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Week Names: The concept of time has always been an important part of human life. To measure and organize time, different civilizations developed various systems, and one of the most widely accepted is the seven-day week cycle. The Week Names we use today—Monday to Sunday—help structure our daily routines, work schedules, and personal activities.
In many cultures, the 7 days of the week have specific meanings and origins. The names of the days are influenced by history, religion, and astrology. For example, in English, the week names are derived from planetary and mythological influences, while in Hindi, they are based on celestial bodies. Learning the week name in Hindi and the week name in English gives us an understanding of how different cultures interpret time.
Each week day’s name carries its own significance. Monday marks the beginning of the workweek, while Sunday is often considered a day of rest. Productivity is usually high from Monday to midweek, while the excitement for the weekend builds by Thursday and Friday. This cycle helps people balance their work and personal lives effectively.
Beyond daily life, the week days meaning holds cultural and religious importance. Many traditions, holidays, and rituals are based on specific days of the week. Additionally, just like the month name in English, the days of the week have their own historical backgrounds and linguistic evolution.
In this article, we will explore the week names, their origins, meanings in different languages, and interesting facts about how people across the world follow and celebrate their weekly cycles.
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Week Names in English
In the English language, the names of the seven days in a week are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. These names are believed to have originated from a combination of ancient Roman and Norse traditions.
Sunday refers to the “sun’s day,” Monday comes from the Old English term “Monandæg,” meaning “moon’s day,” while Tuesday is derived from “Tiw’s day,” honoring the Norse god of war. Wednesday is named after the Norse god Odin, known as “Woden” in Old English, and Thursday is dedicated to the Norse god Thor. Friday is derived from “Frigg’s day,” named after the Norse goddess of love, and Saturday takes its name from the Roman god Saturn.
Week Names in English |
SUNDAY |
MONDAY |
TUESDAY |
WEDNESDAY |
THRUSDAY |
FRIDAY |
SATURDAY |
Week Names in Hindi
The week meaning in Hindi is primarily translated as सप्ताह (saptah) or हफ्ता (hafta).
Here are the 2 meaning of week in Hindi
- सप्ताह (saptah) – a standard term for a week.
- हफ्ता (hafta) – another colloquial term for a week.
Week names in Hindi are influenced by the Sanskrit language. The seven-day cycle in Hindi begins with Ravivar (Sunday), followed by Somvar (Monday), Mangalvar (Tuesday), Budhvar (Wednesday), Guruvar (Thursday), Shukravar (Friday), and Shanivar (Saturday). These names are based on the celestial bodies associated with each day, such as the sun, moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, respectively.
Week Names in Hindi |
रविवार |
सोमवार |
मंगलवार |
बुधवार |
गुरूवार/बृहस्पतिवार |
शुक्रवार |
शनिवार |
Valentine’s Week Days Name
Valentine’s Week, celebrated in the month of February, holds special significance for couples around the world. Each day of this week leading up to Valentine’s Day has a unique name and significance. The week starts with Rose Day on February 7th, followed by Propose Day, Chocolate Day, Teddy Day, Promise Day, Hug Day, Kiss Day, and finally, Valentine’s Day itself on February 14th. These days provide an opportunity for individuals to express their love and affection towards their partners through various gestures and gifts.
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Week Names in Hindi and English
The week names in Hindi and English have both similarities and differences. While some names are directly translated, others have distinct origins and cultural influences. In Hindi, Ravivar corresponds to Sunday, Somvar to Monday, and so on. However, some names like Mangalvar (Tuesday) and Budhvar (Wednesday) have specific associations with celestial bodies that differ from their English counterparts. Despite these differences, the seven-day cycle remains consistent across both languages.
Week Name in English | Week Name in Hindi | Abbreviation |
SUNDAY | रविवार | Sun |
MONDAY | सोमवार | Mon |
TUESDAY | मंगलवार | Tue |
WEDNESDAY | बुधवार | Wed |
THURSDAY | गुरूवार/बृहस्पतिवार | Thur |
FRIDAY | शुक्रवार | Fri |
SATURDAY | शनिवार | Sat |
Week Names in Sanskrit
Below are the week name in Sanskrit:
- रविवारः (Ravivāraḥ) – Sunday
- सोमवारः (Somavāraḥ) – Monday
- मङ्गलवारः (Maṅgalavāraḥ) – Tuesday
- बुधवारः (Budhavāraḥ) – Wednesday
- गुरुवारः (Guruvāraḥ) – Thursday
- शुक्रवारः (Śukravāraḥ) – Friday
- शनिवारः (Śanivāraḥ) – Saturday
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Week Names in French
In the French language, the names of the week days are as follows: Dimanche (Sunday), Lundi (Monday), Mardi (Tuesday), Mercredi (Wednesday), Jeudi (Thursday), Vendredi (Friday), and Samedi (Saturday). The French week names, like those in English, have both Roman and Norse origins. For example, Dimanche comes from the Latin term “dies Dominica,” meaning “the Lord’s day,” while Mardi is derived from the Latin “Martis dies,” honoring the Roman god Mars.
All Week Names
To recap, here is a comprehensive list of the seven-day week names in English, Hindi, and French:
- English: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
- Hindi: Ravivar, Somvar, Mangalvar, Budhvar, Guruvar, Shukravar, Shanivar.
- French: Dimanche, Lundi, Mardi, Mercredi, Jeudi, Vendredi, Samedi.
