The calendar we use today originated in Roman times. This can still be seen in the names ofmonths that are Latin words or named after Roman gods. Before Julius Caesar, the first month of the year used to be March.
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
named after the Roman god Janus
named after the Roman festival of Februa
named after the Roman war god Mars
stands for the opening of the buds in spring (to open = aperire)
named after the Roman mother goddess Maia
named after the Roman goddess Juno, Jupiter's wife
named after the Roman emperor Julius Caesar
named after the Roman emperor Augustus
In the old calendar (before Julius Caesar) this month used to be the seventh month of the year (The Latin word for seven is septem)
In the old calendar this used to be the eighth month of the year (eight = octo)
In the old Roman calendar this used to be the ninth month (nine = novem)
In the old calendar this used to be the tenth month of the year. (The Latin word for ten is decem)