Named for wolves howling in the cold midwinter nights
Also known as: Old Moon, Ice Moon
Names Across Cultures
Celtic / Neo-Pagan
Quiet Moon
Chinese Traditional
正月 (Zhēngyuè) — Primary Month
Hindu (Purnima)
Pausha Purnima (पौष पूर्णिमा) Festival: Shakambhari Purnima
Japanese Traditional
睦月 (Mutsuki) — Month of Affection
Anglo-Saxon
Æftera Geola — After Yule
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
Manidoo-giizis — Spirit Moon
Cree (Ininew)
Kisē-pīsim — Great Moon
Medieval European
Moon After Yule
Named for the typically heavy snowfalls of February
Also known as: Hunger Moon
Names Across Cultures
Celtic / Neo-Pagan
Moon of Ice
Chinese Traditional
杏月 (Xìngyuè) — Apricot Month
Hindu (Purnima)
Magha Purnima (माघ पूर्णिमा) Festival: Sacred bathing at Prayagraj
Japanese Traditional
如月 (Kisaragi) — Month of Changing Clothes
Anglo-Saxon
Solmonath — Month of Cakes
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
Mkwa-giizis — Bear Moon
Cree (Ininew)
Mikisiw-pīsim — Eagle Moon
Medieval European
Storm Moon
Earthworm casts appear as the soil warms in early spring
Also known as: Crow Moon, Sap Moon, Sugar Moon
Names Across Cultures
Celtic / Neo-Pagan
Moon of Winds
Chinese Traditional
桃月 (Táoyuè) — Peach Month
Hindu (Purnima)
Phalguna Purnima (फाल्गुन पूर्णिमा) Festival: Holi
Japanese Traditional
弥生 (Yayoi) — Ever Growing
Anglo-Saxon
Hrethmonath — Month of the Goddess Hretha
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
Ziizbaakdoke-giizis — Sugar Moon
Cree (Ininew)
Niska-pīsim — Goose Moon
Medieval European
Chaste Moon
Named for moss pink (wild ground phlox), one of the earliest spring wildflowers
Also known as: Egg Moon, Fish Moon
Names Across Cultures
Celtic / Neo-Pagan
Growing Moon
Chinese Traditional
梅月 (Méiyuè) — Plum Month
Hindu (Purnima)
Chaitra Purnima (चैत्र पूर्णिमा) Festival: Hanuman Jayanti
Japanese Traditional
卯月 (Uzuki) — Deutzia Month
Anglo-Saxon
Eosturmonath — Month of the Goddess Eostre
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
Iskigamizige-giizis — Boiling Sap Moon
Cree (Ininew)
Ayīki-pīsim — Frog Moon
Medieval European
Seed Moon
Abundant spring flower blooms across meadows and woodlands
Also known as: Planting Moon, Milk Moon, Corn Planting Moon
Names Across Cultures
Celtic / Neo-Pagan
Bright Moon
Chinese Traditional
榴月 (Liúyuè) — Pomegranate Month
Hindu (Purnima)
Vaishakha Purnima (वैशाख पूर्णिमा) Festival: Buddha Purnima
Japanese Traditional
皐月 (Satsuki) — Rice-Planting Month
Anglo-Saxon
Thrimilce — Three Milkings
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
Waawaaskone-giizis — Flower Moon
Cree (Ininew)
Sākipakāwi-pīsim — Budding Moon
Medieval European
Hare Moon
Micromoon Blue Moon
Abundant spring flower blooms across meadows and woodlands
Also known as: Planting Moon, Milk Moon, Corn Planting Moon
Names Across Cultures
Celtic / Neo-Pagan
Bright Moon
Chinese Traditional
榴月 (Liúyuè) — Pomegranate Month
Hindu (Purnima)
Vaishakha Purnima (वैशाख पूर्णिमा) Festival: Buddha Purnima
Japanese Traditional
皐月 (Satsuki) — Rice-Planting Month
Anglo-Saxon
Thrimilce — Three Milkings
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
Waawaaskone-giizis — Flower Moon
Cree (Ininew)
Sākipakāwi-pīsim — Budding Moon
Medieval European
Hare Moon
Micromoon
Peak of the strawberry harvesting season
Names Across Cultures
Celtic / Neo-Pagan
Moon of Horses
Chinese Traditional
荷月 (Héyuè) — Lotus Month
Hindu (Purnima)
Jyeshtha Purnima (ज्येष्ठ पूर्णिमा) Festival: Vat Purnima
Japanese Traditional
水無月 (Minazuki) — Month of Water
Anglo-Saxon
Ærra Litha — Before Midsummer
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
