100+ Words Related to January: Start the Year with New Words

August 21, 2025

Ah, January. The month of resolutions, fresh starts, and the post-holiday slump. Needless to say, it’s a strange mix of nostalgia and optimism! Let’s check out some words associated with this special month.

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Table of Contents

1. New Year’s Day

Of course, New Year’s Day is a part of this list of words related to January!

Celebrated on January 1st, New Year’s Day is a quieter affair, especially when compared to the chaotic parties and grand countdowns of New Year’s Eve. Basically, it’s a day for sweatpants, leftover food, and a much-needed mental break.

2. Chinese Lunar New Year

This celebration, also known as the Spring Festival, serves as a full reset button, but with way more style than your typical Western New Year’s Eve party.

The festival itself is steeped in symbolism. Take the red envelopes, for instance. They’re filled with money and given to younger generations as a wish for good fortune. Even the food is super symbolic. For example, dumplings are shaped like ancient Chinese currency to bring wealth, and whole fish are served to represent a wish for abundance throughout the year.

3. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

On January 20th, Americans celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Here’s a fun fact: it’s the only federal holiday that celebrates an African-American.

This day is more than just a day off from work, though. It’s a day for acknowledging that the dream he spoke of is still something we have to actively work towards.

4. Sundance Film Festival

Are you a fan of independent films? If you are, then you probably already know the significance of the Sundance Film Festival. However, just in case you’re not familiar with the festival, here is a quick TL;DR: it is an event showcasing independent films (documentaries, feature films, and more), with competitive sections and an awards ceremony.

Fun Fact: This festival was created by Robert Redford.

5. Perihelion

The word perihelion refers to the point in Earth’s orbit where it’s closest to the Sun. This occurs every January, which can seem unusual to those in the Northern Hemisphere who are experiencing winter.

There’s a misconception that seasons are based on the distance from the Sun, but that’s not how it works. The seasons are primarily a result of the Earth’s axial tilt.

In January, the Northern Hemisphere is turned away from the Sun, resulting in shorter days and cooler temperatures. But for the Southern Hemisphere, it’s completely different — it’s tilted towards the Sun, and gets hot weather.

6. Garnet

The birthstone for January is garnet, a deep red stone that looks like a drop of blood or a ripe pomegranate seed. It’s a stone that has been associated with protection and passion, which feels like a fitting theme for the start of the year.

7. Snowdrop

You’d think no flowers would bloom in January. But guess what? Snowdrops will prove you wrong. These tiny white flowers are often the first to poke their heads up through the snow in late winter. They’re a symbol of hope and new beginnings, which is fitting for the first month of the year.

8. Capricorn

If you’re a Capricorn, you’re a January baby. This earth sign is known for being ambitious, disciplined, and practical. So, what does it feel like to have a Capricorn friend? Well, Capricons are the ones who will help you move on a Saturday, no questions asked, and will probably have a detailed plan for how to do it efficiently.

9. Aquarius

The latter half of January and early February belong to the Aquarius, the water bearer. These folks are known for being independent, quirky, and humanitarian. They’re the kind of people who have a dozen different interests and are passionate about all of them. They can sometimes be perceived as detached, but in reality, they’re thinking on a different level.

10. Epiphany

This word, which means a sudden realization, is an excellent fit for January. Why? Well, after the holiday chaos subsides, your brain has the space for those “aha!” moments to hit.

The word also has a deeper, historical link to January 6th, which is the Christian holiday of Epiphany. Originally, it’s a Greek word for “manifestation” and marks the day the Three Magi’s visit to see Jesus was revealed to the non-Jewish world.

11. Twelfth Night

When should you take down your Christmas decorations and store them in your garage? Well, on the Twelfth Night of course! That’s the evening of January 5th, which traditionally is the end of the Christmas season.