The Full Moon Names for 2026 and Their Meanings

Did you know that each Full Moon of the year has a name? These Full Moon names are seasonal markers that reflect what was happening in nature at that time.

Long before calendars were standardized, communities used natural cycles to help keep track of the passing of time. As a result, many of the monthly Full Moon names we use today come from the names used by Indigenous North Americans, Colonial Americans, and Europeans like the Anglo-Saxons and the Celts.

Different nations and regions have their own naming systems, and many have multiple names for the same moon. The list below represents the most widely recognized ones, along with their origins and the seasonal patterns they reference.

If you’re looking to know when the next full moon is, make sure to check out our Full Moon Calendar for 2026 and 2027.

Full Moon Names

It’s important to note that different Native American nations tracked lunar months in different ways. Some began the month with the Full Moon, while others counted from the New Moon. Full Moon names traditionally referred to the entire lunar month.

For modern witches, the easiest and most accurate way to use Full Moon names is to work with the lunar month and its moon phases, not the calendar month.

From one Full Moon to the next, all moon phases, including the New Moon, carry the energy of that named Full Moon. In practice, this means the energy of June’s Strawberry Moon begins with the Strawberry Moon and continues until the next Full Moon (the Buck Moon).

Each Full Moon has many names, as you’ll see below. Publications like the Maine Farmers’ Almanac and, later, the Old Farmer’s Almanac, helped standardize one popular set of names and spread them into modern folklore.

January: Wolf Moon

The January Full Moon is commonly called the Wolf Moon. The name comes from European and later colonial folklore linking midwinter nights with the sound of wolves howling around settlements. Modern wolf research points out that howling is mostly about territory and social bonding, not a special spike in hunger or activity in January, but the image of wolves calling across frozen landscapes has stuck.

In many traditions, this Full Moon marks deep winter: long nights, cold weather, and a focus on endurance and staying close to home. It’s a natural time for rest, reflection, and consolidating resources. Other themes include beginnings, intuition, and prosperity.

Other names for the January Moon:

• Ice Moon (Catawba)
• Great Spirit Moon (Ojibwe)
• Freeze Up Moon (Algonquin)
• Great Moon (Cree)
• Cracking Tree Moon (Mahican)
• Winter Moon (Cherokee)
• Windy Month (Cherokee)
• Stay Home Moon (Celts)
• Quiet Moon (Celts)
• Moon After Yule (Anglo-Saxon)

February: Snow Moon

The February Full Moon is called the Snow Moon, named for the period of the year that typically brings the heaviest snowfall across much of the Northern Hemisphere. Deep snow, limited mobility, and low supplies made this one of the most challenging times of winter.

Another common name is the Hunger Moon, reflecting the difficulty of finding food in late winter. The themes of this moon center on resilience, transformation, hope, and renewal.

Other names for the February Moon:

• Hungry Moon (Cherokee)
• Eagle Moon (Cree and Ojibwe)
• Racoon Moon (Dakota)
• Bear Moon (Ojibwe)
• Black Bear Moon (Tlingit)
• First Flower Moon (Catawba)
• Deep Snow Moon (Mahican)
• Midwinter Moon (Oneida)
• Ice Moon (Celts)
• Storm Moon (Celts)
• Storm Moon (Anglo-Saxon)

March: Worm Moon

The March Full Moon is commonly called the Worm Moon, marking the point where the ground begins to thaw and earthworms and other life begins to return to the surface. That in turn brings back birds and signals the first real shift into early spring.

As the last Full Moon of winter, many traditions give it names that reference thawing snow, flowing sap, and the start of planting. The energy of it is linked to personal growth, awakening, balance, and new beginnings.

Other names for the March Moon:

• Crow Moon (Mahican and Ojibwe)
• Goose Moon (Ojibwe, Algonquin, Cree)
• Snow Crust Moon (Anishinaabe)
• Sugar Making Moon (Ojibwe)
• Lenten Moon (Anglo-Saxon)
• Snowshoe Breaking Moon (Ojibwe)
• The Day is Cut in Two Moon (Oneida)
• First Leaves Month (Cherokee)
• Wind Moon (Catawba and Celts)
• Plow Moon (Celts)
• Death Moon (Old English)
• Chaste Moon (Old English)

April: Pink Moon

The April Full Moon is most commonly known as the Pink Moon, named not for the color of the Moon itself, but for the early spring bloom of phlox, a pink moss wildflower that appears in parts of North America this time of year. As winter finally releases its grip, the landscape begins to shift toward new growth, migration, and warming temperatures.

In many traditions, the April Moon marks true spring: the return of birds, the first flowers, the beginning of planting in milder climates, and longer days. It’s energy is associated with renewal, rebirth, and emotional blossoming.

