Have you ever thought that April, May & June are the three months after which girls have been named? Why should that be?
My Mother was born on the 12th June. Coincidentally, her mother, my Gran, was born on the 11th (several years earlier, you understand!). Being a parent myself I often wondered what my Gran must have thought about her daughter being born the day after her birthday. I don’t know what the weather was on that day; the joy of bringing someone new into the world, the sun possibly shining and being adjacent to your own birthday requires a name to celebrate.
They called her June.Naming of children after these months was most popular in the 19th and 20th century. June (the name and month) derives from the Roman goddess Juno. Juno was thought to be the protector of childbirth and marriage; a good month for both! The Latin translation of Juno is ‘young’ – jeune in French. So, every time you meet a ‘June’ you must preface your greeting with ‘young’; “hello young June” might be suitable!
In the UK, God gave us June to celebrate! Trees are in full leaf; flowers are blooming and the aroma of mown grass fills the air. As a child, it also heralded that school holidays would soon be with us, despite the fact that we had to wade through exams first.
The cricket season is in full swing, Wimbledon tennis starts at the end of the month, the trooping of the colour takes place, sailing and rowing regattas happen; strawberries and cream are all on the horizon.
What a wonderful time of year to be on God’s earth.
Let’s all celebrate Young June!
