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Name Origins
STUDENTS
Hermione Granger - The name Hermione means "eloquence," something that surely does not relate to her personality or character traits. However, her mythological counterpart is Hermione, daughter of Helen and Menelaus. Greek stories about Hermione usually concern her superior intellect and how it makes her disliked at times, something that happens to Hermione Granger often.
Draco Malfoy - Draco's first name is the Latin word for both "dragon" and "serpent." Both of these creatures remind us of Draco's slyness and tendency to "slither" around, committing hateful deeds.
Parvati Patil - Parvati is a Hindu goddess.
Harry Potter - Not a lot of thought seems to have gone into Harry's name, but there are still definite references to his life hidden in it. The name "Harry" is extremely common in Britain, hinting at his pauper status while living with the Dursleys. Furthermore, the surname " otter" may have relativity to the biblical term "potter's field," a place where unknown persons were buried. J.K. Rowling has said on several occasions that Harry is her favourite name for a boy, and if she had a son that would be his name.
Ginny Weasley - Ginny's first name is a short form of Ginevra (not Virginia as pointed out by J.K. Rowling), which is an Italian form of Guinevere. It means "white and smooth." This suggests Ginny's purity and kindness. This meaning also translates to Ginny's innocent qualities, untouched by darkness.
Ron Weasley - Popular mythologist Charles Hart did some digging through ancient Scottish folklore and discovered a very interesting bit of information that Rowling may have had in mind when naming Ron. A rather obscure legend says that ancient warlord Running Weasel was an extremely talented chess player (like Ron) and died of an accident involving a rat that had been dyed yellow - something that Ron attempts in Book I. NOTE: The surname "Weasley" does not seem to have any reference to the word "weasel" besides its spelling and similar sound. It does not imply that the Weasley family members look or act like weasels. The connection is only in word and spelling and does not prove any personality connections to the family
Oliver Wood - The last name "Wood" sounds a lot like "wad," which means "crazed" or "mad" - likewise, Oliver is extremely passionate about Quidditch and very eccentric, as well.
HOGWARTS PROFESSORS
Albus Dumbledore - "Dumbledore" means bumblebee...like a bumblebee, he is hardworking and helpful. The Headmaster's first name, Albus can be directly translated from the latin word "albus" meaning "white, bright, clear, shining" or any varation thereof. This represents Dumbledore's benevolent force and his powerful light magic, as white is the color of purity and good, in general. He is very reminiscent of the Greek god Zeus, who as supreme leader rules over the sky and other gods. In the same way, Dumbledore rules over Hogwarts and its teachers and students. -- Credit "Albus": Julia
Argus Filch - The Hogwarts caretaker has a mythological familiar: the Greek Argus. Argus had a hundred eyes, intended for watching over the castles and towers of the gods. Indeed, Filch's job is to watch over Hogwarts and walk the corridors at night, serving as a dutiful watchman.
Filius Flitwick - Filius is Latin for "unnoticeable;" Flitwick is a town in England.
Rubeus Hagrid - Hagrid is much like a rebus puzzle, or so his first name suggests, and his last name tells us of his "haggardly" traits. Fairytale counterparts include Friar Tuck of "Robin Hood's Merry Men."
Gilderoy Lockhart - Lockhart is Harry's second DADA teacher at Hogwarts. His first name makes us think of the adjective "gilded" - something that is gilded has been coated with gold to appear prettier than it really is, much like the way Lockhart covers his crime of stealing and plagurism with his good looks.
Remus Lupin - Both Lupin's first and last names tell us of his wolf-like qualities - being able to transform into a werewolf at the full moon. Remus is taken from the fabled Roman brothers Remus and Romulus, who were raised by wolves (Romulus later killed Remus and went on to build the Italian city of Rome). Lupin is the Latin word for "wolf."
Minerva McGonagall - Minerva (in Roman mythology) was the goddess of widom and battle and is often considered to be of reason and purity. All of these things have obvious connections to Professor McGonagall, such as her obvious wisdom and fairness among students.
Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody - The name Alastor is derived from "Alexander," which means "defender of mankind." Likewise, Moody "defends" the wizard population as an Auror who seeks out Death Eaters to kill or turn in to the MOM. The nickname "Mad-Eye" is, of course, in reference to Moody's magical eye.
Severus Snape - The potions master's name tells us of his personality exactly. "Severus" makes note of Snape's severity or severe tendencies. "Snape" is a reference to "snake" or "serpent," of which Snape rather resembles, as well as the serpent being the symbol of Snape's house, Slytherin. Snape is also a town in Britain that J.K. Rowling used to visit often.
Pomona Sprout - A rather humorous connection is made between Professor Sprout's name and her position at Hogwarts. She is the herbology teacher, and "sprout" is a word often associated with the plants that she teaches her students about. Pomona, Professor Sprout's first name, is fittingly a goddess of the garden and fruit. (Thanks Carolee!)
Sibyll Trelawny - Professor Trelawny's first name means "oracle" or "fortuneteller," hinting at her position at Hogwarts as Divination teacher.
Quirrel - The word "quirrel" suggests this teacher's quarrelsome behavior, the way he seems loyal to Hogwarts but is really a Voldemort supporter (as well as his host body in Book I). "Quirrel" also sounds a lot like "squirrel," and the professor's stutter and gestures seem very squirrel-like.
OTHER CHARACTERS
Sirius Black - "Sirius" is a constellation that is often referred to as the "Dog Star." Hence, Sirius Black is named such for his Animagus form of a black dog.
Fleur Delacour - Fleur's entire name (first and last) means "flower of the court" in French.
Lucius Malfoy - "Lucius" sounds a lot like Lucifer, another name for Satan. The name Malfoy comes from the Latin maleficus, meaning "evil-doer" (other derivative words include "malicious" and "maleficent"). Each of these words tell us quite plainly of the Malfoy's tendency to come across as "evil."
Narcissa Malfoy - Mrs. Malfoy was named for a Greek myth. Narcissus was a man who fell in love with himself after gazing at his reflection so often. When he was admiring himself in a pool one day, he pined away and died.
Tom Riddle - An excerpt from Exploring Harry Potter by Elizabeth D. Schafer says the following: "Riddle, true to his name, creates more questions than answers, and plays the role of the Riddler to Harry's heroic Batman." Also, Tom's full name (Tom Marvalo Riddle), as seen in Book II, can be rearranged to spell the phrase "I Am Lord Voldemort."
Rita Skeeter - The word "skeeter" bears relation to the words "scamper," "scatter," and "creep," verbs that pertain to beetles, of which Rita can transform into at will.
Lord Voldemort - "Voldemort" is French for "flight of death." Other ideas are the root "mort" which is included in such words as "mort" (death), "mortify" (to punish), and "mortuary" (a place of burial).
ANIMALS, GHOSTS, ETC.
Fawkes - Fawkes, Dumbledore's pet phoenix, is named for Guy Fawkes, the leader of a famous attempt to blow up the English Parliament building in 1605 (often called "The Gunpowder Plot").
Firenze - This centaur's name is the Italian word for the city of Florence.
Hedwig - Hedwig was a German saint who lived in the 12th or 13th century. She delivered messages to townspeople.
Hermes - Hermes was a messenger for the gods in Greek mythology.
Peeves - The meaning of Peeves' name is very obvious - to "peeve" is to annoy or irritate. Hence, Peeves is always causing trouble and wreaking havoc in Hogwarts.
Ronan - Ronan was an Irish saint. Interestingly, Ronan the centaur has red hair!
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发表于 2004-6-3 10:47:00
