Month Names

Learning the month names is a fundamental stepping stone in a child’s early education. The Gregorian calendar divides the year into twelve months, ranging from January through December; each with its own fixed number of days. Beyond just their names, it's helpful to understand how long each month lasts and how leap years introduce an extra day in February, bringing the total to 366 days. This article gives you a comprehensive list of month names in English, along with their specialities and origins to support better understanding and memory retention.

Table of Contents

• What Are the Month Names in English?
• Origin and Meaning of Month Names
• 12-Month Name in English​ and Their Specialities
• Months of the Year With 31 Days
• Months of the Year With 30 Days
• Frequently Asked Questions on Month Names

 

What Are the Month Names in English?

The 12-month names in English are something every student should know to understand the calendar and how the year is divided. Each month has its own number of days and a unique name. Knowing these names helps in reading dates, planning events, and understanding seasons. Here are the 12 English months' names and the number of days in every month in correct order, which every child should learn:

 

Origin and Meaning of Month Names

Most English month names come from Latin due to the influence of the Roman calendar. Some months are named after gods (January from Janus), leaders (July from Julius Caesar), or numbers (September means the seventh month in Latin). This history is helpful in general knowledge and competitive exams.

12-Month Name in English​ and Their Specialities

The 12 months of the year each have their own unique origin, history, and significance. Most of their names come from Latin or Roman traditions, often linked to gods, rulers, or numbers in the old Roman calendar.

Over time, every month has also gained cultural, seasonal, and symbolic meanings that people across the world associate with festivals, weather changes, and new beginnings. Let’s see the names of all 12 months in English and the specialities that make each of them unique.

 

January

The name "January" is derived from the Latin word "ianuarius," which is named after the Roman god Janus. Janus was the god of beginnings, transitions, and endings, often depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions, symbolising the past and the future. January is the first month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, and it marks the beginning of a new year, making it a symbol of fresh starts and new beginnings for many cultures.  

 

February

The name "February" is derived from the Latin term "februum," which means purification. This may be in reference to the purification rituals conducted during this time of year in ancient Rome. February is the second month of the year in the Gregorian calendar and is often associated with love due to the celebration of Valentine's Day on February 14th. It is a month that marks the end of winter and the beginning of early signs of spring in many parts of the world.  

 

March

The name "March" comes from the Roman god of war, Mars, who was also an agricultural guardian. March was originally the first month in the early Roman calendar and is associated with the beginning of spring and the renewal of nature. In many cultures, March is a time for celebrating new beginnings, growth, and the end of winter.

 

April

The origin of the name "April" is uncertain, though it may be derived from the Latin word "aperire," meaning to open or blossom, signifying the arrival of spring and the blooming of flowers. April is often associated with renewal, growth, and the arrival of warmer weather, marking a time of rejuvenation and natural beauty.  

 

May

The name "May" is derived from the Greek and Roman goddess Maia, who was associated with fertility and growth. May is often considered a month of rebirth, fertility, and the abundance of nature. It is a time when the natural world is in full bloom, and it is often associated with vitality and growth.  

 

June

The name "June" is thought to be derived from the Latin word "iuniores," meaning "young ones," possibly due to the month's association with youth and vitality. June is often considered the month of weddings and is associated with warmth, vitality, and the peak of the growing season. It is a time when the days are longest in the Northern Hemisphere, and it symbolises the height of summer and abundance.  

 

July

The month of July was originally known as Quintilis, meaning the fifth month in Latin, as it was the fifth month in the Roman calendar. It was later renamed in honour of Julius Caesar. July marks the middle of the year and is associated with the height of summer, warmth, and the celebration of national independence days in various countries. It is a time for outdoor festivities, vacations, and enjoying the long, sunny days.  

 

August

August was originally known as Sextilis, meaning the sixth month in Latin, as it was the sixth month in the Roman calendar. It was later renamed in honour of Emperor Augustus. August is a month associated with harvest, abundance, and the end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time of reaping the rewards of hard work, enjoying the remaining warmth of summer, and preparing for the transition to autumn.  

 

September

The name "September" is derived from the Latin word "septem," meaning seven, as it was the seventh month in the Roman calendar. It has associations with the onset of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, the beginning of the school year in many countries, and various cultural festivals. September is a time of transition, cooler weather, and the changing colours of nature as summer gives way to fall. 

