12 Months of the Year: Rules, Origins, Tricks & Quiz

Months of the Year are the 12 parts of the calendar year. Besides remembering their names, it’s important to know how to write them correctly, use them with the right prepositions, and recognize them in everyday English. This guide covers the month names, abbreviations, pronunciation, common usage, and helpful memory tips.

12 Months of the Year

Here is the complete list of the 12 months of the year, along with their common abbreviations and the number of days in each month.

*February has 29 days in a leap year and 28 days in a common year.

How Month Names Are Used in Real English

Month names appear far beyond calendars. You’ll see them in emails, work schedules, travel plans, school assignments, invitations, birthdays, and everyday conversations. Learning these common patterns will help you sound more natural in both speaking and writing.

• Making plans: We’re moving house in April.
• Talking about birthdays: My birthday is in November.
• Discussing deadlines: The report is due by December.
• Planning trips: Flights are usually cheaper in February.
• Talking about seasons: Many flowers bloom in May.

In notes, forms, planners, and calendars, abbreviated month names are also very common.

• Jan. 10
• Feb. 14
• Sept. 5
• Dec. 25

Where the Month Names Come From

Some English month names have fascinating historical origins. Understanding where they come from also explains why a few names seem unusual today.

For example, September sounds like it should be the seventh month because it comes from the Latin word septem, meaning “seven.” However, it is now the ninth month because the ancient Roman calendar originally began with March.

Named after Roman gods and festivals:

• January comes from Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings.
• February is linked to the Roman purification festival called Februa.
• March was named after Mars, the Roman god of war.
• May comes from Maia, while June honors the goddess Juno.

Named after famous leaders:

• July honors Julius Caesar.
• August honors Emperor Augustus Caesar.

Named after Latin numbers:

• September — seven (septem)
• October — eight (octo)
• November — nine (novem)
• December — ten (decem)

Pronunciation Tips for Difficult Month Names

Most month names are easy to pronounce, but a few often cause trouble for English learners. Paying attention to word stress will help you sound more natural.

How to Remember the Number of Days in Each Month

If you sometimes forget which months have 30 days and which have 31, there are two classic memory tricks that English speakers often use.

The Knuckle Rule

Make two fists and look at your knuckles and the spaces between them. Start with January on the first knuckle. Every knuckle represents a month with 31 days, while every space represents a month with 30 days or fewer. Since February falls on a space, it is the shortest month.

The Traditional Rhyme

Thirty days hath September,
April, June, and November;
All the rest have thirty-one,
Except February alone.

Although the wording is old-fashioned, this rhyme is still one of the easiest ways to remember that April, June, September, and November each have 30 days.

Using Prepositions with Months

One of the most common grammar mistakes is choosing the wrong preposition before a month or date. Fortunately, the rules are simple.

Common Mistakes with Months and Dates

• ❌ I was born on July.
  ✅ I was born in July.
• ❌ The meeting is in March 12.
  ✅ The meeting is on March 12.
• ❌ Our vacation starts on August.
  ✅ Our vacation starts in August.
• ❌ The project is due in Friday.
  ✅ The project is due by Friday.

Real-Life Dialogues Using Months

These short conversations show how month names are used naturally in everyday English.

Useful Idioms and Expressions with Months

Some month names appear in well-known English sayings. You may not hear them every day, but they are useful to recognize in books, movies, and conversations.

• April showers bring May flowers – Difficult times are often followed by better ones.
• A cold day in July – Something very unlikely to happen.
• March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb – March often begins with stormy weather and ends more gently.

Practice Quiz

Choose the correct answer for each question.

1. Which preposition is correct?My birthday is ___ October.
   • A. in
   • B. on
2. Which month has 30 days?
   • A. August
   • B. September
3. Which month was named after Julius Caesar?
   • A. July
   • B. June
4. Which abbreviation is correct?
   • A. Dec.
   • B. De.
5. Which sentence is correct?
   • A. The meeting is on August.
   • B. The meeting is in August.
6. How many months are there in a year?
   • A. 10
   • B. 12

Last Updated on July 9, 2026

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