What Does “S Imeninami” Mean, and How Do You Celebrate?

“S imeninami” is a Russian greeting meaning “Happy name day.” A name day traditionally honours the saint associated with a person's name, so it is different from a birthday. Use this greeting when you know the recipient celebrates the occasion and have checked the date.

If you are sending wishes from abroad, you do not need an elaborate message or a large gift to mark the day thoughtfully. A personal note and flowers chosen for the recipient's taste can be enough. The useful first step is to establish what the occasion means to them: for some people it is a religious observance, while others acknowledge it quietly or do not celebrate it at all.

Understand the Greeting Before You Use It

The spelling “s imeninami” represents Russian words written in Latin letters. You may see different transliterations, but the intended greeting is the same. In an English card, “Happy name day” is the clearest equivalent; you can also keep the transliterated phrase if it is familiar to both of you. There is no need to make the whole message Russian for the greeting to feel personal.

A birthday marks someone's date of birth; a name day belongs to a naming and religious tradition. The two dates can be months apart. You may encounter loose usage in informal conversation, but that is not a reliable guide for a card. If you are celebrating a birthday, write “Happy birthday” rather than choosing “S imeninami” simply because it sounds more traditional.

Avoid assuming that everyone with a Russian name observes a name day. Family customs, personal beliefs and familiarity with the tradition vary. If the recipient has mentioned their name day before, follow their lead. Otherwise, a discreet question to them or a relative is more useful than building a surprise around a date found in an online list.

Check the Date and Choose a Comfortable Time

Looking up a first name may produce several possible dates because more than one saint can share that name. Different church calendars can also affect what you find. For a religious observance, the recipient's own practice is the best guide. Ask which date they celebrate rather than selecting the first result or assuming the nearest date to their birthday must be correct.

Think about how flowers will fit into the recipient's day. A delivery during a meeting, a journey or a service can create an awkward interruption. If you know they will be at home in the afternoon, choose a suitable window. When ordering from another country, check the time difference yourself and make sure the requested arrival time refers to the destination city.

With Turboflora, you can pre-order delivery 1–30 days ahead, request an exact time with a tolerance of plus or minus 30 minutes, or choose a window: 09–12, 12–15, 15–18 or 18–21. Express delivery in large cities takes 1–2 hours after the order is confirmed. Allow for confirmation when deciding whether an order can suit your plans.

Bouquets we can deliver

Bouquet of 1 yellow sunflowers

$13

Bouquet of 3 white French roses with eucalyptus, 50 cm

$18

Bouquet of 3 red French roses with eucalyptus, 50 cm

$18

Bouquet of 3 pink roses with eucalyptus, 50 cm

$18

Choose Flowers for the Person and the Setting

Start with what you know about the recipient: favourite colours, preferred flowers and whether they enjoy a compact arrangement or a fuller bouquet. A name day does not require a particular species or colour. Browse the bouquets catalogue with the person in mind, and treat flower symbolism as a secondary consideration rather than a set of rules you must satisfy.

For a relative or friend whose preferences you do not know well, a balanced mix of colours can be easier to choose than a strongly romantic design. Red roses often suggest romantic affection, but the relationship and the accompanying card shape that meaning. Softer colours are an option for a restrained gesture; brighter colours suit someone who enjoys a more lively display.

In Russian gifting etiquette, an odd number is customary when giving a small, countable number of stems; even numbers are traditionally associated with mourning. This matters most when the individual stems are obvious. Also consider fragrance and space: a strongly scented or very large bouquet may be inconvenient on a shared desk or in a small room.

Write a Name Day Card That Sounds Like You

Keep the greeting, the wish and the signature clear. For example: “S imeninami, Anna! Wishing you a peaceful, happy day and many good moments in the year ahead. With love, Kate.” This acknowledges the occasion without making assumptions about religious belief. If you normally speak English together, an entirely English message will be just as understandable.

For someone who observes the day religiously, you can acknowledge that meaning if it fits your relationship: “Happy name day, Michael. Wishing you peace, strength and a meaningful day with those you love.” Avoid adding prayers or religious language solely to make the note sound traditional. A sincere wish in your usual voice is more appropriate than unfamiliar ceremonial wording.

Sign your name if you want the recipient to know who sent the flowers. Turboflora delivery is anonymous by default: the courier does not name the sender. A card with your text is free, so it is the straightforward place to identify yourself. Read the message once more before submitting it, especially the recipient's name and any transliterated words.

Arrange Flower Delivery to Russia from Abroad

Turboflora delivers flowers across Russia. City delivery costs 500 RUB; for remote districts and suburbs, the operator confirms the delivery price when confirming the order. Have the destination city, full address and recipient's contact details ready, along with your preferred date and time. Clear address information helps you agree the delivery details without unnecessary exchanges.

For help choosing a bouquet or agreeing the time, address and card text, contact a manager on WhatsApp. You can also ask for a photo of the bouquet before delivery. If you are unsure about a detail, describe it directly: for example, that the recipient works shifts or that you need help choosing a bouquet for a restrained family celebration.

Online checkout uses CloudPayments. Check the payment options displayed at checkout rather than assuming that a particular foreign-issued card will be accepted. You can consult delivery and payment information while preparing the order. Confirm the destination details and timing carefully, particularly if you are arranging the gift in a language or time zone different from your own.

The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival, so take that call into account when planning a surprise. If the recipient is absent, we agree a second delivery the same day or, with the sender's consent, hand the flowers to a neighbour or concierge. Choose a time when the recipient is likely to be reachable, and make any handover preference clear.

Help the Flowers Settle In After Arrival

Once the bouquet arrives, prompt care helps the flowers take up water. Use a clean vase, remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline, and trim the stem ends with a clean, sharp tool before placing them in water. Keep any binding that supports the bouquet's shape unless it prevents you from arranging the stems comfortably in the vase.

Place the vase away from direct sunlight, radiators and ripening fruit. Check the water level daily and refresh the water regularly, cleaning the vase if it becomes cloudy. If flower food is supplied, follow its instructions rather than guessing the dose. Avoid adding improvised household mixtures: plain, clean water is a more sensible choice when you have no suitable flower food.

Different flowers age at different rates, so remove fading stems and any leaves that fall into the water. If the gift is arranged in floral foam, keep the foam moist by adding water carefully to its container instead of pulling out the stems to recut them. You can pass these simple steps on after delivery, leaving the card itself focused on the name day wishes.