 

October

The name "October" is derived from the Latin word "octo," meaning eight, as it was the eighth month in the Roman calendar before January and February were added. October is associated with the beauty of autumn foliage, harvest festivals, and Halloween celebrations. It is a time when the natural world transforms with vibrant colours, and many cultures celebrate the bounty of the harvest season.  

 

November

The name "November" comes from the Latin word "novem," meaning nine, as it was the ninth month in the Roman calendar. November marks the approach of winter, gratitude, and reflection. It is associated with holidays such as Thanksgiving in the United States and Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth countries, highlighting themes of thankfulness and honouring those who have served. Additionally, November is a time for preparation and reflection as the year draws to a close.  

 

December

The name "December" is derived from the Latin word "decem," meaning ten, as it was originally the tenth month in the Roman calendar. December is associated with winter solstice, festive celebrations, and the spirit of giving, as observed in various cultural and religious holidays around the world. It is a time for coming together, reflecting on the past year, and anticipating the start of a new one.

The Roman calendar involved ten months in a year. The Romans ignored the remaining 61 days of the year, which fell in the middle of winter. The names of the ten months are as follows: Martius, Aprilis, Maius, Junius, Quintilis, Sextilis, September, October, November, and December.

 

Months of the Year With 31 Days

Some months in a year have 31 days. These months are a bit longer than the others and come at different times of the year. Knowing which months have 31 days helps students understand the calendar better and also improves their calculation skills, as many mathematical questions are based on the number of days in a month. Check the list of month names of the year with 31 days here:

• January

• March

• May

• July

• August

• October

• December

To remember the months of the year with 31 days, students can use the knuckle trick. This simple method helps easily count which months have 31 days by feeling the knuckles and spaces on your hand.

 

Months of the Year With 30 Days

After the months with 31 days, some months in the year have 30 days. These months are easy to remember since they all have the same number of days. Knowing about the months of the year with 30 days can help students solve calendar-based problems and understand dates better. The month names with 30 days are:

• April

• June

• September

• November

 

What is a Leap Year?

A normal year has 365 days. But the Earth takes a little more time, about 365 days and 6 hours, to go around the Sun. After 4 years, these extra 6 hours add up to 1 full day. So, every 4 years, we add one extra day to the year. This year is called a leap year. A leap year has 366 days instead of 365. This helps keep the calendar correct with how the Earth moves around the Sun.

For example, in a normal year, February has 28 days. But in a leap year, February has 29 days. This extra day helps keep the calendar correct with how the Earth moves around the Sun.

 

Frequently Asked Questions on Month Names

 

Q1. What are the 12-month names?

Answer: The 12 months of the year in English are: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December. They follow a specific order and each has a different number of days, except for February in a leap year.

Q2. What were the 12 months named after?

Answer: The 12 months of the year primarily draw their names from Roman gods, historical figures, and Latin words related to the calendar's structure. January and February were added later to the Roman calendar, while the remaining months were initially numbered from the fifth month onward.

 

Q3. What month has 30, 31 days?

Answer: Months with 30 days: April, June, September, November. Months with 31 days: January, March, May, July, August, October, December.

 

Q4. Which month has 29 days?

Answer: February- Every four years, something special happens in the calendar. February gains an extra day, making it 29 days long instead of the usual 28. This extra day is added to keep our calendar in sync with the Earth's movement around the Sun.

 

Q5. Who was the month of July named in honour of​?

Answer: The month of July was named in honour of the Roman general, statesman, and dictator, Julius Caesar.

 

Q6. What or who was the month of August named after​?

Answer: The month of August was named after Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor, in 8 BCE by the Roman Senate. The month was originally called Sextilis, the Latin word for "sixth month" in the ancient Roman calendar.

 

Q7. were they named after the months of the year​?

Answer: The names of the months come from various Roman traditions, including deities like Juno and Maia, powerful leaders such as Julius Caesar and Augustus, and numerical Latin roots for the later months, like "septem" for seven, which became September.

 

Q8. Which Roman god is the month of March named after​?

Answer: The month of March is named after Mars, the Roman god of war. The month was originally the first month of the Roman calendar and marked the beginning of the military campaign season, an important time for the Roman army.