What are the Meanings for the Months of the Year

We look at the calendar, several times a day. We check our calendar to schedule meetings; we refer to dates and months to plan our vacations. But we hardly even think about the meanings of these months. What are the meanings of the months of the year? Let us see.

January: The name, January, is derived from 'Janus', the Roman God of gates and doorways. Janus is represented as having two faces, looking in opposite directions.

February: February has perhaps originated from the Sabine culture. The Roman festival of purification, which is celebrated on February 15, is called 'Februa'.

March: March, the third month of our calendar, was originally the first month of the year. It was considered as the time to resume war. March is regarded as the month of Mars.

April: April is believed as being Aphrodite’s month. Aphrodite is the Greek Goddess of love and beauty.

May: The name of this month is derived from the French word ‘Mai’. Maia is the goddess of spring. She is supposed to be the daughter of Faunus, one of the oldest Roman deities and the wife of Vulcan. The word ‘Maia’ means, the ‘great one’.

June: June is regarded as Juno’s month. Juno is the goddess of the Roman pantheon. She symbolizes marriage and welfare of woman.

July: It was originally known as Quintilis. When Julius Caesar updated the Roman calendar, he renamed this month after his own name.

August: This month is named in honor of Augustus Caesar, who reformed the calendar of Julius Caesar, and named this month from his own name.

September: The meaning of the Latin word, 'septem’ is ‘seven’. The word ‘septimus’ means ‘seventh’. Originally, September was the seventh month of the calendar.

October: October was the eighth month of the old Roman calendar. It is linked with autumn in the Northern hemisphere, while it is associated with the spring season in the Southern hemisphere.

November: The word November has been derived from the Latin word 'novem', meaning nine. Its name remained intact even after January and February were added to the Roman calendar.

December: This month derives its name from the Latin word ‘decem’ that means ‘ten’.

After going through the meanings of the months of the year, you will find it interesting to explore each month in greater detail. I am sure you will like to read about birthday flowers, to know which is your birth month flower. You will also like to browse through this list of birthstones for each month.