Month
Origins
Month |
Derivation |
Comments |
January |
Janus
|
The
Roman god of gates and doors |
February |
februa
|
Latin
word signifying the festivals of purification |
March |
Mars
|
The
god of war |
April |
aperire
|
"to
open" |
May |
Maia
|
The
goddess Maia, daughter of Atlas and mother of Mercury |
June |
Juno
|
Roman
goddess of marriage |
July |
Julius
|
The
month in which Julius Caesar was born |
August |
Augustus
|
Roman
Emperor |
September |
septem
|
Latin
for seven. The seventh month of the Roman calendar. |
October |
octo
|
Latin
for eight. The eighth month of the Roman calendar. |
November |
novem
|
Latin
for nine. The ninth month of the Roman calendar. |
December |
decem
|
Latin
for ten. The tenth month of the Roman calendar. |
Note: The primitive Roman year actually began in March.