Names Of The Months - The Etymology of Calendar Months

What are the 12 Names Of the Months in Order?

The months of the year, listed sequentially, are: 1.January, 2.February, 3.March, 4.April, 5.May, 6.June, 7.July, 8.August, 9.September, 10.October, 11.November, and 12.December.

Names Of The Months - Origins of the Months & Names

All the months’ names in English have Latin roots. In our daily lives, we follow the modern Gregorian calendar. Pope Gregory XIII introduced this calendar in October 1582. He has modified and replaced the Julian calendar. Let us explore the origin of the names of the months.

• January

The name "January" is derived from the Latin word "ianuarius," which is named after the Roman god Janus. Janus was the god of beginnings, transitions, and endings, often depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions, symbolizing the past and the future. January is the first month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, and it marks the beginning of a new year, making it a symbol of fresh starts and new beginnings for many cultures.  

• February

The name "February" is derived from the Latin term "februum," which means purification. This may be in reference to the purification rituals conducted during this time of year in ancient Rome. February is the second month of the year in the Gregorian calendar and is often associated with love due to the celebration of Valentine's Day on February 14th. It is a month that marks the end of winter and the beginning of early signs of spring in many parts of the world.  

• March

The name "March" comes from the Roman god of war, Mars, who was also an agricultural guardian. March was originally the first month in the early Roman calendar and is associated with the beginning of spring and the renewal of nature. In many cultures, March is a time for celebrating new beginnings, growth, and the end of winter.

• April

 The origin of the name "April" is uncertain, though it may be derived from the Latin word "aperire," meaning to open or blossom, signifying the arrival of spring and the blooming of flowers. April is often associated with renewal, growth, and the arrival of warmer weather, marking a time of rejuvenation and natural beauty.  

• May

The name "May" is derived from the Greek and Roman goddess Maia, who was associated with fertility and growth. May is often considered a month of rebirth, fertility, and the abundance of nature. It is a time when the natural world is in full bloom, and it is often associated with vitality and growth.  

• June

The name "June" is thought to be derived from the Latin word "iuniores," meaning "young ones," possibly due to the month's association with youth and vitality. June is often considered the month of weddings and is associated with warmth, vitality, and the peak of the growing season. It is a time when the days are longest in the Northern Hemisphere, and it symbolizes the height of summer and abundance.  

• July

The month of July was originally known as Quintilis, meaning the fifth month in Latin, as it was the fifth month in the Roman calendar. It was later renamed in honor of Julius Caesar. July marks the middle of the year and is associated with the height of summer, warmth, and the celebration of national independence days in various countries. It is a time for outdoor festivities, vacations, and enjoying the long, sunny days.  

• August

August was originally known as Sextilis, meaning the sixth month in Latin, as it was the sixth month in the Roman calendar. It was later renamed in honor of Emperor Augustus. August is a month associated with harvest, abundance, and the end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time of reaping the rewards of hard work, enjoying the remaining warmth of summer, and preparing for the transition to autumn.  

• September

The name "September" is derived from the Latin word "septem," meaning seven, as it was the seventh month in the Roman calendar. It has associations with the onset of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, the beginning of the school year in many countries, and various cultural festivals. September is a time of transition, cooler weather, and the changing colors of nature as summer gives way to fall. 

• October

The name "October" is derived from the Latin word "octo," meaning eight, as it was the eighth month in the Roman calendar before January and February were added. October is associated with the beauty of autumn foliage, harvest festivals, and Halloween celebrations. It is a time when the natural world transforms with vibrant colors, and many cultures celebrate the bounty of the harvest season.  

• November

The name "November" comes from the Latin word "novem," meaning nine, as it was the ninth month in the Roman calendar. November marks the approach of winter, gratitude, and reflection. It is associated with holidays such as Thanksgiving in the United States and Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth countries, highlighting themes of thankfulness and honoring those who have served. Additionally, November is a time for preparation and reflection as the year draws to a close.  

• December

The name "December" is derived from the Latin word "decem," meaning ten, as it was originally the tenth month in the Roman calendar. December is associated with winter solstice, festive celebrations, and the spirit of giving, as observed in various cultural and religious holidays around the world. It is a time for coming together, reflecting on the past year, and anticipating the start of a new one.

The Roman calendar involved ten months in a year. The Romans ignored the remaining 61 days of the year, which fell in the middle of winter. The names of the ten months are as follows: Martius, Aprilis, Maius, Junius, Quintilis, Sextilis, September, October, November, and December.

How Many Months Have 30 Days?

In a year, there is a total of 12 months. However, not every month has the same number of days. There are four months in a year with 30 days: April, June, September, and November. 

How Many Months Have 31 Days?

There are seven months in a year, with 31 days in a month. The names of those months are January, March, May, July, August, October, and December.

There are 365 days in a year. Every month has 30 or 31 days, except for February. It has 28 days for three years, where every fourth year is called a leap year, with 29 days in February instead of 28 days. However, a leap year has 366 days in a year, and the 29th day of February is known as Leap Day.

List of Month Names

Here is the list of 12-month names in English

 

Months	Days
January	31 days
February	28 days or 29 days (Leap Year)
March	31 days
April	30 days
May	31 days
June	30 days
July	31 days
August	31 days
September	30 days
October	31 days
November	30 days
December	31 days

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who Named Month

Julius Caesar introduced the calendar with a month-name list. Later in 45 B.C., Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new calendar with modifications, such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and public holidays. It is known as Gregorian Calendar. All the month named are derived from the Roman gods, leaders, festivals, and numbers.

2. What is the Name of the Thirteenth Month?

The name of the thirteenth month is Vern. Due to its proximity to the vernal equinox and the beginning of spring, this month is placed between February and March.

3. What or Who Was the Month of August Named After?

In 753 B.C., the year consisted of ten months used to starting in March. The name August came from the name of the first Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar, in 8 B.C. His original name was Sextilis in Latin. Sextilis means ” sixth “, which indicates the month’s position in the early Roman calendar. So, according to this, August was the sixth month.

4. Who Was the Month of July Named After?

In 44 BCE, the month of July was named after Julius Caesar. It is the seventh month of the Gregorian calendar. The original name of Julius Caesar was Quintilis, which means “fifth”. According to the Roman calendar, it was the year’s fifth month.

Uncover the stories behind each month today!

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