Names of months

            The  names of the months in English (as well in many other languages) come from Latin Words.

January

                Januarius – 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 – Februa was the Roman purification festival, which took

                place at this time of year.

March

                Martius – from Mars, the Roman god of war.

April

                Aprilis – from aperire, Latin for open, because plants begin to open 

                during this month.

May

                Maius – probably comes from Maia, the Roman goddess of growth 

                and increase.

June

        Junius – either from a Roman family name junius, which means  

        young, or perhaps after the goddess Juno.

July

                Julius – after julius Caesar.  This month was named in Caesar’s 

                honour by Mark Antony in 44BC. Previously this month was called  

                Quintilis from word quintus, five as it was the fifth month in 

                the Roman calendar.

August

                Augustus – named in 8 BC in honour of Emperor Augustus.

 

September

                September – from septem, seven , because it was the seventh 

                month in the Roman Calendar.

November

                November – from novem, nine ,  the ninth month in the Roman 

                Calendar.

December

                December – from decem, ten the tenth month in the Roman 

                Calendar.