moon

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

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.

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