Just as a certain character in the television program “Cheers” was greeted with “Norm!” every time he walked into the room, a group of local residents will greet each other by name when they gather to observe an unusual tradition.

The local difference is that all of the guests will be greeted with the same name!

The “Jane Party,” as it has come to be known, will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Monday, Aug. 25, at the Southport home of Jane Scharff between 3 and 5 p.m.

The idea for the party originated with Jane Cheema, who noticed that the name seemed to be unusually prevalent in this area. The Southport resident asked her friend, the late Jane Conley, what she thought about having a party just for women named “Jane.”

Conley told her, “If you have the party, I’ll bring the flowers.”

The idea remained just a vision for a few years until Cheema discussed it with Jane McCormick, who also loved the idea. The two women teamed to create the first Jane Party in 2004.

“At first, I thought no one would come to a Jane Party,” McCormack said. “But Jane Cheema and I just started inviting people named Jane whether we knew them or not. People gave us strange looks because they didn’t know who we were, but people came to the party anyway.”

The idea of a party where everyone has the same name caught on over the intervening years, and the attendance has grown from seven Janes at the first party to an estimated guest list of between 20 and 30 for this year’s event. At last count there were more than 25 Janes in the immediate area. The party includes Janes of all ages (two Janes have grandchildren also named Jane), and it has become so popular that Janes from all walks of life and beyond the immediate area attend the party.

Host duties are shared, with different Janes offering their homes from year to year. This year Janie Holman-Griffin will co-host the party with Jane Scharff. Guests help by bringing a sweet or savory dish to the gathering.

If attendance is any indication, the concept of a “Jane Party” is a resounding success.

“The only challenge,” Jane McCormick added, “Is every time you say ‘Jane,’ everyone looks up.”