs, Juliāns, Digmārs
8 January: Gatis, Ivanda
9 January: Kaspars, Aksels, Alta
10 January: Tatjana, Dorisa
11 January: Smaida, Franciska, Francisks
12 January: Reinis, Reina, Reinholds, Renāts
13 January: Harijs, Ārijs, Āris, Aira
14 January: Roberts, Roberta, Raitis, Raits
15 January: Fēlikss, Felicita
16 January: Lidija, Lida
17 January: Tenis, Dravis
18 January: Antons, Antis, Antonijs
19 January: Andulis, Alnis
20 January: Oļģerts, Orests, Aļģirds, Aļģis
21 January: Agnese, Agnija, Agne
22 January: Austris
23 January: Grieta, Strauta, Rebeka, Grēta
24 January: Krišs, Ksenija, Eglons, Egle
25 January: Zigurds, Sigurds, Sigvards
26 January: Ansis, Agnis, Agneta
27 January: Ilze, Ildze, Izolde
28 January: Kārlis, Spodris
29 January: Aivars, Valērijs, Bille
30 January: Tīna, Valentīna, Pārsla
31 January: Tekla, Violeta
February name days
1 February: Brigita, Indra, Indars, Indris
2 February: Spīdola, Sonora
3 February: Aīda, Ida, Vida
4 February: Daila, Veronika, Dominiks, Dominika
5 February: Agate, Selga, Silga, Sinilga
6 February: Dace, Dārta, Dora, Daris
7 February: Nelda, Rihards, Ričards, Rišards
8 February: Aldona, Česlavs
9 February: Simona, Apolonija
10 February: Paulīne, Paula, Jasmīna
11 February: Laima, Laimdota
12 February: Karlīna, Līna
13 February: Malda, Melita
14 February: Valentīns
15 February: Alvils, Olafs, Aloizs, Olavs
16 February: Jūlija, Džuljeta
17 February: Donats, Konstance
18 February: Kora, Kintija
19 February: Zane, Zuzanna
20 February: Vitauts, Smuidra, Smuidris
21 February: Eleonora, Ariadne
22 February: Ārija, Rigonda, Adrians, Adriāna, Adrija
23 February: Haralds, Almants
24 February: Diāna, Dina, Dins
25 February: Alma, Annemarija
26 February: Evelīna, Aurēlija, Mētra
27 February: Līvija, Līva, Andra
28 February: Skaidrīte, Justs, Skaidra
March name days
1 March: Ivars, Ilgvars
2 March: Lavīze, Luīze, Laila
3 March: Tālis, Tālavs, Marts
4 March: Alise, Auce, Enija
5 March: Austra, Aurora, Aurika
6 March: Vents, Centis, Gotfrīds
7 March: Ella, Elmīra
8 March: Dagmāra, Marga, Margita
9 March: Ēvalds
10 March: Silvija, Laimrota, Liliāna
11 March: Konstantīns, Agita
12 March: Aija, Aiva, Aivis
13 March: Ernests, Balvis
14 March: Matilde, Ulrika
15 March: Amilda, Amalda, Imalda
16 March: Guntis, Guntars, Guntris
17 March: Ģertrūde, Gerda, Gerhards
18 March: Ilona, Adelīna
19 March: Jāzeps, Juzefa
20 March: Made, Irbe
21 March: Una, Unigunde, Dzelme, Benedikts, Benedikta
22 March: Tamāra, Dziedra, Gabriels, Gabriela
23 March: Mirdza, Žanete, Žanna
24 March: Kazimirs, Izidors
25 March: Māra, Mārīte, Marita, Mare, Ģedimins
26 March: Eiženija, Ženija
27 March: Gustavs, Gusts, Tālrīts, Saulis
28 March: Gunta, Ginta, Gunda
29 March: Aldonis, Agija
30 March: Nanija, Ilgmārs
31 March: Gvido, Atvars
April name days
1 April: Dagnis, Dagne
2 April: Irmgarde
3 April: Daira, Dairis, Daiva, Daivis
4 April: Valda, Herta, Ārvalda, Ārvalds, Ārvaldis
5 April: Vija, Vidaga, Aivija
6 April: Zinta, Vīlips, Filips, Dzinta, Dzintis
7 April: Zina, Zinaīda, Helmuts
8 April: Edgars, Danute, Dana, Dans
9 April: Valērija, Žubīte, Alla
