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Names of the Months
Our months were given to us by the Romans, and still bear Roman names with Latin origins.
January
January originally referred to the “Month of Janus.” Janus was a two-faced god, a god of beginnings and endings.
French: janvier.
Spanish: enero
Italian: gennaio
German: Januar
The Old English name for this time period was “Wulf-Monath,” the Month of Wolves, because this was the time of year wolves routinely attacked the villages.
February
This month refers to Februa. Februa was a Roman festival of purification.
French: février
Spanish: febrero
Italian: febbraio
German: Februar
The Old English name for this time period was “Sprote Kale Monath,” or the Month when Cabbages Sprout.
March
This month refers to Mars, the Roman god of war (armies often marched in the spring).
French: mars
Spanish: marzo
Italian: marzo
German: März
The Old English name for this time period was “Hyle Monath,” or the Noisy Month.
April
April is a mystery. The Roman name was Aprilis, and may come from the word “apero,” referring to second. At one time, April was the second month of the year.
April is often used as first name for girls.
French: avril
Spanish: abril
Italian: aprile
German: April
The Old English name for this time period was “Easter Monath,” the month of the festival of Eoster, the Old English goddess of the dawn.
May
May is named for the goddess Maia, the goddess of increase. This was as spring month, when crops were flourishing.
May is often used as first name for girls.
French: mai
Spanish: mayo
Italian: màggio
German: Mai
The Old English name for this time period was “Thri-Milce Monath” when cows gave so much milk, one had to milk them three times a day.
June
June was named for Junius, named for the famous Roman family of Junius. Another theory is that is named for Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage.
June is often used as first name for girls.
French: juin
Spanish: junio
Italian: giugno
German: Juni
The Old English name for this time period was “Sere Monath,” or, the Dry Month.
July
July was named after Julius Caesar, the first emperor of Rome, after his assassination in 66 B.C. Previously it was named Quintiis, for it was the considered the fifth month of the year.
French: juillet
Spanish: julio
Italian: lùglio
German: Juli
The Old English name for this time period was “Mœd Monath,” or, Meadow Month, when the meadows were in bloom.
August
August was named for Augustus Caesar, Julius Caesar’s nephew and heir. His name means Great Caesar (his original name was Octavius). It was originally named Sextilis, for it was the considered the sixth month of the year.
French: août
Spanish: agosto
Italian: agosto
German: August
The Old English name for this time period was “Weod Monath,” or, the month of weeds.
September
September was originally the seventh month, and was named after the Latin word “septem” (seven).
French: septembre
Spanish: septiembre
Italian: settèmbre
German: September
The Old English name for this time period was “Hœrfest Monath,” or, the month of harvest.
October
October was originally the eight month, and was named after the Latin word “octo” (eight).
French: octobre
Spanish: octubre
Italian: ottàgono
German: Oktober
The Old English name for this time period was “Win Monath,” or, the month of wine.
November
November was originally the ninth month, and was named after the Latin word “novem” (eight).
French: novembre
Spanish: noviembre
Italian: novèmbre
German: November
The Old English name for this time period was “Blod Monath,” or, the month of blood, when oxen were sacrificed to the gods.
December
December was originally the tenth month, and was named after the Latin word “decem” (eight).
December was originally the tenth month
French: décembre
Spanish: diciembre
Italian: dicèmbre
German: Dezember
The Old English name for this time period was originally “Geola Monath,” or, the month of Yule, when yule was a pagan festival. After Christianity came to Britain, it was called Haligh Monath, or Holy Month and Yule came to mean Christmas-time.
Copyright © 2004 Edgar’s Name Pages
A good portion of the information on this page comes from the children’s book The Tree of Language by Helene and Charles Laird (1957). This was the book that first got me interested in etymology and language history.