WHERE DO THE MONTHS GET THEIR NAMES FROM?

Do you know that the calendar that we use today is a fairly new one? The ancient Romans used a different calendar system, and their year began in March and ended in February and had ten months! In 1582, Pope Gregory adjusted the calendar, so most western nations began celebrating the start of the year on January 1. This new calendar became known as the "Gregorian calendar." However, England and the American colonies continued to celebrate the New Year on the date of the spring equinox in March. It was not until 1752 that the British and their colonies finally adopted the Gregorian calendar.

Even though our modern system may be quite different from the ancient Romans', they gave us something very important: the months' names. We have known these names since our school days but do you know how these months got their respective names? We get used to these names and have taken them for granted. They have become as familiar as a festival or a ritual or favorite food of that particular time of the year. A month's name is hardly ever given any thought. Let's take a look at where these names have stemmed from: 

January

This is named after Janus, the Roman God. In ancient Roman religion and myth, Janus is the God of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, and endings. It is represented with t he was a god of spring, growth in nature, and fertility, and the protector of cattle. he was a god of spring, growth in nature, and fertility, and the protector of cattle. o heads that are back to back, signifying that he is looking back at the past for perspective, or looking forward to the future for hope. This duality perfectly coincides the end of one year and the start of the next. 

February

Derived from the Roman period of Februa, back in the day this was a festival of purification, also called the festival of Lupercalia. February was named after the Roman God Februus who represented purification. This festival took place on the 15th day of the month. It included some cleansing rituals which were believed to improve health and fertility. 

March

In the Roman calendar, the third month of our calendar was their first month. It was named after Mars, the Roman god of war and identified with the Greek god Ares. It was a time to resume war after the winter had thawed out. An ancient Roman deity, in importance second only to Jupiter he is also an agricultural guardian, he was a god of spring, growth in nature, and fertility, and the protector of cattle.

April

Aphrodite or Venus

This month is considered to be the month of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty. The word itself comes from the Latin word apeire. This means to open, and is usually referred to in connection with flower buds opening to bloom in the spring. Then again April may have got its name from the Latin word meaning “second" since April was the second month. Aphrodite is identified with Venus by the Romans. The Greek word aphros means “foam,” according to Hesiod's Theogony, she was born from the foam in the waters of Paphos, on the island of Cyprus. She supposedly arose from the foam when the Titan Cronus slew his father Uranus and threw his genitals into the sea.

May

Derived from the French word Mai, and named after Maia, the goddess of spring and growth. Maia is the daughter of Faunus, one of the oldest Roman deities and the wife of Vulcan. In Greek mythology, Maia is known as the mother of Hermes. Both the Greeks and the Romans considered Maia to be a nurturer filled with warmth. She causes the plants to grow through Her gentle heat,

June

June is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of love and marriage. According to Roman mythology, Juno watched over pregnant women and children, ensuring their safe births. For this reason, getting married in June is considered good luck. Not only is June an ideal time for weddings, it is also a good month for renewing vows and conceiving children. She is often thought of as the Roman version of the Greek goddess of love and marriage, Hera. Juno was the wife and sister of Jupiter, and the two of them were worshipped along with the Goddess Minerva on the Quirinal in Rome.

July

Initially known as Quintillis, or the fifth month, this month was named in honor of Julius Ceasar after his death in 44 B.C.E. as he was born in this month. July is the first month of the calendar which is named after a real person.  Julius Caaser introduced a new calendar, the Julian calendar, that corrected astronomical discrepancies in the old.

Augustus

August

August was originally called Sextilis, from the Latin word sextus, meaning six. Its name was then changed to honor the Roman emperor Augustus, Ceasar's great nephew. Augustus brought peace to a conflicted area and inspired growth, reform and a stronger infrastructure within its cities. He was a statesman and military leader who was the first Emperor of the Roman Empire, controlling Imperial Rome from 27 BC until his death in AD 14

September

September comes from the Latin term septem, meaning seven, as it was originally the seventh month in the ancient Roman calendar - which until 153 BCE was originally ten months long. September depicted the celebration of Ludi Romani, which lasted several weeks and featured chariot races, gladiatorial contests and lots of feasts. Spiritually, September can be thought of as the month we celebrate our personal victories and accomplishments. 

October

Derived from the word octo, which means eight - as this was the eight month of the Roman calendar, which then became the tenth month with the Gregorian calendar. October is marked by many festivals that take place around the world, including Oktoberfest in Germany. 

November

This is derived from the Latin word novem, meaning nine. Its name stuck, just as the other did, even after January and February were added to the calendar. November is associated with Thanksgiving in the states, a four day weekend that includes a lot of eating, Black Friday and the start of the Christmas holiday season. 

Decima in the middle of the three fates

December

Coming from the Latin word decem, which means ten, this month of the Julian calendar is the tenth month, while it is now the 12th month of the Gregorian one. The Latin name is derived from Decima. In Roman mythology, Decima was one of the three Parcae, or often known in English as the Fates. ... the thread of life with her rod, like her Greek equivalent Lachesis. Her mother is the Goddess of night and her father is the God of darkness.

So that is how the months got their names!