10 April: Anita, Anitra, Zīle, Annika
11 April: Hermanis, Vilmārs
12 April: Jūlijs, Ainis
13 April: Egils, Egīls, Nauris
14 April: Strauja, Gudrīte
15 April: Aelita, Gastons
16 April: Mintauts, Alfs, Bernadeta
17 April: Rūdolfs, Viviāna, Rūdis
18 April: Laura, Jadviga
19 April: Vēsma, Fanija
20 April: Mirta, Ziedīte, Meija
21 April: Marģers, Anastasija
22 April: Armands, Armanda
23 April: Jurģis, Juris, Georgs, Jurgita
24 April: Visvaldis, Nameda, Ritvaldis, Ritums
25 April: Līksma, Bārbala
26 April: Alīna, Sandris, Rūsiņš
27 April: Tāle, Raimonda, Raina, Klementīne
28 April: Gundega, Terēze
29 April: Vilnis, Raimonds, Laine
30 April: Lilija, Liāna
May name days
1 May: Ziedonis
2 May: Zigmunds, Sigmunds, Zigismunds
3 May: Gints, Uvis
4 May: Vizbulīte, Viola, Vijolīte
5 May: Ģirts, Ģederts
6 May: Gaidis, Didzis
7 May: Henriete, Henrijs, Jete, Enriko
8 May: Staņislavs, Staņislava, Stefānija
9 May: Klāvs, Einārs, Ervīns
10 May: Maija, Paija
11 May: Milda, Karmena, Manfreds
12 May: Valija, Ināra, Ina, Inārs
13 May: Irēna, Irīna, Ira, Iraīda
14 May: Krišjānis, Elfa, Aivita, Elvita
15 May: Sofija, Taiga, Airita, Arita
16 May: Edvīns, Edijs
17 May: Herberts, Dailis, Umberts
18 May: Inese, Inesis, Ēriks
19 May: Lita, Sibilla, Teika
20 May: Venta, Salvis, Selva
21 May: Ernestīne, Ingmārs, Akvelīna
22 May: Emīlija
23 May: Leontīne, Leokādija, Lonija, Ligija
24 May: Ilvija, Marlēna, Ziedone
25 May: Anšlavs, Junora
26 May: Edvards, Edvarts, Eduards, Varis
27 May: Dzidra, Gunita, Loreta, Dzidris
28 May: Vilis, Vilhelms
29 May: Maksis, Maksims, Raivis, Raivo
30 May: Vitolds, Lolita, Letīcija
31 May: Alīda, Jūsma
June name days
1 June: Biruta, Mairita, Bernedīne
2 June: Lība, Emma
3 June: Inta, Ineta, Intra
4 June: Elfrīda, Sintija, Sindija
5 June: Igors, Margots, Ingvars
6 June: Ingrīda, Ardis
7 June: Gaida, Arnis, Arno
8 June: Frīdis, Frīda, Mundra
9 June: Ligita, Gita
10 June: Malva, Anatols, Anatolijs
11 June: Ingus, Mairis, Vidvuds
12 June: Nora, Lenora, Ija
13 June: Zigfrīds, Ainārs, Uva
14 June: Tija, Saiva, Sentis, Santis, Saivis
15 June: Baņuta, Žermēna, Vilija, Vits
16 June: Justīne, Juta
17 June: Artūrs, Artis
18 June: Alberts, Madis
19 June: Viktors, Nils, Mīla
20 June: Rasma, Rasa, Maira
21 June: Emīls, Egita, Monvīds
22 June: Ludmila, Laimdots, Laimiņš
23 June: Līga
24 June: Jānis
25 June: Milija, Maiga
26 June: Ausma, Inguna, Ingūna, Inguns, Ausmis
27 June: Malvīne, Malvis
28 June: Viesturs, Kitija, Viestards, Vestards
29 June: Pēteris, Pāvils, Pauls, Paulis
30 June: Tālivaldis, Mareks
July name days
1 July: Imants, Rimants, Ingars, Intars
2 July: Lauma, Ilvars, Halina
3 July: Benita, Everita, Verita, Emerita
4 July: Ulvis, Uldis, Sandis, Sandijs
5 July: Andžs, Andžejs, Edīte, Esmeralda
6 July: Anrijs, Arkādijs
7 July: Alda, Maruta
8 July: Antra, Adele, Ada
9 July: Zaiga, Asne, Asna
10 July: Lija, Olīvija, Olivers, Odrija
11 July: Leonora, Svens
12 July: Indriķis, Ints, Namejs
13 July: Margrieta, Margarita
14 July: Oskars, Ritvars, Anvars
15 July: Egons, Egmonts, Egija, Henriks, Heinrihs
16 July: Hermīne, Estere, Liepa
