Why Is December Called December? Exploring Its Latin Origins and Calendar History
Discover why December is named after the Latin word for ten and how it shifted to the twelfth month in the modern calendar.
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December derives its name from 'decem,' the Latin word for ten, as it was originally the tenth month of the Roman calendar, which started in March. It retained its name even after the introduction of January and February into the calendar, which shifted December to become the twelfth month. The name December has been carried through centuries, marking the final month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, celebrated for its holiday season and for signaling the end of the year.
FAQs & Answers
- Why is December the twelfth month but named after ten? December was originally the tenth month in the Roman calendar, which began in March. When January and February were added at the start, December shifted to the twelfth month but kept its original name derived from the Latin word 'decem' meaning ten.
- What calendar did December originally belong to? December was part of the Roman calendar, which initially had ten months starting from March, before the introduction of January and February.
- Has December always been the last month of the year? No, December became the last month of the year after the calendar reforms that introduced January and February, which moved it from tenth to twelfth month in the modern Gregorian calendar.
- What does the Latin word 'decem' mean? 'Decem' is the Latin word for ten, reflecting December's original position as the tenth month in the Roman calendar.