Origin of the Months of the Year

Our calendar today originated in Roman times. This can still be seen in the names of the months that are Latin words or named after Roman gods. Try to find out the origin of each month.

1. This month is named after the Roman emperor Julius Caesar. - JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
2. This month is named after the Roman war god Mars. - JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
3. Before Julius Caesar decided that the year should begin in January (not March), this had been the seventh month of the year (The Latin word for seven is septem). - JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
4. This used to be the tenth month of the year. (The Latin word for ten is decem.) - JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
5. This month is named after the Roman god Janus - JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
6. This used to be the eighth month of the year (eight = octo). - JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
7. The name of this month stands for the opening of the buds in spring. (to open = aperire) - JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
8. This month is named after the Roman emperor Augustus - JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
9. This month is named after the Roman mother goddess Maia. - JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
10. This month is named after the Roman festival of Februa. - JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
11. In the old Roman calendar this used to be the ninth month (nine = novem). - JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
12. This month is named after the Roman goddess Juno, Jupiter's wife. - JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember