Native American Moon Names
With 576 federally recognized tribes, Native Hawaiians and even more state-recognized tribes throughout the country there is a nearly limitless supply of moon names. Here are just a few:
Please note, the months below are rough approximations of when each moon will appear. The concept of months only occurred post-colonization and most of these tribal translations pre-date colonization and generally reflect the seasonality of lunar phases. Moon phases, in fact, were used as measurements of time.
Also, in the Mahican Dialect, ʔ signifies a glottal stop and ã is nasal tone, similar to the French aaaw.
January
| Great Spirit Moon | Gichimanidoo-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Start of the Winter Moon | Maajii-bibooni-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| New Winter Moon | Oshki-bibooni-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Ice Moon | Muhe Nuti (moo-hay noong-tee) | Catawba Language, Catawba Indian Nation, South Carolina |
| Windy Month | Dunolvtanv | Cherokee, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina |
| Winter Moon | Ukiuq | Inupiat Language, North Slope, Alaska |
| Cracking Tree Moon | Putheʔnaawe Mtokw Neepãʔuk | Mahican Dialect, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Wisconsin |
| Someone’s Ears are Freezing Moon | Teyakohuhtya’ks | Oneida |
| Waning Moon | Tahch’awɛka | Tunica, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana |
| Nisgówakneh | Seneca |
February
| Namebini-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) | |
| Eagle Moon | Migizi-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| When the Bear Cubs are Born Moon | Makoonsag-gaa-nitaawaadi-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| First Flower Moon | Siwekure Araskehe Nuti (sihway-koo-ray ah-rahs-kay-hay noong-tee) | Catawba Language, Catawba Indian Nation, South Carolina |
| Hungry Month | Kagali | Cherokee, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina |
| Deep Snow Moon | Muxaʔtaawe Osãane Neepãʔuk | Mahican Dialect, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Wisconsin |
| Midwinter Moon | Tsha’tekohselha | Oneida |
| Little Sister of the Waning Moon | Tahch’awɛka Tehekuma | Tunica, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana |
| Nis’ah | Seneca |
March
| Hard Crust on the Snow Moon | Onaabani-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Snowshoe Breaking Moon | Bebookwedaagime-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Crow Moon | Aandego-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Goose Moon | Nika-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Sugar Making Moon | Ziinsibaakwadooke-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Wind Moon | Hiiye Nuti (hee-yay noong-tee) | Catawba Language, Catawba Indian Nation, South Carolina |
| Strawberry/First Leaves Month | Anvyi | Cherokee, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina |
| Spring Moon | Upinagasraq | Inupiat Language, North Slope, Alaska |
| Crow Moon | Kãʔkãʔkoowe Neepãʔuk | Mahican Dialect, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Wisconsin |
| The Day is Cut in Two Moon | Tewehnislya’ks | Oneida |
| Hackberry Month | Komelitahch’a | Tunica, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana |
| Niyó’not’à:h | Seneca |
April
| Sugarbushing Moon | Iskigamizige-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Frog Moon | Omakakiiwi-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Snowshoe Breaking Moon | Bobookwedaagime-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Loon Moon | Maango-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Bear a Child Moon | YitAruwakrere Nuti (ying-taroo-wah-kray-ray noong-tee) | Catawba Language, Catawba Indian Nation, South Carolina |
| Duck/Bird Month | kawonuhi | Cherokee, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina |
| Grass & Geese Moon | Othkeethkwun wãak Pkwaaxowãpthowuk Neepãʔuk | Mahican Dialect, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Wisconsin |
| It’s Thundering Moon | Wasakayutese | Oneida |
| Planting Moon | Tahch’atapa | Tunica, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana |
| O’nót’ah | Seneca |
May
| Budding Moon | Zaagibagaa-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Flowering Moon | Waabigoni-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Flowering Moon | Waswwgone-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Snake Moon | Ya? Nuti (ya(q) noong-tee) | Catawba Language, Catawba Indian Nation, South Carolina |
| Planting Month | anisgvti | Cherokee, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina |
| Summer Moon | Upinagaaq | Inupiat Language, North Slope, Alaska |
| Planting Moon | Aʔkeʔaat Neepãʔuk | Mahican Dialect, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Wisconsin |
| They Plant Moon | Latiy^thos | Oneida |
| Dancing Moon | Tahch’ahipu | Tunica, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana |
| Ganö́’gat | Seneca |
June
| Strawberry Moon | Odemiini-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Gardening Moon | Gitige-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Flowering Moon | Waawano-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| River Moon | Iswa Nuti (ees-wong noong-tee) | Catawba Language, Catawba Indian Nation, South Carolina |
| They Are Arriving/Plants in Garden are Sprouting Month | dehaluyi | Cherokee, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina |
| Moon of Birthing | Ignivik | Inupiat Language, North Slope, Alaska |
| Strawberry Moon | Otaʔeemeene Neepãuk | Mahican Dialect, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Wisconsin |