Week Names in Urdu
In Urdu, the week names are similar to those in Hindi. The days are referred to as:
- Itwar (Sunday)
- Peer (Monday)
- Mangal (Tuesday)
- Budh (Wednesday)
- Jumeraat (Thursday)
- Jumma (Friday)
- Hafta (Saturday)
Also read: Days, Weeks, Months and Years
Etymology of Week Names in English
The English names for the days of the week are a fusion of ancient Roman, Norse, and Germanic influences. The days are derived from celestial bodies and deities from mythology. Below is a breakdown of their origins:
English Name | Etymology (Origin) | Mythological or Celestial Reference |
Sunday | Old English “Sunnandæg” | Named after the Sun (Sol) |
Monday | Old English “Monandæg” | Named after the Moon (Mani) |
Tuesday | Old English “Tiwesdæg” | Named after Tiw (Tyr), the Norse god of war |
Wednesday | Old English “Wodnesdæg” | Named after Woden (Odin), chief Norse god |
Thursday | Old English “Þeunresdæg” | Named after Thor, Norse god of thunder |
Friday | Old English “Frīdæg” | Named after Frigg, Norse goddess of love |
Saturday | Old English “Sæternesdæg” | Named after the Roman god Saturn |
Week Names Across Languages
Week names vary significantly across languages, often reflecting cultural influences, religious significance, and astronomical associations.
Language | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
Hindi | रविवार (Ravivar) | सोमवार (Somvar) | मंगलवार (Mangalvar) | बुधवार (Budhvar) | गुरूवार (Guruvar) | शुक्रवार (Shukravar) | शनिवार (Shanivar) |
French | Dimanche | Lundi | Mardi | Mercredi | Jeudi | Vendredi | Samedi |
Urdu | Itwar | Peer | Mangal | Budh | Jumeraat | Jumma | Hafta |
Sanskrit | रविवार: (Ravivāraḥ) | सोमवार: (Somavāraḥ) | मङ्गलवार: (Maṁgalavāraḥ) | बुधवार: (Budhavāraḥ) | गुरुवार: (Guruvāraḥ) | शुक्रवार: (Shukravāraḥ) | शनिवार: (Shanivāraḥ) |
Fictional Calendar Week Names in English
Many fictional universes have unique week names that differ from the traditional seven-day cycle. For instance:
- Middle-earth (J.R.R. Tolkien): Sterday, Sunday, Monday, Trewsday, Hevensday, Mersday, Highday.
- Star Wars Galaxy: Primeday, Centaxday, Taungsday, Zhellday, Benduday.
- Discworld (Terry Pratchett): Firstday, Secondday, Thirdday, Fourthday, Fifthday, Sixthday, Seventhday.
Numerical Week Names in Different Cultures
Some cultures use numerical references instead of names for the days:
- China & Japan: Monday is literally translated as “Day One of the Week” (Chinese: 星期一, Japanese: 月曜日).
- Portugal: Second Feira (Monday), Third Feira (Tuesday), and so on.
- Hebrew Calendar: Yom Rishon (First Day), Yom Sheni (Second Day), etc.
Teaching Week Names in English and Hindi
Understanding week names is essential for early education. Some methods include:
- Songs for Children: “The Days of the Week” song helps kids remember sequence.
- Flashcards & Games: Engaging activities enhance retention.
- Hindi-English Comparison Charts: Helps bilingual learners grasp week names.
Cultural Significance of Week Names in English
Week names influence cultural and religious practices:
- Sunday: Traditionally a rest and worship day in Christianity.
- Friday: Sacred for Muslims, often observed as a day of communal prayer.
- Saturday: The Jewish Sabbath, observed from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.
- Monday: Often considered the start of the workweek, associated with motivation or fatigue (“Monday Blues”).
Personal Names Derived from Week Names in English
Some cultures name children based on the day of birth:
- Kofi Annan (Ghanaian): Named after “Kofi,” meaning “Friday-born.”
- Kwame (Ghanaian): A name given to males born on Saturday.
- Sunday (English): Occasionally used as a given name, e.g., “Sunday Rose.”
Conclusion
Week names, though common worldwide, hold deep historical, cultural, and linguistic significance. From their mythological roots to modern educational tools, they continue to shape how societies structure time. Whether through traditional names, numerical adaptations, or fictional recreations, the seven-day week remains an integral part of human civilization.
Week Names FAQs
What are the 7 days week names?
The seven-day week names in English are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
What is the name of week in English?
The name of the week in English is week.
What are the names of the days of the week?
The names of the days of the week are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
What are the 7 days named after?
The names of the days of the week have various origins. In English, some names are derived from celestial bodies and gods/goddesses from Roman and Norse mythology. For example, Sunday is named after the Sun, Monday after the Moon, Tuesday after the Norse god Tyr, Wednesday after the Norse god Odin, Thursday after the Norse god Thor, Friday after the Norse goddess Frigg, and Saturday after the Roman god Saturn.
Why are there 7 days in a week?
The seven-day week has ancient roots and has been influenced by various civilizations and cultures throughout history. The origins of the seven-day week can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia, where the Babylonians associated each day with one of the celestial bodies they observed. This seven-day week spread to different cultures and was eventually adopted by the Roman Empire.
Who gave 7 days a week?
The seven-day week was not invented or given by a single individual. It evolved over time based on various cultural, religious, and astronomical influences. Different civilizations and cultures contributed to the development and acceptance of the seven-day week as a standard measure of time.
Why 5 days a week?
The concept of a five-day workweek (typically Monday to Friday) has its roots in labor movements and the industrial revolution. The idea gained traction in the early 20th century as a way to improve workers' conditions and allow for leisure time and rest. It was gradually adopted by many countries and has become the standard workweek in numerous industries and professions.
What are the names of the working days?
The working days, which are typically regarded as Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, are generally considered the standard days for work in most countries. These days make up the typical workweek, with Saturday and Sunday being reserved as the weekend.