A day to be unique, Unique Names Day 2024

By: Shemiah Azarel Del Mundo

Photo By: Alona Myka Balbastro

Do u have a unique name? Do u have a second name? Or even a third name?

In many cultures around the world, birthdays aren't the only special occasion that deserves recognition. March 5, is the date marked for Unique Names Day on the holiday calendar. An annual celebration dedicated to those who have unique names and those people who are often asked “How do I pronounce your name?” Onomatology hobbyist Jerry Hill is behind the origin of this day in 1997. 

According to him “There was a time in history when names sounded almost the same. But as we started to settle down as farming groups around 12,000 years ago, the need to distinguish each person and assign them a role became more important. As a result, more sophisticated names started to appear. The Romans later started using the ‘tria nomina system,’ which translates to ‘the three names.’ They used three names in a single name. This system did not survive long but still shapes the European naming style.”