The Gods Behind the Names of Months

Did you know that many months we use today are named after gods and goddesses from ancient Roman and Greek mythology? This tradition has continued for thousands of years, reflecting the religious beliefs and cultural practices of early civilizations. Let's explore the fascinating origins of these month names and the gods they represent.

Roman and Greek Influences

The naming of months has roots in both Roman and Greek civilizations. While the Romans and Greeks had different names for their months, they often aligned their gods and their mythologies. Here, we dive into the stories behind the names of each month.

The Roman Pantheon

January - Janus

January is named after the Roman god Janus, who is the god of beginnings and endings, doors, and transitions. Janus is often depicted with two faces, one looking to the past and the other looking to the future. His role as a protector of entrances and exits made him an appropriate deity for the first month of the year in ancient Roman calendars.

February - Februum

February is named after the Latin term februum, which means purification. This month was traditionally a time for cleansing and purification in ancient Rome. The cis VIII Kal. Mart. (February 15) was a day of purification, when Romans would offer sacrifices to the goddess Februa.

March - Mars

March is named after the Roman god Mars, the god of war. The month originally served as the beginning of the military campaigning season. In the early Roman calendar, March was the first month of the year, as there were no January and February. The Romans called this month Marcha, which later evolved to March. The Greek equivalent to Mars was Ares.

The Greek Pantheon

The names of some months are directly derived from Greek gods or goddesses as well.

April - Aperire

April is named after the Latin verb aperire, meaning to open. However, it is believed to be related to the Greek season of spring or the verb apellere, which means "to call," as spring is seen as a time when life and growth are awakened.

May - Maia or Jupiter Maius

May can be named after the Roman goddess Maia, the goddess of growth and fertility. Maia is also the mother of Mercury/Hermes and is often associated with the month of spring. Alternatively, May is named after the Roman festival of Juppiter Maius, a festival honoring Jupiter, the king of the gods. In the Greek tradition, Jupiter is known as Zeus.

The Roman Empire and Beyond

June - Juno

June is named after the Roman goddess Juno, the queen of the gods and the goddess of marriage. In Greek mythology, she is known as Hera. June is often associated with weddings and traditional ceremonies, such as the nona noir (9th day before the ides of June) as the first day of year.

July - Julius Caesar

July is named after Julius Caesar, a Roman general who significantly contributed to the Roman Republic and later became the first Roman emperor. The month originally was called Quintilis, meaning the fifth month, as it was the fifth month of the Roman year.

August - Augustus

August is named after Augustus, the first Roman emperor who brought significant stability and unity to the Roman Empire. Before it was called Sextilis, meaning the sixth month, as it was the sixth month of the Roman calendar.

The Later Months - September to December

September - The Seventh Month

September means “the seventh month,” where septem is Latin for seven. The Roman priests indeed wanted to rename this month to honor Rome's second emperor Tiberius, but the emperor refused, maintaining its name - a tribute to the seventh month of the year.

October - The Eighth Month

October is named after the Latin word for "eight," Octo. The month originally signified the eighth month of the year, and it continues to be the tenth month in the modern 12-month calendar.

November - The Ninth Month

November is named from Latin novem, meaning "nine," signifying the ninth month of the Roman year. November has been the eleventh month in the modern calendar since Roman times.

December - The Tenth Month

December signifies the tenth month in Latin, decem. While it is the twelfth month of the modern calendar, it was originally the tenth month in the Roman calendar.

Conclusion

From the names of the gods to the seasonal significance of each month, the origins of our month names offer a glimpse into the rich cultural and mythological heritage of ancient civilizations. It's a fascinating blend of human history, religion, and culture, and it continues to shape the way we organize our time and mark the passing of seasons.