The Foundation: Latin and the Roman Calendar
The modern French calendar, like most Western calendars, is based on the ancient Roman calendar. The influence of Latin, the language of the Romans, is evident in the names of the months. Over time, as Latin evolved and mingled with local dialects and the developing French language, these names adapted but largely retained their Latin roots.
January – janvier
‘Janvier’ comes from the Latin word ‘Ianuarius,’ named after Janus, the Roman god of doors and beginnings. Janus was depicted with two faces, symbolizing transitions and the passage from one year to the next.
February – février
‘Février’ is derived from the Latin ‘Februarius.’ This month was named after ‘Februa,’ a Roman festival of purification. The festival was held during this time to cleanse the city and prepare for the coming year.
March – mars
‘Mars’ in French comes straight from Latin ‘Martius,’ named in honor of Mars, the Roman god of war. This month marked the start of the military campaign season in ancient Rome.
April – avril
‘Avril’ is rooted in the Latin ‘Aprilis.’ The origin of ‘Aprilis’ is debated, but many scholars believe it comes from ‘aperire,’ meaning ‘to open,’ referring to the blooming of flowers and the opening of buds in spring.
May – mai
‘Mai’ traces back to ‘Maius’ in Latin, named after Maia, an earth goddess of growing plants. She symbolized fertility and the abundance of spring.
June – juin
‘Juin’ comes from the Latin ‘Junius,’ named after Juno, the goddess of marriage and the well-being of women. June was considered a favorable month for weddings.
The Numbered Months and Imperial Influence
The later months of the year have names that reflect their original place in the Roman calendar, which began in March.
July – juillet
Originally called ‘Quintilis’ (fifth month), July was renamed ‘Julius’ in honor of Julius Caesar. In French, it became ‘juillet,’ preserving the tribute to Caesar.
August – août
‘Août’ originates from ‘Augustus,’ named after the first Roman emperor, Augustus. This replaced the earlier name ‘Sextilis’ (sixth month), and the French version closely follows the Latin pronunciation and spelling.
September – septembre
‘Septembre’ is based on the Latin ‘September,’ from ‘septem,’ meaning seven. This reflects its position as the seventh month in the old Roman calendar.
October – octobre
‘Octobre’ comes from the Latin ‘October,’ from ‘octo,’ meaning eight. Similarly, it was the eighth month in the Roman calendar.
November – novembre
‘Novembre’ derives from ‘November,’ from the Latin ‘novem,’ meaning nine. It followed the same naming pattern based on its sequence in the year.
December – décembre
‘Décembre’ is from ‘December,’ based on ‘decem,’ Latin for ten, as it was originally the tenth month in the Roman year.
The Revolutionary Calendar: A Brief Interlude
During the French Revolution, there was a short-lived attempt to rename the months to reflect seasonal characteristics, such as ‘Brumaire’ and ‘Floréal.’ However, after the fall of the revolutionary government, France reverted to the traditional month names, which persist today.
Why Learning Month Etymology Helps French Learners
For students of French, understanding the origins of month names can make memorization easier by linking unfamiliar words to familiar concepts or stories. It also provides cultural context that enriches the language learning experience. On platforms like Talkpal, incorporating these linguistic insights into your studies can boost both vocabulary acquisition and cultural appreciation.
Conclusion: Month Names as Windows into History
The names of the French months are more than mere labels; they are echoes of ancient Rome, mythology, and a testament to the enduring influence of Latin on the French language. For learners, exploring these origins deepens both linguistic understanding and cultural appreciation, making the journey of mastering French even more rewarding. Dive into the history behind the words, and let resources like Talkpal guide you towards fluency and cultural insight.
