The Name of the Months
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history,
history of calendar,
name of months,
trivia
Ever curious where the name of the months in the calendar came from? Who named them and what are the meaning of their names? Today’s trivia features a brief history of the current calendar we are using and the meaning of the 12 months the calendar has.
Early Romans had 10 months in their calendar and those were:
- Martius or March
- Aprilis or April
- Maius or May
- Junius or June
- Quintilis or July
- Sextilis or August
- September
- October
- November
- December
The year started in the month of Martius or March until in 700 B.C where Numa Pompilius, the 2nd king of Rome added the months Januarius or January and Februarius or February and eventually changed the starting month from Martius to Januarius. Numa Pompilius also created some months to have odd number of days for it signifies luck. After the month of februarius, there was an occasionally added month called the Intercalaris or Intercalendar. This was the origin of what we knew today as the leap-year that occurs every 4 years in February.
It was in 46 B.C when Julius Caesar changed the Roman calendar (the Julian calendar) by changing the number of days on some months and removing Intercalaris. Also the name of each month and its arrangement remains unchanged until this modern time.
Majority of the names of months came from Roman Gods and Goddess while some are from the order in which they appear in the calendar. Below are the names of the month and its corresponding meaning.
- January - named after Janus, the Roman God of gates or doorways or the beginnings and endings. Janus was depicted with two faces facing in two opposite directions.
Originally, January has 29 days until Julius Caesar changed it to 31 days.
- February– named after the festivals of purification which was celebrated in this month in Rome.
February has 28 days until in 450 B.C when it only has 23 days or 24 for every second month. Julius Caesar changed it to 28 days or 29 days every 4 years.
- March– after Mars, the Roman God of War. The original start of the year for Romans, and the time for the resumption of war.
March always has 31 days.
- April – from the word Aperire which means to open for as the buds starts to open on this month.
Originally has 30 days until Numa changes it to 29 days. Julius Caesar changes it to 30 days.
- May – named after Maia (the great one), the Italic Goddess of Spring, the daughter of Faunus, and wife of Vulcan. Other sources claimed it was named after Maiesta, the Roman Goddess of honor and revenge.
Always had 31 days
- June – after Juno, the goddess of marriage and well-being of women. Maybe that’s why lots of couple wanted to have their wedding on this month.
June has 30 days until Numa when it has 29 days. Julius Caesar changed it to 30 days.
- July – or quintilis or “fifth month”. Named after Julius Caesar in honor of the month when he was born.
Always had 31 days
- August – or sextilis or “sixth month” named after the 1st emperor of Rome, Augustus Caesar for several fortunate events in his life came in this month).
Originally has 30 days until Numa when it had 29 days. Julius Caesar changed it to 31 days.
- September – after septem or “seven” for it is the 7th month before the first 2 months were added in the calendar.
Originally has 30 days. Numa changed it to 29 days. Julius Caesar later changed it to 30 days.
- October – named after octo or “eight” for it is the 8th month before the first 2 months were added in the calendar.
Always has 31 days.
- November – after novem or “nine” for it is the 9th month before the first 2 months were added in the calendar.
Originally has 30 days. Numa changed it to 29. Julius Caesar later changed it to 30 days
- December – after decem or “ten” for it is the 10th month before the first 2 months were added in the calendar.
Originally has 30 days. Numa changed it to 29. Julius Caesar later changed it to 31 days
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April 27, 2011 at 3:49 PM
ok mam cindy...^_^
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