17 July: Aleksis, Aleksejs, Alekss
18 July: Rozālija, Roze
19 July: Jautrīte, Kamila, Digna, Sāra
20 July: Ritma, Ramona
21 July: Meldra, Meldris, Melisa
22 July: Marija, Marika, Marina
23 July: Magda, Magone, Mērija, Magdalēna, Madlēna
24 July: Kristīne, Kristīna, Krista, Kristiāna, Kristiāns
25 July: Jēkabs, Žaklīna
26 July: Anna, Ance, Annija
27 July: Marta, Dita, Dite
28 July: Cecīlija, Cilda
29 July: Edmunds, Edžus, Vidmants
30 July: Valters, Renārs, Regnārs
31 July: Rūta, Ruta, Angelika, Sigita
August name days
1 August: Albīns, Albīna
2 August: Normunds, Stefans, Eliass
3 August: Augusts
4 August: Romāns, Romualds, Romualda
5 August: Osvalds, Arvils
6 August: Askolds, Aisma
7 August: Alfrēds, Madars, Fredis
8 August: Mudīte, Vladislavs, Vladislava
9 August: Madara, Genoveva, Genovefa
10 August: Brencis, Audris, Inuta, Audra
11 August: Olga, Zita, Liega, Zigita
12 August: Vizma, Klāra
13 August: Elvīra, Velga, Rēzija
14 August: Zelma, Zemgus, Virma
15 August: Zenta, Dzelde, Zelda
16 August: Astra, Astrīda
17 August: Vineta, Oļegs
18 August: Liene, Helēna, Elena, Ellena, Liena
19 August: Melānija, Imanta
20 August: Bernhards, Boriss, Rojs
21 August: Janīna, Linda
22 August: Rudīte, Everts
23 August: Vitālijs, Ralfs, Valgudis
24 August: Bērtulis, Boļeslavs
25 August: Ludvigs, Ludis, Ivonna, Patrīcija, Patriks
26 August: Natālija, Tālija, Broņislavs, Broņislava
27 August: Žanis, Jorens, Alens
28 August: Auguste, Guste
29 August: Armīns, Vismants, Aiga
30 August: Alvis, Jolanta, Samanta
31 August: Vilma, Aigars
September name days
1 September: Ilmārs, Iluta, Austrums
2 September: Elīza, Lizete, Zete
3 September: Berta, Bella
4 September: Dzintra, Dzintara, Dzintars
5 September: Klaudija, Persijs, Vaida
6 September: Maigonis, Magnuss, Mariuss
7 September: Regīna, Ermīns
8 September: Ilga
9 September: Bruno, Telma
10 September: Jausma, Albertīne
11 September: Signe, Signija
12 September: Erna, Evita, Eva
13 September: Iza, Izabella
14 September: Sanita, Santa, Sanda, Sanija, Sandija
15 September: Sandra, Gunvaldis, Gunvaris, Sondra
16 September: Asja, Asnate, Dāgs
17 September: Vera, Vaira, Vairis, Vaiva
18 September: Liesma, Elita, Alita
19 September: Verners, Muntis
20 September: Guntra, Ginters, Marianna
21 September: Modris, Matīss, Mariss
22 September: Māris, Mārica, Maigurs
23 September: Vanda, Veneranda, Venija, Vanesa
24 September: Agris, Agrita
25 September: Rodrigo, Rauls
26 September: Gundars, Kurts, Knuts
27 September: Ādolfs, Ilgonis
28 September: Sergejs, Svetlana, Lana
29 September: Miķelis, Mikus, Miks, Mihails, Jumis
30 September: Elma, Menarda, Elna
October name days
1 October: Zanda, Lāsma, Zandis
2 October: Ilma, Skaidris
3 October: Elza, Ilizana
4 October: Modra, Francis, Dmitrijs
5 October: Amālija, Amēlija
6 October: Monika, Zilgma, Zilga
7 October: Daumants, Druvvaldis
8 October: Aina, Anete
9 October: Elga, Helga, Elgars
10 October: Arvīds, Arvis, Druvis
11 October: Monta, Tince, Silva
12 October: Valfrīds, Kira
13 October: Irma, Mirga
14 October: Vilhelmīne, Minna
15 October: Eda, Hedviga, Helvijs
