More than 347,000 Bulgarians celebrate name day on the Day of St. John the Baptist

More than 347,000 Bulgarians bearing the name Ivan celebrate name day today when the Orthodox Church marks the Feast of St. John the Baptist, known as Ivanovden. " Ivan is a title in Bulgaria, not a name," people say about the most revered name in this country meaning "Grace of God".

In almost every Bulgarian family there is someone named Ivan or Ivanka who celebrates on the Day of St. John the Baptist. The second most-common name is praised in the popular song “Ivane, Ivane” performed by Bogdana Karadocheva.