• The word month comes from the Moon, which takes roughly a month to go around the
Earth.
• The names of months in English (as well as in many other languages) come from
Latin words.
January
Januarius
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This month was dedicated to Janus, the Roman god of doors. Janus had two faces, one looking back at the old year and the other looking forward to the new year.
February
Februarius
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Februa was the Roman purification festival, which took place at this time of year.
March
Martius
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From Mars, the Roman god of war.
April
Aprilis
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From aperire, Latin for open, because plants begin to open during this month.
May
Maius
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Probably comes from maia, the Roman goddess of growth and increase.
June
Junius
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Either from a Roman family name Junius, which means young, or perhaps after the goddess Juno.
July
Julius
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After Julius Caesar. This month was named in Caesar's honour by Mark Antony in 44 BC. Previously this month was called Quintilis from the word [Quintus], five, as it was the fifth month in the Roman Calendar.
August
Augustus
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Named in 8 BC in honour of Emperor Augustus.
September
September
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From Septem, seven, because it was the seventh month in the Roman Calendar.
October
October
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From Octo, eight(as in octopus,which has eight legs), the eighth month in the Roman calendar.
November
November
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From Novem, nine, the ninth month in the Roman calendar.
December
December
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From Decem, ten, the tenth month in the Roman calendar.