Days of the Week

Monday is the first day of the week, according to international standard ISO 8601.

The name ‘Monday’ is derived from Old English ‘Mōnandæg’ and Middle English ‘Monenday’, which means “Moon day”, after Norse god Mani.

The Germanic term is a Germanic interpretation of Latin ‘lunae dies’.

Tuesday is derived from Old English ‘Tiwesdæg ‘ and Middle English ‘Tewesday’, meaning “Tiw's day”, a translation of Lation ‘Martis dies’.

‘Tiw’ is the Old English form of the Pro-Germanic god Tiwaz, or Tyr in Norse, a god of war and law, an equivalent to Mars, the Roman god of war.

Wednesday is from the Old English Wōdnesdæg and Middle English ‘Wednesdei’,  "Wodanaz's day”, ultimately a calque of ‘Mercurii dies’, "Mercury's day". 

Germanic god Wodanaz is equivalent to Latin god Mercury, god of trade.

Thursday is from the Old English ‘Þūnresdæg’ and Middle Engish ‘Thuresday’, which means “Thunor’s day".  Thunor, or Thor are derived from the Proto-Germanic god Thunaraz, god of thunder.

In Latin, it is known as ‘lovis dies’, “Jupiter's day”, the roman god of sky and thunder.

Friday is from the Old English ‘Frīġedæġ ’, “day of Frige”.  Frige is the Germanic goddess of love.

In Latin it is ‘Veneris dies’, “Venus' day”, Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility.

Saturday is from Old English ‘Saeternesdæg’, after the planet Saturn, also the Roman god of agricultue.

In Latin, it is 'Saturni dies’.

Sunday is the seventh day and last day of the week, according to international standard ISO 8601.  For Hebrew and Islamic calendars, Sunday is the first day of the week.

The name ‘Sunday’ derived from Old Englsih ‘Sunnandæg‘, “Sun's day”, a Germanic goddess.   

In Latin, it is ‘solis dies’.