What are the Hebrew months

It is Rosh HaShanah ,the head of the year or technically the head of the Jewish civil year ,the religious year starts with Nisan in the spring and for this reason sometimes called aviv(spring).We will talk about the and their meanings and I’m trying to research the month names pre Babylonian exile so don’t be surprised if the holiday is over before I formally publish this blog.

Nisan נִיסָן

The Hebrew calender names came from the Babylonian exile and the name nisan may have came from ancient Sumerian meaning first fruit or spring.

I’yar אִייָר

Also known as Ziv in pre Babylonian times was taken from the Babylonian Ayaru meaning blossom.

Sivan סִיוָן 

In Babylon it meant season or time

Tamuz תַּמּוּז 

Was named for an ancient Assyrian/Babylonian diety Damuzi

Av אָב‎

Meaning father and is known for the tish of Av or 9th of Av the date of both temple destructions.

Elul אֱלוּל

The 12th month of the civil year and the name likely meant harvest in ancient Akkadian.

Tishrei תִּשׁרִי

The 7th religious month but the first civil month and month of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.Tishrei (also known as Ethanim) may have meant begining in Akkadian.This month is middle september through mid october and the other months follow suite accordingly

Marcheshvan מַרְחֶשְׁוָן (also Bul)

No known meaning on this one and in a rarity has no holidays

Kisleiv כִּסְלֵו

It’s meaning is debated but could related to be thick or congealed but could also relate to foolishness or stupidity.No one really knows but it’s the Chanukhah begins.

Teiveit טֵבֵת 

Meaning unknown ,ends Chanukhah

Sh’vat שְׁבָט

The may have origin in Akkadian and it being a rainy month

Adar אֲדָר

This is not known for sure Adar does have an Babylonian origin ,it could be Cloaked or mystery or could be from Adaru ,from naru meaning river.There is also an “Adar II” used only in leap years ,there are 7 leap months in 19 year cycle ,so 1 extra Adar every 2-3 years.

This practice was not universal but observed by some,before it was known about leap years and the mathematics of it all .There was a tradition that if the barley was not ripe by the first of Nisan ,they added an extra Adar before begining Nisan.

After some research I have found no names of months pre Babylonian exile accept for the four already mentioned.