In the calendars of the Elves, the year was divided into six long seasons rather than twelve months, and began at the height of spring. Echuir was the Sindarin name for the last of these seasons, marking the period that came after the end of winter proper (Rhîw in Sindarin) and showed the first signs that spring was truly approaching. Thus it received its name, which means 'stirring' (as does its Quenya equivalent, Coirë). At the end of Echuir came a day that belonged to no season, Mettarë the last day of the year, followed immediately by Yestarë, the beginning of the Elves' new year.

On a modern (Gregorian) calendar, Echuir corresponded roughly to the combined months of February and March, a period of fifty-four days beginning on 1 February and continuing to 27 March.