How 2016's Full Moons Got Their Peculiar Names

 The start of 2016 brings with it a new year of skywatching, and lunar enthusiasts are gearing up for a stunning lineup of full moons. But, where does the tradition of full moon names come from?

Full moon names date back to Native Americans of a few hundred years ago, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. To keep track of the changing seasons, these tribes gave distinctive names to each recurring full moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred.

There were some variations in the moon names, but in general, the same ones were used throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England, continuing west to Lake Superior.


The Full Wolf Moon. Amid the cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Native American villages. This moon was also known as the Old Moon or the Moon after Yule. In some tribes it was called the Full Snow Moon, but most applied that name to the next moon.


VIDEO Wolves serenade the moon

Responses to "Happy Full Wolf Moon 2016: What You Need to Know About January's Full Moon"

  1. I love this sound. Miss the wolves in New Mexico.

  2. I love hearing their voices. I know they are near.

  3. Anonymous says:

    I have a great niece born this date of the full white wolf moon. Would love to know what this might mean.


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