The best month to be born depends on several factors, including astrological significance, seasonal climate, academic and athletic achievement, and health outcomes. While there is no definitive “best” month, some months appear to give babies advantages over others.
Astrological Significance
Astrology assigns personality traits and predictions based on the position of the stars and planets at the time of birth. Your astrological sign is determined by the month you are born.
The most popular astrological signs are:
- Aries (March 21 – April 19) – Adventurous, energetic, impatient
- Taurus (April 20 – May 20) – Reliable, patient, stubborn
- Gemini (May 21 – June 20) – Adaptable, outgoing, indecisive
- Cancer (June 21 – July 22) – Emotional, loving, moody
- Leo (July 23 – August 22) – Confident, ambitious, vain
- Virgo (August 23 – September 22) – Analytical, kind, critical
- Libra (September 23 – October 22) – Diplomatic, gracious, indecisive
- Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) – Passionate, resourceful, jealous
- Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) – Optimistic, adventurous, impatient
- Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) – Disciplined, responsible, condescending
- Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) – Progressive, original, aloof
- Pisces (February 19 – March 20) – Compassionate, sensitive, indecisive
Some astrologers believe the position of the sun in a specific constellation at the time of birth impacts personality and destiny. However, astrology is considered pseudoscience, as scientific studies have found no evidence to support astrological claims.
Academic Achievement
Several studies have analyzed how birth month correlates with academic success.
One study found a relationship between birth month and likelihood of being diagnosed with learning disabilities. Children born in certain months were more likely to be diagnosed with conditions like dyslexia or ADHD:
| Birth Month | Likelihood of Learning Disability Diagnosis |
|---|---|
| January | Least likely |
| May | Most likely |
The authors hypothesized this could be because children born in May are the youngest in their school year group. Their cognitive development may be slightly behind their older classmates.
Another study found summer-born children perform lower academically than their older peers:
| Birth Month | Average Test Scores |
|---|---|
| September | Highest |
| August | Lower |
| July | Lower |
| June | Lowest |
Again, the authors hypothesize this is because summer-born children are the youngest when beginning school.
Athletic Ability
Being older and more physically mature than peers can provide an athletic advantage. This suggests children born early in the school year might be more successful athletes.
Several studies support this:
- In European youth soccer leagues, more players are born early in the school year.
- In junior ice hockey in Canada, roughly 40% of players are born in the first three months of the year, while only about 15% are born in the last three months.
- In the UK, England’s youth cricket and rugby teams have more players born early in the school year.
The selection bias likely emerges because coaches often pick the biggest and most coordinated children. Older children in a school year tend to be more physically mature.
Future Income
An analysis of adults’ incomes compared to their birth months found:
| Birth Month | Average Income Level |
|---|---|
| September – November | Highest income |
| March – May | Middle income |
| December – February | Lowest income |
The authors suggest that eldest children in school cohorts develop more leadership skills and confidence, leading to greater career success. However, other factors like family size and social class may also play a role.
Lifespan
Some research indicates lifespan may correlate with birth month due to environmental exposures in certain periods:
| Birth Month | Average Lifespan |
|---|---|
| October – December | Longest |
| April – June | Shortest |
Experts hypothesize that viral infections like flu are more common in winter months. If a mother catches an infection during pregnancy, it could impact fetal development and health outcomes later in life.
Personality Traits
Multiple studies have tried to link birth month to personality. However, results have been conflicting:
- Some studies find winter-born babies are less irritable and active.
- Other studies associate winter birth months with higher rates of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
- Some data suggests higher creativity and lower agreeability among spring-born individuals.
- One study links agreeableness to autumn births.
Overall, the associations between birth month and personality are weak. It’s unlikely month of birth determines character and behavior.
Mood
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder that emerges due to changing seasons and light exposure. Research suggests birth month may impact mood disorders later in life:
| Birth Month | Risk of SAD |
|---|---|
| November – January | Highest risk |
| May – July | Lowest risk |
Experts theorize light exposure in the first few months after birth could help calibrate the circadian rhythm. This affects mood regulation over one’s lifetime.
Allergies and Asthma
Children born in peak allergy season appear more likely to develop conditions like asthma and hay fever:
| Birth Month | Risk of Allergies |
|---|---|
| March – May | Highest |
| December – February | Lowest |
Researchers hypothesize spring-born babies are exposed to more allergens like pollen during their first year of life. This could trigger allergic sensitization.
Multiple Sclerosis
Studies link winter/spring birth months with increased multiple sclerosis (MS) risk:
| Birth Month | MS Risk |
|---|---|
| April – May | Highest |
| October – November | Lowest |
Experts theorize vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and early life influences MS development. Babies born in winter receive less sunlight and in-utero vitamin D.
Eating Disorders
A study on birth month and eating disorders had these findings:
| Birth Month | Risk of Eating Disorders |
|---|---|
| March – June | Highest risk |
| September – December | Lowest risk |
Authors suggest relative age effects in competitive athletics could promote body image issues. Spring-born girls are older than female classmates, feel pressure to stay thin, and are at higher risk for disorders like anorexia.
Depression
Analysis of mood disorders shows a pattern based on birth month:
| Birth Month | Depression Risk |
|---|---|
| March – June | Highest |
| September – December | Lowest |
Potential factors are relative age, seasonality at birth, sunlight exposure, winter infections in-utero, and maternal nutrition levels.
Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes appears correlated with month of birth:
| Birth Month | Likelihood of Type 1 Diabetes |
|---|---|
| October – December | Highest risk |
| July | Lowest risk |
Viral infections may again be the culprit. Exposure to certain winter infections during gestation could theoretically impact the fetal immune system and later diabetes risk.
Conclusion
In summary, research suggests birth month correlations with several outcomes:
- Spring-born children are often at a disadvantage academically and athletically compared to autumn-born classmates.
- Babies born in winter months have slightly higher risks for some illnesses like diabetes, MS, and mood disorders, potentially related to maternal infections.
- However, correlations tend to be fairly weak overall. Month of birth is not necessarily destiny.
While there are some group-level tendencies, individual strengths, weaknesses, interests, and efforts determine success more than season of birth. The impacts of birth month are generally subtle, not rigid determinants of destiny.
In astrology, spring is regarded as an optimal time, bringing renewal and growth. But from an objective perspective, there is no clear universally “best” month. Each has its pros and cons from physical health to personality traits.
Every month and season has its own unique beauty and character. We can make the most of our situation regardless of when we are born.
With thoughtful parenting, social support, and personal determination, individuals can thrive in any month. While fate deals us each a different hand, human resilience and spirit can triumph over our circumstances.