Historical names for January include its original Roman designation, Ianuarius, the Saxon term Wulf-monath (meaning "wolf month") and Charlemagne's designation Wintarmanoth ("winter / cold month"). Beginning in the 16th century, European countries began officially making January 1 the start of the New Year once again-sometimes called Circumcision Style because this was the date of the Feast of the Circumcision, being the seventh day after December 25. However, medieval calendars were still displayed in the Roman fashion with twelve columns from January to December. Various Christian feast dates were used for the New Year in Europe during the Middle Ages, including March 25 ( Feast of the Annunciation) and December 25. In contrast, each specific calendar year was identified by the names of the two consuls, who entered office on May 1 or March 15 until 153 BC, from when they entered office on January 1. Although March was originally the first month in the old Roman calendar, January became the first month of the calendar year either under Numa or under the Decemvirs about 450 BC (Roman writers differ).
Around 713 BC, the semi-mythical successor of Romulus, King Numa Pompilius, is supposed to have added the months of January and February, so that the calendar covered a standard lunar year (354 days). Traditionally, the original Roman calendar consisted of 10 months totaling 304 days, winter being considered a month-less period.
January (in Latin, Ianuarius) is named after Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions in Roman mythology. January, from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry
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