Ode'imini-giizis — Strawberry Moon
Cree (Ininew)
Opāskāwēwi-pīsim — Hatching Moon
Medieval European
Dyan Moon
Male deer (bucks) begin growing new antlers in velvet
Also known as: Thunder Moon, Hay Moon
Names Across Cultures
Celtic / Neo-Pagan
Moon of Claiming
Chinese Traditional
兰月 (Lányuè) — Orchid Month
Hindu (Purnima)
Ashadha Purnima (आषाढ़ पूर्णिमा) Festival: Guru Purnima
Japanese Traditional
文月 (Fumizuki) — Month of Literature
Anglo-Saxon
Æftera Litha — After Midsummer
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
Miin-giizis — Blueberry Moon
Cree (Ininew)
Paskowi-pīsim — Moulting Moon
Medieval European
Mead Moon
Large sturgeon were most readily caught in the Great Lakes
Also known as: Green Corn Moon, Grain Moon
Names Across Cultures
Celtic / Neo-Pagan
Dispute Moon
Chinese Traditional
桂月 (Guìyuè) — Osmanthus Month
Hindu (Purnima)
Shravana Purnima (श्रावण पूर्णिमा) Festival: Raksha Bandhan
Japanese Traditional
葉月 (Hazuki) — Leaf Month
Anglo-Saxon
Weodmonath — Plant Month
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
Manoominike-giizis — Ricing Moon
Cree (Ininew)
Ohpahowi-pīsim — Flying Up Moon
Medieval European
Corn Moon
Harvest Moon
Corn harvest season; also used when Harvest Moon falls in October
Also known as: Barley Moon
Names Across Cultures
Celtic / Neo-Pagan
Singing Moon
Chinese Traditional
菊月 (Júyuè) — Chrysanthemum Month
Hindu (Purnima)
Bhadrapada Purnima (भाद्रपद पूर्णिमा) Festival: Madhu Purnima
Japanese Traditional
長月 (Nagatsuki) — Long Month
Anglo-Saxon
Halegmonath — Holy Month
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
Waatebagaa-giizis — Leaves Turning Moon
Cree (Ininew)
Nōcihito-pīsim — Mating Moon
Medieval European
Barley Moon
Preferred hunting time — fields cleared after harvest expose prey
Also known as: Falling Leaves Moon
Names Across Cultures
Celtic / Neo-Pagan
Harvest Moon
Chinese Traditional
良月 (Liángyuè) — Auspicious Month
Hindu (Purnima)
Ashvina Purnima (आश्विन पूर्णिमा) Festival: Sharad Purnima
Japanese Traditional
神無月 (Kannazuki) — Month Without Gods
Anglo-Saxon
Winterfylleth — Winter Full Moon
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
Binaakwe-giizis — Falling Leaves Moon
Cree (Ininew)
Kaskatinowi-pīsim — Freezing Up Moon
Medieval European
Blood Moon
Time to set beaver traps before swamps freeze for winter
Also known as: Frost Moon, Freezing Moon
Names Across Cultures
Celtic / Neo-Pagan
Dark Moon
Chinese Traditional
葭月 (Jiāyuè) — Reed Month
Hindu (Purnima)
Kartika Purnima (कार्तिक पूर्णिमा) Festival: Dev Diwali
Japanese Traditional
霜月 (Shimotsuki) — Frost Month
Anglo-Saxon
Blotmonath — Blood Month — livestock sacrifice
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
Gashkadino-giizis — Freezing Over Moon
Cree (Ininew)
Thīkipiwi-pīsim — Ice-Forming Moon
Medieval European
Snow Moon
Supermoon
Onset of deep winter cold near the solstice
Also known as: Long Night Moon
Names Across Cultures
Celtic / Neo-Pagan
Cold Moon
Chinese Traditional
腊月 (Làyuè) — Sacrificial Month
Hindu (Purnima)
Margashirsha Purnima (मार्गशीर्ष पूर्णिमा) Festival: Dattatreya Jayanti
Japanese Traditional
師走 (Shiwasu) — Teachers Running
Anglo-Saxon
Ærra Geola — Before Yule
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
Gchi-bboon-giizis — Big Winter Moon
Cree (Ininew)
Pawāčakinasīsi-pīsim — Frost Exploding Moon
Medieval European
Oak Moon
Colonial American
Names popularized by The Old Farmer's Almanac, derived from Algonquin and other Native American traditions blended with Colonial American usage. These are the most widely known full moon names in the English-speaking world.
