Language/Latin/Vocabulary/Months-of-the-Year

How to Write & Pronounce the Months of the Year in Latin

Hello Latin Language learners 😊!

The following table shows you:

• the months of the year in Latin,
• their translation in English,
• their pronunciation,
• the origin of the word.

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The months of the year in Latin: What do they mean? Where do they come from? The Latin names are all taken from the Roman calendar (whereas our current calendar is "the Gregorian Calendar"). Most names refer to illustrious names from Roman mythology and politics. Thanks to the explanations below, you will be able to shine in society every first of the month!

Happy learning ! 😀

Table: Months (Mensis) of the year in Latin

• In Latin, the word "month" is written mensis in the singular and menses in the plural.

Month in English	Month in Latin	Listen to the Pronunciation	Meaning & Origin
January	Mensis Ianuarius		The month of the god Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings, choices, passage and doors.
February	Mensis Februarius		The month of purification. The Latin februarius (still at the origin of the English February) means "month of purification", itself derived from februum, "means of purifying".
March	Mensis Martius		The month of the god Martius, the famous god of warriors, youth and violence.
April	Mensis Aprilis		We do not know precisely the etymology of the name April. Certainly, we know the Latin root aprilis, which, once again, was used to form the English April, but its meaning remains obscure.
May	Mensis Maius		The month of Maia, Roman goddess of fertility and spring.
June	Mensis Iunius		The most widespread etymology links the name of this month to that of Lucius Junius Brutus, the legendary founder of the Roman Republic.
July	Mensis Iulius		The month of Emperor Julius Caesar.
August	Mensis Augustus		The month of the first Roman emperor, Augustus.
September	Mensis September		Seventh Month
October	Mensis October		Eighth Month
November	Mensis November		Ninth Month
December	Mensis December		Tenth Month