ORIGIN OF THE NAMES OF THE MONTHS

Only a few names of the month were derived from Roman deities. Most simply came from the numbers of the months or -- in two cases -- in honor of Roman emperors.

January: Named after the Roman god of beginnings and endings Janus (the month Januarius).

February: The name comes either from the old-Italian god Februus or else from februa, signifying the festivals of purification celebrated in Rome during this month.

March : This is the first month of the Roman year. It is named after the Roman god of war, Mars.

April: Called Aprilis, from aperire, "to open". Possible because it is the month in which the flowers begin to open.


May: The third month of the Roman calendar. The name probably comes from Maiesta, the Roman goddess of honor and reverence.

June: The fourth month was named in honor of Juno. However, the name might also come from iuniores (young men; juniors) as opposed to maiores (old men; majors) for May, the two months being dedicated to young and old men.

July: It was the month in which Julius Caesar was born, and named Julius in his honor in 44 BCE, the year of his assassination. Also called Quintilis (fifth month).


August: Originally this month was called Sextilis (from sextus, "six"), but the name was later changed in honor of the first of the Roman emperors, Augustus.

September: The name comes from septem, "seven".


October: The name comes from octo, "eight"


November The name comes from novem, "nine".


December: The name comes from decem, "ten".

LET'S PLAY! The Roman Calendar   Match each month with its origin.