Wondering about wedding anniversary names by year? Each year of marriage has a traditional material or gemstone, from paper on the first anniversary to diamond on the 60th. This guide lists every name, its meaning, a gift idea for each milestone, and ways to celebrate with a vow renewal or romantic getaway in Cuba.
The short answer
- 1st: Paper
- 5th: Wood
- 10th: Tin or aluminum
- 25th: Silver
- 50th: Gold
- 60th: Diamond
Wedding Anniversary Names by Year: Full List and Meanings
Traditional anniversary names link a year of marriage to a symbolic material. The custom is most familiar in English-speaking countries, where couples often exchange a gift inspired by that material. The meanings are interpretations that grew up around the tradition, so treat them as inspiration, not rules.
| Year | Name | Meaning | Gift idea |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Paper | A blank page and a new story | Handwritten letter, photo book |
| 2nd | Cotton | Comfort and everyday closeness | Soft robes or bed linen |
| 3rd | Leather | Durability and resilience | Wallet, passport holder |
| 4th | Fruit or flowers | Growth and renewal | Bouquet, fruit basket |
| 5th | Wood | Strong roots and stability | Engraved wooden box |
| 6th | Iron | Strength and commitment | Wrought-iron lantern |
| 7th | Wool or copper | Warmth and security | Wool blanket, copper mugs |
| 8th | Bronze | Strength from blending elements | Small bronze sculpture |
| 9th | Pottery | Shaping something together | Couples pottery class |
| 10th | Tin or aluminum | Flexibility and durability | Weekend trip, diamond jewelry |
| 11th | Steel | Endurance | Steel watch or bottle |
| 12th | Silk or linen | Elegance and comfort | Silk scarf, linen set |
| 13th | Lace | Delicate care | Lace keepsake frame |
| 14th | Gold jewelry (traditionally ivory) | Value and appreciation | Gold necklace or cufflinks |
| 15th | Crystal | Clarity and trust | Crystal glasses |
| 16th | Silver hollowware | Shared table, shared life | Silver serving tray |
| 17th | Furniture | A home built together | Armchair or reading nook |
| 18th | Porcelain | Beauty and care | Porcelain tea set |
| 19th | Bronze | Lasting connection | Aquamarine jewelry |
| 20th | China | Refinement | Fine china dinner set |
| 25th | Silver | A valuable, enduring bond | Silver jewelry, vow renewal |
| 30th | Pearl | Beauty formed over time | Pearl necklace or earrings |
| 35th | Coral | Growth and connection | Coral-toned jewelry |
| 40th | Ruby | Passion that lasts | Ruby ring or pendant |
| 45th | Sapphire | Loyalty and trust | Sapphire jewelry |
| 50th | Gold | A lifetime of achievement | Family party, gold ring |
| 55th | Emerald | Renewal and lasting value | Emerald jewelry |
| 60th | Diamond | Strength and rarity | Memory book, diamond piece |
| 65th | Blue sapphire | Devotion | Sapphire keepsake |
| 70th | Platinum | Enduring strength | Platinum band |
| 75th | Diamond | A rare milestone | Family reunion |
Note: lists vary by country and publisher. Some years have alternative or modern materials (for example, pearls for the 12th or diamond jewelry for the 10th). For background on how the tradition developed, see this overview of wedding anniversaries.
Wedding Anniversary Names: Years 1 to 10
1st anniversary: Paper
Paper stands for a fresh start, like a blank page waiting for your story.
Idea: write each other a letter and open them together.
2nd anniversary: Cotton
Cotton is soft and flexible, like the comfort of sharing everyday life.
Idea: a slow, cozy day at home with matching robes.
3rd anniversary: Leather
Leather gets better with use. It reflects a bond that has been tested and strengthened.
Idea: a leather journal for future travel memories.
4th anniversary: Fruit or flowers
Both suggest a relationship that keeps growing and blossoming.
Idea: a picnic with fresh fruit and your favorite flowers.
5th anniversary: Wood
Wood represents deep roots and stability. Five years is often when a couple’s foundation feels solid.
Idea: an engraved wooden memory box for tickets and photos.
6th anniversary: Iron
Iron is strong and hard to break, a symbol of commitment through challenges.
Idea: cook a special dinner together, with iron-skillet cooking as the theme.
7th anniversary: Wool or copper
Wool brings warmth, while copper conducts heat and energy. Both point to a secure, connected home.
Idea: a cozy evening with a wool blanket and copper mugs.
8th anniversary: Bronze
Bronze is an alloy, made stronger by combining metals. It fits a partnership built on teamwork.
Idea: a small bronze sculpture for your home.
9th anniversary: Pottery
Pottery is shaped by patient hands, just as a marriage is shaped by shared effort.
Idea: take a pottery class and make something together.
10th anniversary: Tin or aluminum
Both metals are flexible yet durable. A decade is a milestone worth marking properly.
Idea: a getaway, or a vow renewal in a place that matters to you.
Wedding Anniversary Names: Years 11 to 20
11th anniversary: Steel
Steel stands for endurance and strength under pressure.
Idea: a steel watch engraved with your wedding date.
