See also Greek and Roman Mythology

January: named after Janus, the god of doors and gates

named after Janus, the god of doors and gates February: named after Februalia, a time period when sacrifices were made to atone for sins

named after Februalia, a time period when sacrifices were made to atone for sins March: named after Mars, the god of war

named after Mars, the god of war April: from aperire, Latin for “to open” (buds)

from Latin for “to open” (buds) May: named after Maia, the goddess of growth of plants

named after Maia, the goddess of growth of plants June: from junius, Latin for the goddess Juno

from Latin for the goddess Juno July: named after Julius Caesar in 44 B.C.

named after Julius Caesar in 44 August: named after Augustus Caesar in 8 B.C.

named after Augustus Caesar in 8 September: from septem, Latin for “seven”

from Latin for “seven” October: from octo, Latin for “eight”

from Latin for “eight” November: from novem, Latin for “nine”

from Latin for “nine” December: from decem, Latin for “ten”

NOTE: The earliest Latin calendar was a 10-month one, beginning with March; thus, September was the seventh month, October, the eighth, etc. July was originally called Quintilis, meaning fifth; August was originally called Sextilis, meaning sixth.