The Origins of January: Why It Became the First Month of the Year

I’ve always been curious, why is January, the first month of the calendar year? I mean after all, it holds a unique position as the beginning of new beginnings. But where does the name "January" come from, and how did it earn its place at the start of our calendar? The answers are steeped in history, mythology, and the evolution of timekeeping systems. Come learn with me.

The Name "January": A Tribute to Janus

The name "January" derives from Janus, a Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and endings. Depicted with two faces—one looking to the past and the other to the future—Janus symbolizes the dual nature of time. His presence was a fitting inspiration for a month that stands at the threshold of a new year. In ancient Roman culture, Janus was revered as the deity who presided over doorways and gates, both literal and metaphorical, making him an apt choice to represent the gateway into a new year.

In Latin, "Ianuarius" was dedicated to Janus, and it marked a time for reflection and planning. The two-faced imagery of Janus is often invoked during New Year’s celebrations, reminding us to learn from the past while looking ahead with hope and intention.

Why January is the First Month

Surprisingly, January hasn’t always been the first month of the year. To understand how it came to hold this position, we must look back to the Roman calendar. The earliest Roman calendar, attributed to Romulus, the founder of Rome, was a 10-month lunar calendar beginning in March and ending in December. This structure left a gap during the winter months, which were considered a "dead period" without specific months assigned.

In 713 BCE, King Numa Pompilius reformed the calendar by adding two new months: January and February. These months accounted for the previously unmarked winter period, and the year now had 12 months. However, the Roman year still began in March, aligning with the spring equinox and the start of the military campaigning season.

It wasn’t until 46 BCE, under the rule of Julius Caesar, that January officially became the first month of the year. As part of his sweeping calendar reforms, Caesar introduced the Julian calendar, a solar-based system that corrected the inaccuracies of the earlier lunar calendar. He chose January 1 as the start of the year to honor the god Janus and because it coincided with the time when newly elected Roman consuls took office. This made January a practical and symbolic choice for marking the beginning of the civil and political year.

A Global Transition

The adoption of January 1 as New Year’s Day wasn’t immediate across the world. Many cultures and regions followed their own calendars, with the start of the year occurring at different times. For instance, medieval Europe often observed New Year’s Day on March 25 (the Feast of the Annunciation) or December 25 (Christmas). It wasn’t until the implementation of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII, that January 1 was universally recognized as the start of the year in much of the Western world.

Today, January’s position as the first month of the year is so ingrained that it’s hard to imagine it being otherwise. It represents a time of fresh starts, resolutions, and setting intentions. The symbolism of Janus continues to resonate, reminding us to balance reflection on the past with anticipation for the future.

Whether we celebrate with fireworks, quiet reflection, or goal-setting, January offers a unique opportunity to embrace change and growth. Its roots in mythology and history give it a timeless relevance, making it more than just a name on a calendar but a symbol of transition and hope.

Opinions on January

I happen to love January. I am the person who sees it as the ultimate reset. It is a time to clean up from the chaos of the holiday season, and set fresh goals for the new year. Not everyone sees January the way I do, however. Some people see it as cold, dreary, and a letdown after the holidays, especially in regions with harsh winters.

In fact, January often ranks low in popularity among the months. A YouGov survey found that only 3% of respondents named January as their favorite month, while 26% considered it their least favorite. Similarly, a survey by The Washington Post placed January near the bottom, with May being the most favored month.

What about you? Where do you rank January in your list of favorite months, or time of the year? Do you have any special traditions or routines you do in January that you don’t do any other time of the year? Share in the comments below so we can learn from each other and keep the conversation going.

Happy New Year!