1
Wolf Moon
(Old Moon, Ice Moon)
2
Snow Moon
(Hunger Moon)
3
Worm Moon
(Crow Moon, Sap Moon, Sugar Moon)
4
Pink Moon
(Egg Moon, Fish Moon)
5
Flower Moon
(Planting Moon, Milk Moon, Corn Planting Moon)
6
Strawberry Moon
7
Buck Moon
(Thunder Moon, Hay Moon)
8
Sturgeon Moon
(Green Corn Moon, Grain Moon)
9
Corn Moon
(Barley Moon)
10
Hunter's Moon
(Falling Leaves Moon)
11
Beaver Moon
(Frost Moon, Freezing Moon)
12
Cold Moon
(Long Night Moon)
Celtic / Neo-Pagan
Names from modern Wiccan and Neo-Pagan traditions, attributed to Celtic heritage. Popular in spiritual and nature-based communities across Europe and North America.
1
Quiet Moon
(Ice Moon)
2
Moon of Ice
(Storm Moon)
3
Moon of Winds
(Seed Moon, Death Moon)
4
Growing Moon
(Awakening Moon)
5
Bright Moon
(Grass Moon)
6
Moon of Horses
(Planting Moon, Mead Moon)
7
Moon of Claiming
(Rose Moon)
8
Dispute Moon
(Lightning Moon, Wyrt Moon)
9
Singing Moon
(Wine Moon)
10
Harvest Moon
(Blood Moon, Sanguine Moon)
11
Dark Moon
(Tree Moon, Mourning Moon)
12
Cold Moon
(Oak Moon, Long Night Moon)
Chinese Traditional
Traditional poetic names from the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Each month is named after a flower or natural element that characterizes the season.
Lunar calendar — approximate Gregorian mapping varies by year
1
正月 (Zhēngyuè)
Primary Month
2
杏月 (Xìngyuè)
Apricot Month
3
桃月 (Táoyuè)
Peach Month
4
梅月 (Méiyuè)
Plum Month
5
榴月 (Liúyuè)
Pomegranate Month
6
荷月 (Héyuè)
Lotus Month
7
兰月 (Lányuè)
Orchid Month
8
桂月 (Guìyuè)
Osmanthus Month
9
菊月 (Júyuè)
Chrysanthemum Month
10
良月 (Liángyuè)
Auspicious Month
11
葭月 (Jiāyuè)
Reed Month
12
腊月 (Làyuè)
Sacrificial Month
Hindu (Purnima)
Each full moon (Purnima) in the Hindu lunisolar calendar is named after its lunar month and associated with a major festival or sacred observance.
Lunar calendar — approximate Gregorian mapping varies by year
1
Pausha Purnima (पौष पूर्णिमा)
Shakambhari Purnima
2
Magha Purnima (माघ पूर्णिमा)
Sacred bathing at Prayagraj
3
Phalguna Purnima (फाल्गुन पूर्णिमा)
Holi
4
Chaitra Purnima (चैत्र पूर्णिमा)
Hanuman Jayanti
5
Vaishakha Purnima (वैशाख पूर्णिमा)
Buddha Purnima
6
Jyeshtha Purnima (ज्येष्ठ पूर्णिमा)
Vat Purnima
7
Ashadha Purnima (आषाढ़ पूर्णिमा)
Guru Purnima
8
Shravana Purnima (श्रावण पूर्णिमा)
Raksha Bandhan
9
Bhadrapada Purnima (भाद्रपद पूर्णिमा)
Madhu Purnima
10
Ashvina Purnima (आश्विन पूर्णिमा)
Sharad Purnima
11
Kartika Purnima (कार्तिक पूर्णिमा)
Dev Diwali
12
Margashirsha Purnima (मार्गशीर्ष पूर्णिमा)
Dattatreya Jayanti
Japanese Traditional
The Wafu Getsumei — old Japanese month names from the Heian period, originally based on the lunisolar calendar. Still used in poetry, formal contexts, and cultural references.
