Each month's full moon has a traditional name — the Wolf Moon, the Harvest Moon, the Cold Moon — mostly drawn from Native American, Colonial American and European folklore that tracked the seasons. Here is the full list for 2026 and what each name means.
For the current moon phase and the next full moon date, see our moon phase tracker.
The 12 full moon names
| Month | Full moon name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| January | Wolf Moon | Wolves howling in midwinter |
| February | Snow Moon | The heaviest snows of the year |
| March | Worm Moon | Earthworms reappear as the ground thaws |
| April | Pink Moon | Early spring wildflowers (pink phlox) |
| May | Flower Moon | Spring blooms in full |
| June | Strawberry Moon | The strawberry harvest |
| July | Buck Moon | New antlers on male deer |
| August | Sturgeon Moon | Sturgeon fish were easily caught |
| September | Harvest Moon | The full moon nearest the autumn equinox |
| October | Hunter's Moon | Time to hunt and store food for winter |
| November | Beaver Moon | Beavers building winter dams |
| December | Cold Moon | The onset of winter cold |
Special full moons
Beyond the monthly names, you'll also hear:
- Harvest Moon — not fixed to September; it's the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, so it can occasionally fall in early October.
- Hunter's Moon — the full moon after the Harvest Moon.
- Blue Moon — the second full moon in a single calendar month (or, by an older definition, the third of four full moons in a season). "Once in a blue moon" comes from its rarity.
- Supermoon — a full moon that occurs when the Moon is near its closest point to Earth, appearing slightly larger and brighter.
Why do full moons have names?
Long before printed calendars, communities tracked the year by the Moon. Naming each month's full moon was a practical way to mark the seasons — when to plant, harvest, hunt or prepare for winter. Many of the names we use in English come from Native American traditions, blended with Colonial American and European ones.
When is the next full moon?
The Moon completes its cycle about every 29.5 days, so there's roughly one full moon per month — and occasionally two (a Blue Moon). For the exact next full moon date and the current phase, check our moon phase page.
Quick answers
What are the 12 full moon names? Wolf (Jan), Snow (Feb), Worm (Mar), Pink (Apr), Flower (May), Strawberry (Jun), Buck (Jul), Sturgeon (Aug), Harvest (Sep), Hunter's (Oct), Beaver (Nov), Cold (Dec).
What is a Blue Moon? The second full moon in a single calendar month — a fairly rare event, hence "once in a blue moon."
What is the Harvest Moon? The full moon nearest the autumn equinox (usually September), known for rising soon after sunset for several nights.
How often is there a full moon? About every 29.5 days — roughly one per month, with an occasional second (Blue Moon).