Get a Different Name Day

Get a Different Name Day is observed annually on February 13, offering a 24-hour window for individuals to temporarily shed their birth names and experiment with a new identity. This whimsical holiday serves as a lighthearted prelude to Valentine’s Day, providing a playful escape for those who have always felt their given name didn’t quite match their personality, or for anyone simply looking to step into a new persona for a day.

History of Get a Different Name Day

The holiday was created by Tom and Ruth Roy, the founders of Wellcat Holidays, who are well-known for establishing dozens of quirky and imaginative observances. The Roys created this day out of “pity for the millions of us who hate our birth names.” They argued that since we didn’t choose our names—our parents did—we should have at least one day a year where we have the “right to expect colleagues, family, and friends” to address us by whatever name we wish.

While it is a secular and modern “fun holiday,” the concept of changing one’s name has deep historical and cultural roots. In various ancient traditions, taking a new name often marked a major life milestone, a spiritual covenant, or a radical shift in destiny. In many European and Orthodox cultures, “Name Days” (distinct from birthdays) are still celebrated to honor the saint a person is named after. Get a Different Name Day flips this tradition on its head by celebrating the freedom of personal choice over heritage.

Why is Get a Different Name Day important?

This day is significant because it highlights the profound connection between names and identity. A name is often the first piece of information shared with the world, and if it feels “wrong,” it can create a subtle sense of misalignment. By providing a low-stakes environment to test a different name, the holiday allows people to explore different facets of their character, embrace creativity, and temporarily shed the expectations associated with their everyday selves.

The observance also fosters empathy and social bonding through shared playfulness. It encourages people to step out of their comfort zones and engage with friends and coworkers in a humorous, unconventional way. For some, it might even serve as a gentle starting point for a more serious conversation about a legal name change or a gender-affirming identity. Ultimately, it reminds us that while names are important markers, they are labels that can be redefined.

• Encourages Creativity
  It’s a chance to adopt a name that reflects your humor or interests.
• Identity Exploration
  Helps people visualize how they might feel with a different “persona.”
• Humor & Play
  The holiday lightens the social atmosphere at work or school.
• Cultural Connection
  It prompts discussions about why our parents chose our names in the first place.
• Stress Relief
  Stepping into an “alter ego” can provide a brief, fun escape from daily pressures.

How to Celebrate Get a Different Name Day

The most common way to celebrate is to select a new name and introduce yourself with it to everyone you meet. This name could be inspired by a favorite fictional character, a family ancestor, or something completely eccentric. To fully “get into character,” some people dress the part or create a playful backstory for their temporary alter ego. Many participants wear custom name tags or change their display names on social media and messaging apps for the day.

If you are celebrating with friends or family, you can host a “Renaming Party” where everyone reveals their new moniker and explains the reasoning behind it. For a more reflective observance, you can spend time researching names you’ve always liked or look up the meaning of your own name to see if it truly fits you. The goal is to have fun with the concept of reinvention—after all, it only lasts 24 hours!

• Adopt an Alter Ego
  Choose a name that tickles your fancy and stick to it all day.
• Wear a Name Tag
  Make it official by wearing a sticker that says “Hello, my name is [New Name].”
• Social Media Swap
  Change your profile handle or display name for the duration of the holiday.
• Storytelling
  Craft a short, fictional “life story” for your new persona to share with friends.
• Treat Your “New Self”
  Go to a coffee shop and give your new name for the order just to hear it called out.

Get a Different Name Day Dates Table