march

Where does the word "march" come from? It comes from Latin Martius, passing through Anglo-Norman before entering English (1200s).

March’s story begins in Latin: Martius meant “month of Mars.” The month of Mars and first month of the early Roman year, which is why September to December are named 'seventh' to 'tenth'. By 1100s, the word had taken hold in Anglo-Norman as marche. The Norman name replaced Old English Hreðmonað, which Bede (725) links to a goddess Hreða. It reached English by 1200s as March. 'mad as a March hare', from hares' boxing in the breeding season, is recorded from the 1500s. Today, march means the third month of the year.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · classical Martius "month of Mars", the month of Mars and first month of the early Roman year, which is why September to December are named 'seventh' to 'tenth'.
2. Stage 2 · Anglo-Norman · 1100s marche "March", the Norman name replaced Old English Hreðmonað, which Bede (725) links to a goddess Hreða.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s March "third month", 'mad as a March hare', from hares' boxing in the breeding season, is recorded from the 1500s.