| Strawberry Moon | Aw^hihte | Oneida |
| Summer Moon | Tihikatahch’a | Tunica, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana |
| Yáikneh | Seneca |
July
| Halfway Sumer Moon | Abitaa-niibini-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Blueberry Moon | Miini-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Raspberry Moon | Miskomini-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Flying Moon | Baashkawe’o-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Thunderstorm Moon | Hiyeswa Tiriri Nuti (hihyay-swong tihrihrih noong-tee) | Catawba Language, Catawba Indian Nation, South Carolina |
| Corn in Tassel Month | guyegwoni | Cherokee, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina |
| Honey Bee Moon | Ãamowaawe Neepãʔuk | Mahican Dialect, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Wisconsin |
| String Bean Moon | Ohyotsheli | Oneida |
| Little Sister of the Summer Moon | Tihikatahch’a Tehekuma | Tunica, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana |
| Sáísgekneh | Seneca |
August
| Ricing Moon | Manoominike-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Blackberry Moon | Odatagaagomini giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Flying Moon | Basikwa’o giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Dry Moon | Yiraha? Nuti (yihrah-hah(q) noong-tee) | Catawba Language, Catawba Indian Nation, South Carolina |
| End of Fruit Month | galoni | Cherokee, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina |
| Corn Moon | Skumoone Neepãʔuk | Mahican Dialect, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Wisconsin |
| New or Fresh Corn Moon | On^tase | Oneida |
| Hot Moon | Tahch’aruwina | Tunica, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana |
| Gëdë́’ökneh | Seneca |
September
| Leaves Turning Moon | Waatebagaa-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Corn Moon | Mandaamini giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Moose Moon | Moozo giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Gourd Moon | Wade Nuti (wah-day noong-tee) | Catawba Language, Catawba Indian Nation, South Carolina |
| Nut Month | dulisdini | Cherokee, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina |
| Fall Moon | Ukiuqsraq | Inupiat Language, North Slope, Alaska |
| Falling Leaf Moon | Poneʔna-wueepukw Neepaʔuk | Mahican Dialect, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Wisconsin |
| Someone Harvests Moon | Yey^thokwas | Oneida |
| Little Sister of the Hot Moon | Tahch’aruwina Tehekuma | Tunica, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana |
| Hayë́:neah | Seneca |
October
| Falling Leaves Moon | Binaakwe-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Harvest Moon (gather) | Atkuwa Nuti (aht-koo-wah noong-tee) | Catawba Language, Catawba Indian Nation, South Carolina |
| Harvest Month | duninvdi | Cherokee, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina |
| Someone Stores Food Moon | Yutekhway^he | Oneida |
| Hunting Moon | Paʔpeepmãat Neepãʔuk | Mahican Dialect, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Wisconsin |
| Hunting Moon | Tahch’awɛra | Tunica, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana |
| Gä́nohdo’k’ah | Seneca |
November
| Freezing Over Moon | Gashkadino-Giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Whitefish Moon | Adikomemi-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| They Give Thanks Moon | Tehut^nuhelatuhe | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Leaf Fall Moon | Yapa Huktugere Nuti (yah-pah hook-too-gay-ray noong-tee) | Catawba Language, Catawba Indian Nation, South Carolina |
| Hunter Month | nvdadegwa | Cherokee, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina |
| First Snow Moon | Sãapeewe Osãane Neepãʔuk | Mahican Dialect, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Wisconsin |
| Little Winter Moon | Tahch’asap’aratohku | Tunica, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana |
| Gahsá’kneh | Seneca |
December
| Little Spirit Moon | Manidoo-Giizisoons | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Big Winter Moon | Gichi-bibooni-giizis | Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) |
| Storytelling Moon (I will tell you) | Hiinaiwi Nuti (hee-ee-nah-ihwih noong-tee) | Catawba Language, Catawba Indian Nation, South Carolina |
| Snow Month | vsgiyi | Cherokee, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina |
| Dead of Winter Moon | Ukiugraq | Inupiat Language, North Slope, Alaska |
| Long Night Moon | Kwne tpoʔkut Neepãʔk | Mahican Dialect, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Wisconsin |
| It’s a Long Night Moon | Wahsutes | Oneida |
| Winter Moon | Tahch’asap’ara | Tunica, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana |
| Joto:h | Seneca |
Moon Translations
| Moon | Muha | Northern Paiute, Nevada |
Content, Corrections and Additions
The words and phrases in this post were provided by members of the various tribes listed and we offer our deepest thanks for all who assisted us with this story, with a special shout out to Gerry J. at Seneca Nation of Indians for going above and beyond.
Spellings and translations may vary. Some words may be missing accents or symbols due to limited keyboard characters.
We’re happy to add additional languages and/or hear suggestions on spelling and translation corrections.
Please free to contact us at info@aianta.org to help us keep this page accurate.
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
Native American Agriculture Fund
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Bureau of Land Management
National Endowment of the Arts
National Park Service
United States Forest Service