16 October: Daiga, Dinija, Dinārs
17 October: Gaits, Karīna, Gaitis
18 October: Rolands, Rolanda, Ronalds, Erlends, Lūkass
19 October: Elīna, Drosma, Drosmis
20 October: Leonīds, Leonīda
21 October: Urzula, Severīns
22 October: Īrisa, Irīda, Airisa
23 October: Daina, Dainis, Dainida
24 October: Renāte, Modrīte, Mudrīte
25 October: Beāte, Beatrise
26 October: Amanda, Kaiva, Amanta
27 October: Lilita, Irita, Ita
28 October: Ņina, Ninona, Antoņina, Oksana
29 October: Laimonis, Elvijs, Elva, Elvis, Laimis
30 October: Nadīna, Ulla, Adīna
31 October: Valts, Rinalds, Rinalda
November name days
1 November: Ikars
2 November: Vivita, Dzīle, Viva
3 November: Ērika, Dagnija
4 November: Atis, Otomārs, Oto
5 November: Šarlote, Lote
6 November: Linards, Leons, Leo, Leonards, Leonarda
7 November: Helma, Lotārs, Pērle
8 November: Aleksandra, Agra, Aleksa
9 November: Teodors
10 November: Mārtiņš, Mārcis, Markuss, Marks
11 November: Ojārs, Rainers, Nellija
12 November: Kaija, Kornēlija
13 November: Eižens, Jevgeņijs, Jevgeņija
14 November: Fricis, Vikentijs, Vincents
15 November: Leopolds, Undīne, Unda
16 November: Banga, Glorija
17 November: Hugo, Uga, Uģis
18 November: Aleksandrs, Doloresa, Brīve
19 November: Elizabete, Liza, Līze, Betija
20 November: Anda, Andīna, Vigo
21 November: Zeltīte, Andis
22 November: Aldis, Alfons, Aldris
23 November: Zigrīda, Zigfrīda, Zigrīds
24 November: Velta, Velda
25 November: Katrīna, Kate, Kadrija, Trīne, Katrīne
26 November: Konrāds, Sebastians
27 November: Lauris, Norberts
28 November: Rita, Vita, Olita
29 November: Ignats, Virgīnija
30 November: Andrievs, Andrejs, Andris
December name days
1 December: Arnolds, Emanuels
2 December: Meta, Sniedze
3 December: Evija, Raita, Jogita, Ako
4 December: Baiba, Barbara, Barba
5 December: Sabīne, Sarma, Klaudijs
6 December: Nikolajs, Niklāvs, Niks, Nikola
7 December: Antonija, Anta, Dzirkstīte
8 December: Gunārs, Vladimirs, Gunis
9 December: Tabita, Sarmīte
10 December: Guna, Judīte
11 December: Voldemārs, Valdemārs, Valdis
12 December: Otīlija, Iveta
13 December: Lūcija, Veldze
14 December: Auseklis, Gaisma
15 December: Johanna, Hanna, Jana
16 December: Alvīne
17 December: Hilda, Teiksma
18 December: Kristaps, Kristofers, Krists, Klinta, Kristers
19 December: Lelde, Sarmis
20 December: Arta, Minjona
21 December: Toms, Tomass, Saulcerīte
22 December: Saulvedis, Saule
23 December: Viktorija, Balva
24 December: Ādams, Ieva
25 December: Stella, Larisa
26 December: Dainuvīte, Gija, Megija
27 December: Elmārs, Inita, Helmārs
28 December: Inga, Ivita, Irvita, Ingeborga
29 December: Solveiga, Ilgona
30 December: Dāvids, Dāvis, Dāniels, Daniela, Daniels
31 December: Silvestrs, Silvis, Kalvis
Joining a celebration
If someone invites you to a name day gathering, ask what time to arrive and whether you can bring something. Older descriptions sometimes present name days as open-house occasions, but an unexpected visit is not welcome in every home. A short message or a personal greeting is a considerate starting point, especially when you are still getting to know someone.