Lunar calendar — approximate Gregorian mapping varies by year
1
睦月 (Mutsuki)
Month of Affection
2
如月 (Kisaragi)
Month of Changing Clothes
3
弥生 (Yayoi)
Ever Growing
4
卯月 (Uzuki)
Deutzia Month
5
皐月 (Satsuki)
Rice-Planting Month
6
水無月 (Minazuki)
Month of Water
7
文月 (Fumizuki)
Month of Literature
8
葉月 (Hazuki)
Leaf Month
9
長月 (Nagatsuki)
Long Month
10
神無月 (Kannazuki)
Month Without Gods
11
霜月 (Shimotsuki)
Frost Month
12
師走 (Shiwasu)
Teachers Running
Islamic (Hijri)
The Islamic calendar is purely lunar with no intercalation, so its 12 months rotate through all Gregorian seasons over a ~33-year cycle. Month names are tied to historical and religious significance, not seasons.
Hijri months rotate through the Gregorian year over a ~33-year cycle and do not correspond to fixed seasons
1
Muḥarram (مُحَرَّم)
Forbidden — sacred month
2
Ṣafar (صَفَر)
Empty — homes left empty for travel
3
Rabīʿ al-Awwal (رَبِيع ٱلْأَوَّل)
First Spring
4
Rabīʿ ath-Thānī (رَبِيع ٱلثَّانِي)
Second Spring
5
Jumādā al-Ūlā (جُمَادَىٰ ٱلْأُولَىٰ)
First of Parched Land
6
Jumādā ath-Thāniyah (جُمَادَىٰ ٱلثَّانِيَة)
Second of Parched Land
7
Rajab (رَجَب)
To Respect — sacred month
8
Shaʿbān (شَعْبَان)
Scattered — preparation for Ramadan
9
Ramaḍān (رَمَضَان)
Intense Heat — month of fasting
10
Shawwāl (شَوَّال)
Raised — Eid al-Fitr
11
Dhū al-Qaʿdah (ذُو ٱلْقَعْدَة)
Month of Rest — sacred month
12
Dhū al-Ḥijjah (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة)
Month of Pilgrimage — Hajj
Anglo-Saxon
From the Venerable Bede's De Temporum Ratione (725 AD), the earliest detailed record of the pre-Christian Anglo-Saxon calendar. Notably, Eosturmonath (April) is the origin of the word "Easter."
1
Æftera Geola
After Yule
2
Solmonath
Month of Cakes
3
Hrethmonath
Month of the Goddess Hretha
4
Eosturmonath
Month of the Goddess Eostre
5
Thrimilce
Three Milkings
6
Ærra Litha
Before Midsummer
7
Æftera Litha
After Midsummer
8
Weodmonath
Plant Month
9
Halegmonath
Holy Month
10
Winterfylleth
Winter Full Moon
11
Blotmonath
Blood Month — livestock sacrifice
12
Ærra Geola
Before Yule
Ojibwe (Anishinaabe)
The Ojibwe follow 13 moons, reflecting the 13 scutes on a turtle's shell. Names vary by community and dialect, tied to the natural rhythms of the Great Lakes region.
13-moon tradition — the 13th moon occurs approximately every 3 years
1
Manidoo-giizis
Spirit Moon
2
Mkwa-giizis
Bear Moon
3
Ziizbaakdoke-giizis
Sugar Moon
4
Iskigamizige-giizis
Boiling Sap Moon
5
Waawaaskone-giizis
Flower Moon
6
Ode'imini-giizis
Strawberry Moon
7
Miin-giizis
Blueberry Moon
8
Manoominike-giizis
Ricing Moon
9
Waatebagaa-giizis
Leaves Turning Moon
10
Binaakwe-giizis
Falling Leaves Moon
11
Gashkadino-giizis
Freezing Over Moon
12
Gchi-bboon-giizis
Big Winter Moon
Cree (Ininew)
The Cree 13-moon calendar from northern and central communities. Moon names reflect the animals, weather, and natural cycles observed across the Canadian boreal landscape.
