Nation The wolf moon, first of 12 full moons in 2021, rises Thursday night. Here’s the history behind its name. January 28, 2021Elinor Aspegren, USA TODAYComments Off on The wolf moon, first of 12 full moons in 2021, rises Thursday night. Here’s the history behind its name. The name is attributed to Native Americans noticing that wolves would howl during the winter months, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.