january

Where does the word "january" come from? It comes from Latin Ianuarius, passing through Anglo-Norman before entering English (1300s).

January’s story begins in Latin: Ianuarius meant “month of Janus.” The month of Janus, two-faced god of doorways and beginnings; from 153 BC Roman consuls took office on 1 January, making it the start of the civil year. By 1100s, the word had taken hold in Anglo-Norman as Genever. The Norman French form replaced Old English Æfterra Geola, 'after Yule'. It reached English by 1300s as January. Respelled after Latin; England's legal year began on 25 March until the Calendar Act of 1750 moved New Year's Day to 1 January from 1752. Today, january means the first month of the year.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · classical Ianuarius "month of Janus", the month of Janus, two-faced god of doorways and beginnings; from 153 BC Roman consuls took office on 1 January, making it the start of the civil year.
2. Stage 2 · Anglo-Norman · 1100s Genever "January", the Norman French form replaced Old English Æfterra Geola, 'after Yule'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s January "first month", respelled after Latin; England's legal year began on 25 March until the Calendar Act of 1750 moved New Year's Day to 1 January from 1752.