Origen of the Names of the Months

January

Roman god Janus.He was the god of doors, beginnings,

sunset and sunrise, had one face looking forward and one backward

February

Februa, Latin for purity.On February 15 the Romans celebrated the

festival of forgiveness for sins.

March

March was named after Mars, Roman god of War.

April

Aprilis in Latin, perhaps derived from aperire (Latin to open, as in opening buds and blossoms) or perhaps from Aphrodite, original Greek name of Venus.

May

Roman goddess Maia. She embodies the concept of growth.

June

Roman goddess Juno, she looked after the women of Rome.

July

Named after Julius Caesar, who was born in this month.

August

Formerly Sextilis (sixth month in the Roman calendar), renamed in 8BC for Augustus Caesar.

September

Septem, Latin for 7. The seventh month in the Roman calendar.

October

Octo, Latin for 8 in the Roman calendar.

November

Novem, Latin for 9.

December

Decem, Latin for 10

Origen of the names of the days

Monday

The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon monandaeg, moon´s day.

Tuesday

This day was named after the Norse god Tyr (god of law and justice). The Romans named this day after their war-god Mars (martes)

Wednesday

Wednesday is named after the Norse god Wodan, The Romans called it Mercurii, after their god Mercury (Miércoles)

Thursday

This day is named after the Norse god Thor, associated with thunder, lightning, storms, and protection of mankind. The Romans called this day Jovis after Jove or Jupiter (jueves).

Friday

FThe day in honor of the Norse goddess Frigg,

wife of Wodan (Wednesday). She is the goddess of fertility and love. To the Romans this day was sacred to the goddess Venus (viernes)

Saturday

This day was called Saturni by the Romans in honour of Saturn, god of time, dissolution, plenty, wealth…

Sunday

The name comes from the Latin die solis (sun´s day) the name of a pagan Roman holiday also called Dominica (domingo)

The End