Why do the Spanish month names Octubre, Noviembre, and Diciembre not correspond to their numerical positions in the modern calendar?

Because the early Roman calendar began in March, so these were originally months eight, nine, and ten.

Due to translation errors across centuries.

Because of leap year adjustments over time.

Because they were renamed by medieval scholars.

Months of the Year in Spanish Quiz

This Spanish months quiz helps you learn and recall all 12 month names, so you can say dates and plan timelines in Spanish. For more practice, build core vocab with our spanish vocabulary quiz, check noun gender with el vs la practice, and review pronouns and the verb ser in Spanish subject pronouns practice.

Study Outcomes

Recall Spanish Month Names -
Memorize and list all twelve months of the year in Spanish to strengthen your foundational vocabulary.
Match English and Spanish Months -
Accurately pair each English month with its Spanish equivalent to reinforce your understanding of month names in Spanish language.
Spell and Pronounce Month Names -
Practice correct spelling and pronunciation of Spanish month names for confident use in conversation.
Use Month Names in Context -
Apply Spanish month names in simple sentences related to dates and events to enhance practical communication skills.
Differentiate Similar Month Names -
Identify and distinguish months with similar spellings or pronunciations in Spanish to avoid common mistakes.
Self-Assess Your Proficiency -
Measure your mastery of the months of the year in Spanish through instant quiz feedback and track your progress.

Cheat Sheet

Spelling and Accent Rules for Spanish Months -
Each month name in Spanish is written in lowercase (unless starting a sentence) and follows specific accent patterns governed by the Real Academia Española. For example, febrero has no written accent but is pronounced fe-BRUE-ro. A handy trick is to syllabify fe-bre-ro and emphasize the middle syllable.
Gender and Prepositions with Month Names -
In Spanish, all month names are masculine, so use el mes de or en el mes de when talking about dates or events. For example, en el mes de mayo celebramos el Día de la Madre. According to Instituto Cervantes guidelines, this ensures grammatically correct expressions.
Pronunciation and Stress Patterns -
Most Spanish month names follow the rule that words ending in a vowel, n, or s are stressed on the penultimate syllable, as in DICI-em-bre. No written accent is needed because each name complies with standard stress rules. Practice by pronouncing each syllable slowly to internalize natural intonation.
Memorization Mnemonic: EFMAMJJASOND -
Create a memory acronym using the initial letters of each month in order: EFMAMJJASOND (enero, febrero, marzo, abril, mayo, junio, julio, agosto, septiembre, octubre, noviembre, diciembre). This sequence is widely taught in university language courses to boost recall. Try adding a playful phrase like "Every Friendly Monkey Acts Merry, Joining Jumping Apples, Sipping Oranges, Nibbling Dates" for vivid imagery.
Spanish Date Formatting -
When writing dates, Spanish uses the structure día + de + mes + de + año, for instance 15 de agosto de 2021. This format is standardized by the Real Academia Española and appears in official documents and everyday conversation. Using de between elements helps learners link words smoothly and naturally.