Etymology Map
Back to all words

April

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the fourth month of the year

Where does the word "april" come from? It comes from Latin Aprilis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
Aprilis
Latin · classical
"April"
origin disputed: Romans linked it to aperire 'to open', as buds open, while modern scholars favour an Etruscan form of Aphrodite, Apru
2
Stage 2 of 3
averil
Old French · 1100s
"April"
gave Middle English averil, replacing Old English Eastermonað, the month Bede (725) ties to a goddess Eostre
3
Stage 3 of 3
April
English · 1300s
"fourth month"
respelled after Latin; Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (c. 1387) opens 'Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote'
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

April’s story begins in Latin: Aprilis meant “April.” Origin disputed: Romans linked it to aperire 'to open', as buds open, while modern scholars favour an Etruscan form of Aphrodite, Apru. By 1100s, the word had taken hold in Old French as averil. Gave Middle English averil, replacing Old English Eastermonað, the month Bede (725) ties to a goddess Eostre. It reached English by 1300s as April. Respelled after Latin; Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (c. 1387) opens 'Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote'. Today, april means the fourth month of the year.