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Why Does the Full Moon Have So Many Names?

The full Moon names published in the Farmers’ Almanac date back to Native Americans who lived in what is now the northeastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon. Each Moon name was applied to the entire month in which it occurred. Though there was some variation among the Moon names used by various tribes, in general, the same ones were used by the Algonquin tribes whose territory stretched from New England to Lake Superior. When the European settlers arrived, they adopted the custom, and also created some of their own names. Since a lunar month is only 29 days long, on the average, the full Moon dates shift from year to year.

If you had a chance to name a full Moon what would it be? September's full moon is the Full Corn Moon ... why not the Back to School Moon?

Tell us what you would name October's Moon! The Farmers' Almanac Name that Moon Contest is here! We want you to name our full Moons! Check it out today.

Traditional Full Moon Names here.