The name Halloween comes from the Christian observance of All Hallows’ Eve, the evening before All Saints’ Day. Over time, All Hallows’ Eve was shortened in English to Hallowe’en and then to Halloween. This etymology reflects its roots in the phrase “All Hallows’ Eve” and the Old English/Scottish forms that combined “hallow” (saint, holy person) with the evening reference. The holiday itself also integrates older Celtic traditions, especially the Samhain festival, which contributed to the customs associated with October 31 and the boundary between the living and the dead. Key points

• Origins: All Hallows’ Eve -> Hallowe’en -> Halloween; the term derives from the Christian calendar.

• Meaning: “hallow” means holy or sacred; “e’en” is a contraction of “evening.”

• Celtic influence: Samhain as a pre-Christian festival influenced the Halloween observance as it merged with All Hallows’ Eve.