Dwain Northey (Gen X)

The name November has ancient roots that trace back to the Roman calendar. Its origin lies in the Latin word novem, meaning “nine.” This might seem strange today since November is the eleventh month of the year—but in the original Roman calendar, it was indeed the ninth.

When Rome’s early calendar was created—traditionally attributed to Romulus, the city’s legendary founder—it contained only ten months, beginning in March and ending in December. March (Martius) honored Mars, the god of war, fitting for a society of warriors; the year began with the season of campaigning. November, then, was simply the ninth month—mensis November—and it kept that numerical name even as the calendar evolved.

Later, under King Numa Pompilius (around 713 BCE), the Romans added January and February to the beginning of the year, pushing November to the eleventh position. Despite this change, the name stuck. The Romans, ever practical in some ways and stubborn in others, never bothered to rename the months to reflect their new positions. Thus, novem (“nine”), decem (“ten”), and so on, remained even though they no longer matched the months’ order.

November also carried symbolic meaning for the Romans. It was a time of harvest and preparation for winter, when the growing season ended and people turned inward, both literally and spiritually. The month was associated with rest, reflection, and the honoring of the dead, themes that survive in modern observances like All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

In short, November is a linguistic relic—a word that still bears the imprint of Rome’s earliest calendar. Its name is a reminder of an older world, when counting months began not in the chill of January but in the promise of spring.