12th anniversary: Silk or linen
Silk and linen are elegant, breathable fabrics. They suggest ease and refinement.
Idea: a silk scarf or a linen bed set.
13th anniversary: Lace
Lace takes patience and fine detail, like the small gestures that keep love strong.
Idea: a romantic dinner with lace table décor.
14th anniversary: Gold jewelry
Traditionally linked to ivory, this year is now commonly marked with gold jewelry, a symbol of value and appreciation.
Idea: a gold pendant with a shared date or initials.
15th anniversary: Crystal
Crystal is clear and brilliant. It reflects honest communication and trust.
Idea: toast with crystal glasses at a special dinner.
16th anniversary: Silver hollowware
Silver serving pieces celebrate the shared table and the home you have made.
Idea: host a dinner with family or close friends.
17th anniversary: Furniture
Furniture stands for the home you keep building together.
Idea: choose a piece for a space you both enjoy.
18th anniversary: Porcelain
Porcelain is delicate yet strong, and it rewards careful attention.
Idea: a porcelain tea set for slow weekend mornings.
19th anniversary: Bronze
Bronze returns here as a sign of lasting connection. Many couples choose aquamarine instead.
Idea: aquamarine earrings or a seaside weekend.
20th anniversary: China
Fine china symbolizes refinement and a bond worth displaying proudly.
Idea: a family celebration, or a second honeymoon.
Wedding Anniversary Names: Years 25 to 75
From the 25th onward, anniversaries are marked by precious metals and gemstones. These are the milestones couples celebrate most often with family and friends.
25th anniversary: Silver
Silver stands for a valuable bond that has stood the test of time.
Idea: renew your vows and share a silver jubilee dinner.
30th anniversary: Pearl
A pearl forms slowly, layer by layer. It fits three decades of patient growth.
Idea: pearl earrings and a trip to a place from your first years together.
35th anniversary: Coral
Coral grows gradually into something living and lasting. Some lists use jade for this year.
Idea: a seaside getaway.
40th anniversary: Ruby
Ruby, the deep red gem, is linked to passion and enduring love.
Idea: a ruby pendant and a dinner in a special setting.
45th anniversary: Sapphire
Sapphire symbolizes loyalty and trust built over many years.
Idea: a sapphire keepsake and a relaxed trip together.
50th anniversary: Gold
The golden anniversary celebrates half a century of shared life, one of the most meaningful milestones.
Idea: a family gathering, a vow renewal, or a photo book of your journey.
55th anniversary: Emerald
Emerald stands for renewal and enduring value.
Idea: an emerald piece and a gathering with loved ones.
60th anniversary: Diamond
Diamond is among the hardest of gems. It reflects a rare, unbreakable bond built over six decades.
Idea: a family celebration and a memory book.
65th, 70th and 75th anniversaries
The 65th is commonly blue sapphire, the 70th platinum, and the 75th diamond. They are rare milestones that deserve a big celebration.
Celebrate Your Wedding Anniversary or Renew Your Vows in Cuba
An anniversary is a great reason to travel somewhere unforgettable. Cuba offers colonial elegance, white-sand beaches, live music and warm hospitality, all with the personal attention of a local wedding planner.
- In Havana: a romantic dinner or vow renewal in a historic setting such as the Hotel Nacional de Cuba. See our Havana wedding packages.
- On the beach: renew your vows with your toes in the sand with our Varadero wedding packages.
- A romantic getaway: browse our honeymoon destinations in Cuba for anniversary trip ideas.
Our team can organize the décor, music, photography and logistics for a symbolic ceremony. Want to add local flavor? Read about traditions in Cuban weddings.
Plan my anniversary in CubaFrequently Asked Questions About Wedding Anniversary Names
What are the wedding anniversary names by year?
Each year is linked to a material or gemstone, such as paper (1st), cotton (2nd), leather (3rd), wood (5th), silver (25th), gold (50th) and diamond (60th). The full list is in the table above.
What is the first wedding anniversary called?
The first anniversary is called the paper anniversary. It symbolizes a new beginning.
What is the 10th wedding anniversary called?
The 10th anniversary is traditionally the tin or aluminum anniversary. Many couples today also mark it with diamond jewelry.
What is the 25th wedding anniversary called?
The 25th anniversary is the silver anniversary, often called the silver jubilee.
What is the 50th wedding anniversary called?
The 50th anniversary is the golden anniversary. It celebrates half a century of marriage.
Are anniversary names the same in every country?
No. Traditions differ by country and publisher, and some years have several accepted materials. Choose the list that feels right for you.
Do we have to follow the traditional gifts?
Not at all. The materials are suggestions. A handwritten letter, a shared trip or a vow renewal can mean more than any traditional gift.
Can we renew our vows in Cuba?
Yes. A symbolic vow renewal is a popular way to celebrate a milestone anniversary in Cuba. Contact our wedding planners to design a ceremony for your date and budget.
Celebrate Every Chapter of Your Love Story
Now you know the wedding anniversary names by year and what each one stands for. Whether you choose a paper letter, a silver jubilee or a golden celebration, the best anniversary is the one that reflects your story. If you dream of marking it somewhere special, Cuba Wedding Packages can help you plan it.
