Spyridon is a Byzantine Greek male name which comes directly from the Greek word σπυρίδιον (spyridion), meaning “basket.” Other sources suggest it is a hellenised form of the Latin Spiritus (spirit). It was popularized by a 4th-century Greek saint who played a key role in the Council of Nicaea. He is revered as the patron saint of Corfu and of potters.
His feast day is December 12.
Spiro & Spyros are its short forms, while Spyridoula is the femininine form.
Spiro was borne by the 39th vice president of the United States, Spiro Agnew (1918-1996).
It was borne by Spyridon Louis, the first modern Olympic Gold medalist in the 1896 Summer Olympics.
Forms and usage include:
- Spiridoni, Spiridhoni (Albanian)
- Asbiridun اسبيريدون (Arabic)
- Spiridon Спиридон (Assyrian, Bulgarian, Croatian, German, Lebanese-Arabic, Romanian, Serbian)
- Espiridió, Espiridó (Catalan)
- Spyridon Σπυρίδων (Coptic, French, Greek)
- Špiro (Croatian)
- Spi’ridon სპირიდონ (Georgian)
- Spiridione, Spiridone (Italian)
- Spirydon (Polish)
- Espiridão (Portuguese)
- Spiridón (Russian)
- Espiridón, Espiridión (Spanish)
- Spyrydon Спиридон (Ukrainian)
Italian feminine forms include: Spiridiona & Spiridona.
Sources