Etymology Map
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February

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the second month of the year

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
Februarius
Latin · classical
"month of purification"
from februa, purification rites held in mid-February, including the Lupercalia on the 15th; Julius Caesar's calendar of 45 BC gave it the leap day
2
Stage 2 of 3
feverier
Old French · 1100s
"February"
Vulgar Latin had already dropped the first r (Febrarius); Middle English had forms like feverer
3
Stage 3 of 3
February
English · 1300s
"second month"
scholars restored the Latin -br- in spelling, though many speakers still say 'Feb-yoo-ary'; Old English called it Solmonað, which Bede (725) explains as the month of cakes offered to the gods
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February’s story begins in Latin: Februarius meant “month of purification.” From februa, purification rites held in mid-February, including the Lupercalia on the 15th; Julius Caesar's calendar of 45 BC gave it the leap day. By 1100s, the word had taken hold in Old French as feverier. Vulgar Latin had already dropped the first r (Febrarius); Middle English had forms like feverer. It reached English by 1300s as February. Scholars restored the Latin -br- in spelling, though many speakers still say 'Feb-yoo-ary'; Old English called it Solmonað, which Bede (725) explains as the month of cakes offered to the gods. Today, february means the second month of the year.