Does France have a "Today is your day!"? The story of baby names and "Saints' Days"

Bonjour!

Today, we bring you a story about baby names from Sophie's home country, France.

Before a baby is born,
"What kind of name should we choose?"
Many of you have probably thought about this countless times.

Because you like the sound of it.
Because you want your child to grow up to be a certain way.
Taking a character from a family member's name.
Named after the season of birth.

A "name" can be considered the first gift to a baby.

In France, there's an interesting cultural tradition related to names that is a little different from Japan.

Is there a "name day" separate from a birthday?

If you look at a French calendar, you might sometimes see a person's name written next to the date.

For example,

May 25th Sophie

Yes.
It's "Sophie" from Sophie the Giraffe.

This is what's known as a "name day" (fête), where names derived from Christian saints or other figures are linked to specific days.
It's a tradition that has long been cherished in France.

"Bonne fête, Sophie!"

If today were your name day,
You might hear someone say, "Bonne fête!"

It's like, "Happy name day to you!"

It's a small "congratulations" day, separate from a birthday.

Family and friends might greet you or send you a small message.

Having your name on the calendar must make a child feel a bit special, doesn't it?

Born on May 25th, that's why Sophie the Giraffe is named "Sophie"

Now, let's talk about Sophie the Giraffe.

Sophie the Giraffe was born in France on,
May 25, 1961.

That day was precisely "Sainte Sophie" (Saint Sophia) day.

So, this little giraffe was named,
Sophie la girafe

If she had been born on a different day...
Perhaps we might be calling her by a different name than "Sophie" right now.

Thinking about it that way, it's quite curious, isn't it?

How are baby names chosen in France?

Of course, in present-day France, parents are not obligated to choose a baby's name from a saint's name.

Over time, the way names are chosen has become much freer, and parents now choose baby names with various thoughts and feelings in mind.

Nevertheless, it's very French that many names passed down through generations are still in use today.

Names that were popular with grandparents' generations can also become popular again over time.

Names, too, have "trends," don't they?

Japan also has stories embedded in names.

In Japan, we consider the meaning of kanji characters and value the sound of names.
We sometimes include wishes like,
"I hope they live a life like this."

France and Japan.
Even though the naming conventions and cultures differ,

The time spent earnestly thinking about a name for the baby to be born

is surely the same.

Imagining the face of the baby they haven't met yet,
"Will this name suit them?"
"Will they like it when they grow up?"
Such thoughts might also be the family's first memories.

The first gift for a baby

A name is something that will be called again and again.

When they're crying.
When they laugh.
When they take their first steps.
On their way to kindergarten.
Even as adults.

It will walk alongside that child's life forever.

When you think about it that way, a name is truly a wonderful gift.

By the way, if you see Sophie in France on May 25th, be sure to say this:

"Bonne fête, Sophie!""Happy Name Day, Sophie!"

Sophie will surely,
"Squeak squeak!"
respond happily... she should.

Well then, I hope to share another story about babies sometime soon.

À bientôt!