Months & Seasons

January

named for Janus, the Roman god of doors, beginnings, and transitions. He is often shown with two faces, looking backward and forward.

February

from Latin februa, referring to purification rites held in that month.

March

named for Mars, the Roman god of war.

April

uncertain origin. It may come from Latin aperire, “to open,” referring to flowers and plants opening in spring, but the origin is debated.

May

probably named for Maia, a Roman/Greek goddess associated with growth.

June

probably named for Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and women.

July

originally Quintilis, “fifth month,” then renamed for Julius Caesar.

August

originally Sextilis, “sixth month,” then renamed for Augustus Caesar.

September

from Latin septem, seven.

October

from Latin octo, eight.

November

from Latin novem, nine.

December

from Latin decem, ten.

Spring

originally referred to the springing up of plants. In Middle English people used phrases like “spring of the year” or “springing time,” and eventually spring became the season’s name.

Summer

comes from Old English sumor, from an ancient Germanic word for the warm season.

Fall

comes from the phrase “fall of the leaf.” English speakers shortened that to fall. That usage became especially common in North America.

Autumn

came into English from French and ultimately Latin autumnus. Its deeper origin is uncertain. In Britain, autumn became more common, while fall remained very common in American English.

Winter

comes from Old English winter and is also an ancient Germanic word. Its ultimate origin is uncertain; some theories connect it with water/wet or with white, but those are not certain.