Etymology Map
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Calendar

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a chart of days, weeks and months

Where does the word "calendar" come from? It comes from Latin kalendae, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
kalendae
Latin · ancient
"first day of the month"
when interest on debts was due
2
Stage 2 of 3
kalendier
Old French · medieval
"account book"
a register of dates
3
Stage 3 of 3
calendar
English · 1200s
"register of days"
the Gregorian calendar was adopted in Britain in 1752
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Read the full story

Calendar’s story begins in Latin: kalendae meant “first day of the month.” When interest on debts was due. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as kalendier. A register of dates. It reached English by 1200s as calendar. The Gregorian calendar was adopted in Britain in 1752. Today, calendar means a chart of days, weeks and months.