“Bede wrote that the month in which English Christians were celebrating the resurrection of Jesus had been called Eosturmonath in Old English, referring to a goddess named Eostre. As religious studies scholar Bruce Forbes summarizes:

The only reference to this goddess comes from the writings of the Venerable Bede, a British monk who lived in the late seventh and early eighth century. The naming of the celebration as “Easter” seems to go back to the name of a pre-Christian goddess in England, Eostre, who was celebrated at beginning of spring. Given the symbolism of new life and rebirth, it was only natural to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at this time of the year. Spring also means the coming back to life of plants and trees that have been dormant for winter, as well as the birth of new life in the animal world.

For those in northern latitudes, the coming of spring is often met with excitement, as it means an end to the cold days of winter. Similar was the case with Easter, which falls in close proximity to another key point in the solar year: the vernal equinox (around March 20), when there are equal periods of light and darkness. Since the days following the winter solstice gradually become longer and less dark, it was ideal symbolism for the birth of “the light of the world” as stated in the New Testament’s Gospel of John. Many scholars believe, however, that the main reason Jesus’ birth came to be celebrated on December 25 is because that was the date of the winter solstice according to the Roman calendar. The New Testament gives no information about what time of year Jesus was born. This is especially obvious in the case of Christmas. Most major holidays have some connection to the changing of seasons.

Easter bunny origin