Etymology Map
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Moon

3 stages from Proto-Germanic to English.

Today it means the natural satellite of the Earth

Where does the word "moon" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic mēnô, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
mēnô
Proto-Germanic · ancient
"moon"
from a root for measuring, since the moon measured out the months; 'month' is related
2
Stage 2 of 3
mōna
Old English · 700s-1000s
"moon"
masculine in Old English, the reverse of Latin 'lūna'; 'mōnandæg', moon's day, gave 'Monday'
3
Stage 3 of 3
moon
English · 1500s
"moon"
'honeymoon' is recorded from the 1540s, the first month of marriage when love is sweetest
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Read the full story

Moon’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: mēnô meant “moon.” From a root for measuring, since the moon measured out the months; 'month' is related. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as mōna. Masculine in Old English, the reverse of Latin 'lūna'; 'mōnandæg', moon's day, gave 'Monday'. It reached English by 1500s as moon. 'honeymoon' is recorded from the 1540s, the first month of marriage when love is sweetest. Today, moon means the natural satellite of the Earth.