Other names for the April Moon:

• Sprouting Grass Moon (Algonquin)
• Breaking Ice Moon (Dakota)
• Budding Moon (Cree)
• Growing Moon (Cree)
• Sugarbushing Moon (Ojibwe)
• Seed Moon (Old English)
• Duck Month (Cherokee)
• Bear a Child Moon (Catawba)
• Frog Moon (Haida and Ojibwe)
• Thundering Moon (Oneida)

May Full Moon: Flower Moon

The May Full Moon is widely known as the Flower Moon, reflecting the explosion of spring blossoms across the Northern Hemisphere. Fields, forests, and gardens enter peak bloom, and this rapid growth made “Flower Moon” an easy seasonal marker in many regions.

This Full Moon traditionally marks the height of mid-spring: fertile soil, reliable warmth, and an abundance of plant life. Many cultures saw this as a time of expansion, tending crops, and celebrating the return of beauty and color after winter. Energetically, it represents growth, abundance, and transformation,

Other names for the May Moon:

• Corn Planting Moon (Algonquin)
• Milk Moon (Old English)
• Hare Moon (Old English)
• Planting Month (Cherokee)
• Panther Moon (Haida)
• Snake Moon (Catawba)
• Dancing Moon (Tunica)
• Joy Moon (Celts)

June Full Moon: Strawberry Moon

The June Full Moon is known as the Strawberry Moon, named for the strawberry harvesting season. Because strawberries ripen quickly and briefly, this moon served as a marker for gathering the first fruit of the year.

Across traditions, the June Moon marks early summer: longer days, warmer nights, and the beginning of the main growing season. It’s associated energetically with love, affection, celebration, and community.

Other names for the June Moon:

• Corn Planting Moon (Algonquin)
• Milk Moon (Old English)
• Hare Moon (Old English)
• Planting Month (Cherokee)
• Panther Moon (Haida)
• Snake Moon (Catawba)
• Dancing Moon (Tunica)
• Joy Moon (Celts)

July Full Moon: Buck Moon

The July Full Moon is commonly called the Buck Moon, referring to the time of year when deer antlers are in rapid growth. The name reflects a visible, seasonal change in midsummer. Across many regions, July brings heat and thunderstorms and is also a popular time for berry gathering. You’ll notice these names reflected in the other moon names for this month.

Energetically, the spiritual meaning of the July moon is linked with determination, progress, and purposeful growth.

Other names for the July Moon:

• Thunder Moon (Western Abenaki)
• Raspberry Moon (Anishinaabe, Algonquin, Ojibwe)
• Berry Moon (Anishinaabe)
• Halfway Summer Moon (Ojibwe)
• Flying Moon (Ojibwe)
• Corn in Tassel Moon (Tlingit and Cherokee)
• Honey Bee Moon (Mahican)
• String Bean Moon (Oneida)
• Little Sister of the Summer Moon (Tunica)
• Hay Moon (Old English)
• Wort Moon (Old English)
• Mead Moon (Old English)
• Midsummer Moon (Celts)

August Full Moon: Sturgeon Moon

The August Full Moon is widely known as the Sturgeon Moon, a name tied to peak sturgeon fishing reported in parts of the Great Lakes and upper Midwest during late summer. The label reflects a regional seasonal marker that later became standardized more broadly.

August is late-summer ripening: grains mature, fields dry, and storms turn more electric. Many traditions use names that point to grain harvests, summer’s heat, and the first hints of the season turning. Spiritually, it’s connected to release, perseverance, strength, and breakthroughs.

Other names for the August Moon:

• Corn Moon (Algonquin and Cree)
• Flying Up Moon (Cree)
• Hot Moon (Tunica)
• Black Cherries Moon (Assiniboine)
• Ricing Moon (Anishinaabe)
• Mountain Shadows Moon (Tlingit)
• Blackberry Moon (Ojibwe)
• Dry Moon (Catawba and Celts)
• Lightning Moon (Old English)
• Fruit Moon (Old English)
• Grain Moon (Old English)
• Lynx Moon (Celts)

September Full Moon: Corn Moon

In most years, the September Full Moon is the Harvest Moon, which is the Full Moon closest to the autumn equinox. When the Harvest Moon falls in October, September is known as the Corn Moon. Either way, both names point to the harvest and moonlit evenings.

It’s a month of gathering, storing, and preparing and the energy of the moon is connected with gratitude, reflection, and introspection.

Other names for the September Moon:

• Leaves Turning Moon (Ojibwe)
• Moose Moon (Ojibwe)
• Falling Leaf Moon (Mahican)
• Gourd Moon (Catawba)
• Someone Harvests Moon (Oneida)
• Little Sister of the Hot Moon (Tunica)
• Autumn Moon (Cree)
• Rutting Moon (Cree)
• Nut Month (Cherokee)
• Barley Moon (Old English)
• Wine Moon (Old English)

September or October Full Moon: Harvest Moon

The Harvest Moon isn’t tied to a specific month. It’s the Full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox (around Sept 22–23). Known to some as Mabon, some years it falls in September, other years in October.

At this time of year, the Moon’s path creates earlier, closely spaced moonrises on successive evenings, giving extended light at dusk. Historically, that extra light supported more hours to harvest crops.

The name signals a time for community work, abundance, and practical readiness before colder weather sets in.

