Word Origins & Etymologies: 

Days of the Week


Have you ever wondered about the origin of words?  

Have you ever wondered how the words for days of the week came about? 

English Names for Days of the Week 


The English names for the days of the week have their roots in astrology and ancient cultures. The practice of naming days after heavenly bodies began with the Greeks, and was then adopted by the Romans and Anglo-Saxons. For this reason, the names we are so familiar with draw from Latin and Old English, aligning stars and myths with calendar days. 


The English language days of the week are named after celestial bodies and mythological figures from history. A mish-mash of cultures and traditions have had an influence on the naming of the days and for those of us studying the English language, they provide a fascinating insight into the way that the language is formed. 




English draws upon Ancient Greek, Latin, and Germanic languages, and these influences can all be seen in the names of the days of the week. We use them every day without realizing just how much they tell us about our language and history, and they serve to show us the similarities between English and so many other European languages.

Monday comes from the Old English Monandæg, a combination of mona, meaning “moon”, and dæg, meaning “day.” Most Romance languages use the Latin for “moon” – luna – as in the French lundi and Spanish lunes. The moon has been an important celestial body in many cultures throughout history, and it is no surprise that it was chosen to represent the first day of the week. The moon has been associated with femininity, fertility, and the tides, and it has been worshipped as a deity in many cultures.


Tuesday comes from the Old English Tiwesdæg, meaning “Tyr’s (or Tiw’s/Tew’s Day”), named after the god of war of Norse mythology. Naming the second day of the week after a war god stems from the Romans’ use of Mars for the same day, leading to, among others, the French mardi and Spanish martes. The Norse god Tyr was associated with law and justice, and he was known for his bravery and self-sacrifice. He was also associated with the sky and the stars, making him a fitting choice for the second day of the week.


Wednesday comes from the Old English Wodnesdæg, or “Woden’s (Odin’s) Day”, named after an important Germanic and Scandinavian god. The name of this day, too, is borrowed from the Romans, who used the god Mercury for Wednesday. The French is mercredi and the Spanish is miércoles. Odin was the chief god in Norse mythology, associated with wisdom, war, and death. He was also associated with magic and poetry, making him a complex and fascinating figure in mythology.


Thursday comes from the Old English Þurresdæg, meaning “Thor’s Day” after the Norse god of thunder. The Latin equivalent is named after Jupiter, as in the French jeudi and Spanish jueves. Thor was one of the most popular gods in Norse mythology, associated with thunder, lightning, and storms. He was also known for his strength and courage, and he was worshipped as a protector of mankind.


Friday comes from the Old English Frigedæg, named after the Anglo-Saxon goddess Frigg. It is based on the Roman goddess Venus, and used in French as vendredi and in Spanish as viernes. Frigg was the goddess of love, fertility, and marriage, and she was associated with the sky and the stars. She was also known for her wisdom and her ability to see the future, making her a powerful and respected figure in mythology.


Saturday comes from the Old English Sæterdæg, or “Saturn’s Day,” this is the only day to have retained its Latin origins from the god of agriculture. In French, it is samedi and in Spanish, sábado. Saturn was the Roman god of agriculture, and he was associated with wealth, abundance, and prosperity. He was also known for his wisdom and his ability to see the future, making him a powerful and respected figure in mythology.


Sunday comes from the Old English Sunnandæg, the day of the sun. Most Romance languages have used the Latin for “Lord’s Day”, as in the French dimanche and Spanish domingo. The sun has been an important celestial body in many cultures throughout history, and it is no surprise that it was chosen to represent the last day of the week. The sun has been associated with life, light, and warmth, and it has been worshipped as a deity in many cultures.

The English names for the days of the week have their roots in astrology and ancient cultures. The practice of naming days after heavenly bodies began with the Greeks, and was then adopted by the Romans and Anglo-Saxons. For this reason, the names we are so familiar with draw from Latin and Old English, aligning stars and myths with calendar days. The English language days of the week are named after celestial bodies and mythological figures from history, and they provide a fascinating insight into the way that the language is formed.

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Citations:

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_the_days_of_the_week

[2] https://englishlive.ef.com/blog/language-lab/origins-behind-english-weekday-names/amp/

[3] https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/32293

[4] https://www.almanac.com/origin-day-names

[5] https://altalang.com/beyond-words/days-of-the-week-word-origins/

[6] https://www.livescience.com/45432-days-of-the-week.html