13-moon tradition — the 13th moon occurs approximately every 3 years
1
Kisē-pīsim
Great Moon
2
Mikisiw-pīsim
Eagle Moon
3
Niska-pīsim
Goose Moon
4
Ayīki-pīsim
Frog Moon
5
Sākipakāwi-pīsim
Budding Moon
6
Opāskāwēwi-pīsim
Hatching Moon
7
Paskowi-pīsim
Moulting Moon
8
Ohpahowi-pīsim
Flying Up Moon
9
Nōcihito-pīsim
Mating Moon
10
Kaskatinowi-pīsim
Freezing Up Moon
11
Thīkipiwi-pīsim
Ice-Forming Moon
12
Pawāčakinasīsi-pīsim
Frost Exploding Moon
Medieval European
Historical English and European almanac traditions from the Middle Ages, blending agricultural cycles, Christian liturgical calendar, and pre-Christian influences.
1
Moon After Yule
(Wolf Moon)
2
Storm Moon
(Ice Moon)
3
Chaste Moon
(Lenten Moon)
4
Seed Moon
(Paschal Moon)
5
Hare Moon
(Milk Moon)
6
Dyan Moon
(Mead Moon, Rose Moon)
7
Mead Moon
(Hay Moon)
8
Corn Moon
(Grain Moon)
9
Barley Moon
(Fruit Moon)
10
Blood Moon
(Harvest Moon)
11
Snow Moon
(Frost Moon)
12
Oak Moon
(Yule Moon)
Supermoon
A full moon at or near perigee (closest approach to Earth). Appears up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than an apogee full moon. Occurs 3–4 times per year.
Blue Moon
The second full moon in a single calendar month. Occurs roughly every 2.5 years. The traditional (older) definition is the third full moon in a season with four full moons.
Harvest Moon
The full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. Rises only ~25–30 minutes later each night (vs. the usual ~50 minutes), providing extended evening light for harvesting crops.
Blood Moon
A total lunar eclipse turns the moon coppery red as Earth's atmosphere bends sunlight into the shadow. The same physics that makes sunsets red colors the eclipsed moon.
Micromoon
A full moon at or near apogee (farthest from Earth). Appears noticeably smaller and dimmer than a supermoon — the opposite end of the lunar distance spectrum.
What are full moon names?
Full moon names are traditional names given to each month's full moon by various cultures. The most widely known are Colonial American names derived from Algonquin and other Native American traditions (Wolf Moon, Snow Moon, etc.), but cultures worldwide have their own rich naming traditions.
Why does each full moon have a name?
Before modern calendars, people tracked time by the lunar cycle. Each full moon marked a seasonal milestone — the arrival of wolves, the first snowfall, the strawberry harvest. Naming full moons helped communities anticipate seasonal changes and coordinate activities like planting, hunting, and harvest.
What is the Harvest Moon?
The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox (around September 22). It is unique because it rises only about 25–30 minutes later each night, compared to the usual 50-minute delay. This provided farmers with extended evening light to bring in their crops before winter.
What is a Supermoon?
A Supermoon is a full moon that occurs at or near perigee — the Moon's closest point to Earth in its orbit. It appears up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a full moon at apogee (a Micromoon). Supermoons occur 3 to 4 times per year.
What is a Blue Moon?
A Blue Moon is the second full moon in a single calendar month. This occurs roughly every 2.5 years. The older, traditional definition (from the Maine Farmer's Almanac) defines a Blue Moon as the third full moon in a season that has four full moons.
Do all cultures name their full moons?
Many cultures worldwide have traditions of naming full moons or lunar months. Chinese, Hindu, Japanese, Islamic, Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and numerous Indigenous traditions all have distinct naming systems. Some are tied to the solar calendar (fixed months), while others follow the lunar calendar and shift relative to Gregorian dates each year.