October Full Moon: Hunter’s Moon

The October Full Moon is commonly called the Hunter’s Moon. Traditionally, it follows the Harvest Moon and provided bright evening light for post-harvest hunting and final provisioning before winter. In years when the Full Moon nearest the autumnal equinox falls in October, that October moon is the Harvest Moon instead, and November may carry the Hunter’s Moon name.

The energetic themes for this moon are primarily focus, strength, and preparation.

Other names for the October Moon:

• Falling Leaves Moon (Ojibwe)
• Drying Rice Moon (Cree)
• Migrating Moon (Cree)
• Someone Stores Food Moon (Oneida)
• Sanguine Moon (Old English)
• Blood Moon (Old English)
• Seed Fall Moon (Celts)

November Full Moon: Beaver Moon

The November Full Moon is widely known as the Beaver Moon, a name linked in colonial and regional records to the period when beavers were actively fortifying lodges and when trapping seasons opened. More symbolically, it points to the final push to secure winter stores.

Across traditions, November signals first hard frosts and freezing conditions. Many names reference frost, darkness, and the start of true winter weather. The energy of this moon aligns with completion, persistence, culmination, and security.

Other names for the November Moon:

• Frost Moon (Cree and Assiniboine)
• Freezing Over Moon (Anishinaabe)
• Whitefish Moon (Algonquin)
• Leaf Fall Moon (Catawba)
• Hunter Month (Cherokee)
• Deer Rutting Moon (Dakota and Lakota)
• First Snow Moon (Mahican)
• Little Winter Moon (Tunica)
• Digging Moon (Tlingit)

December Full Moon: Cold Moon

The December Full Moon is commonly called the Cold Moon, reflecting the onset of winter’s cold and the longest nights of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Seasonally, December marks deep winter: dormancy, stillness, and conservation of heat and resources. Traditional names focus on cold, long nights, and midwinter observances leading into Yule and Christmas periods. It’s a time for reflection, harmony, and dedicating yourself to your intentions once more.

Other names for the December Moon:

• Drift Clearing Moon (Cree)
• Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree)
• Snow Moon (Cherokee)
• Long Night Moon (Mohican, Old English)
• Midwinter Moon (Lakota, Ojibwe)
• Little Spirit Moon (Ojibwe)
• Big Winter Moon (Ojibwe)
• Snow Month (Cherokee)
• Dead of Winter Moon (Inupiat)
• Winter Moon (Tunica)
• Moon Before Yule (Old English)

Other Full Moon Names

In addition to the full moon names for each monthly lunar cycle, there are some other names you might hear associated with the Full Moon. Here are the explanations of those.

Blue Moon

A Blue Moon is an extra Full Moon. A calendar Blue Moon is when there is there is a second Full Moon in a calendar month. A seasonal Blue Moon is the third Full Moon in an astronomical season that has four Full Moons. The Black Moon, which shares similar definitions, is the New Moon version.

When it comes to magical working and spells, you could work with it for clarity, closure, or second-chances.

Blood Moon

A Blood Moon refers to a total lunar eclipse, when the Moon looks red due to Earth’s shadow filtering the sun’s rays. Many witches and other spiritual practitioners prefer not to work with eclipse energy because it’s erratic, but some spells also call for that, so trust your intuition on what’s best for your intentions. Here’s our guide to working with eclipse magic.

Super Moon

A Supermoon is a New or Full Moon that occurs near perigee. This is when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth. As a result, it appears slightly larger and brighter than average. Emotions and spellwork are amplified during this time. If you like the themes of the monthly moon and it’s a super moon, that would be an excellent time to make moon water.

Micro Moon

A Micro Moon is a New or Full Moon near apogee, which is when the Moon is at the farthest point from the Earth. It appears slightly smaller and dimmer than average. Assume spells might be a little gentler during this time.

Full Moon Calendar for 2026

Date	Moon Name	Zodiac Sign	Time (ET)
January 3, 2026	Wolf Moon	Cancer	5:03 AM (Supermoon)
February 1, 2026	Snow Moon	Leo	5:09 PM
March 3, 2026	Worm Moon	Virgo	6:38 AM (Total Lunar Eclipse, Blood Moon)
April 1, 2026	Pink Moon	Libra	10:12 PM
May 1, 2026	Flower Moon	Scorpio	1:23 PM (Micromoon)
May 31, 2026	Blue Moon	Sagittarius	4:45 AM (Blue Moon, Micromoon)
June 29, 2026	Strawberry Moon	Capricorn	7:57 PM (Micromoon)
July 29, 2026	Buck Moon	Aquarius	10:36 AM
August 27, 2026	Sturgeon Moon	Pisces	12:19 PM (Partial Lunar Eclipse)
September 26, 2026	Harvest Moon	Aries	12:49 AM
October 25, 2026	Hunter’s Moon	Taurus	12:12 AM
November 24, 2026	Beaver Moon	Gemini	9:54 AM (Supermoon)
December 23, 2026	Cold Moon	Cancer	8:28 PM (Supermoon)