Name Meanings

[[deleted user]]

Has anyone else ever noticed that a lot of the names in the book have a meaning behind them that fits the characters personality? Ex. Voldemort. Vol-escape, De-from, Mort-death.

[Tanvi]

well, I am not sure about the names of characters, but things or places definitely have hidden meanings in the books.
For eg. Mirror of Erised or Diagon Alley

[Charisma]

Yes, for example Dumbledores first name is from the Latin word alba, "white." According to Rowling interviews, his last name is Old English for "bumblebee." White stands for purity/honor and bumble bee/busy as a bee stands for hard working.

Harry is a medieval English version of the name Henry, "ruler of the home." It also can be a nickname for Harold, "army ruler."

Severus is the Latin word for "strict" or "severe.

Malfoy or mal foi = bad faith in French.

Grimmauld Place = Grim old place

The word lupus is Latin for wolf.

I know the list goes on and on. Rowling really thought out every little detail which just further proves how amazing she is.

[[deleted user]]

yes lupa and remus are both roman for wolf. Thus the name remus lupin

[Chris]

Jordan wrote: "Has anyone else ever noticed that a lot of the names in the book have a meaning behind them that fits the characters personality? Ex. Voldemort. Vol-escape, De-from, Mort-death."

I like the idea but in what language does "vol" equate to "escape"?

[Ezra]

I haven't noticed that before, but it makes sense, huh?

[[deleted user]]

Chris wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Has anyone else ever noticed that a lot of the names in the book have a meaning behind them that fits the characters personality? Ex. Voldemort. Vol-escape, De-from, Mort-death."

I ..."
French I think. Either french or latin

[[deleted user]]

Oh in french it means flight of death but its basically the same thing

[Ruth]

In Roman times, someone who can see into the future was known as a Sybil. Very apt :)

[BubblesTheMonkey]

Huh, I have never noticed before. Good catch.

[Elia]

I'm surprised so many people say they never noticed this. It's one of the first things most people notice, especially with the adults.
Sirius Black, whose name literally means "Dog" Black turns into a black dog.
Remus Lupin - Lupin means wolf. Remus was one of the mythologicl twins who founded Rome, they were raised by wolves.
Fleur Delacour - Flower of the heart (she makes people fall in love with her)
Moaning Myrtle - the myrtle plant is a symbol of immortality (she's a ghost, therefore both dead and not dead)
There's one of these for pretty much all the characters except maybe the 3 main kids. It's kinda cool.

[JC]

Shelby wrote: "Luna is a pretty obvious one. It means moon, which can be associated with craziness, or 'loony' ness."
Yes, like lunar lunacy

[Julia]

Tanvi wrote: "well, I am not sure about the names of characters, but things or places definitely have hidden meanings in the books.
For eg. Mirror of Erised or Diagon Alley"

I know that the Mirror of Erised is "desire" spelled backwards but what's the one for Diagon Alley? If it's obvious, ignore my blondeness

[Elia]

Julia wrote: "Tanvi wrote: "well, I am not sure about the names of characters, but things or places definitely have hidden meanings in the books.
For eg. Mirror of Erised or Diagon Alley"

I know that the Mirror..."

I think this one is meant to be just a funny play on words "diagonally." Knocturn Alley = nocturnally (at night)

[Julia]

Shelby wrote: "Luna is a pretty obvious one. It means moon, which can be associated with craziness, or 'loony' ness."

Luna's my favorite. XD

[Mealias]

i also find the spells amusing seeing as JKR used Latin words to come up with them :)
example: Wingardium Leviosa --> "wing" + "arduus" (Latin for high or steep), and thirdly "levo" meaning to lift or levitate in Latin.

[Tanvi]

Julia wrote: "Tanvi wrote: "well, I am not sure about the names of characters, but things or places definitely have hidden meanings in the books.
For eg. Mirror of Erised or Diagon Alley"

I know that the Mirror..."

Yes, Elia got it right. Its 'diagoanlly', since the alley is a crooked one. And nocturnally was a good one Elia...

[Tanvi]

Charisma wrote: "Yes, for example Dumbledores first name is from the Latin word alba, "white." According to Rowling interviews, his last name is Old English for "bumblebee." White stands for purity/honor and bumble..."

Bumblebee? I didn't know that... Cool. And I don't think Harry can be described as 'ruler of the house'. I mean, he never owned a house... Except gryffindor, of course. Thank you for the info

[Elia]

Ruthie wrote: "i also find the spells amusing seeing as JKR used Latin words to come up with them :)
example: Wingardium Leviosa --> "wing" + "arduus" (Latin for high or steep), and thirdly "levo" meaning to lif..."

Yup, most of the spells and potions are like that - Felix Felicitas means lucky happyness, arresto momentum = stop movement, lumos means light, etc etc.

[Sofia]

Shelby wrote: "Yes, I totally agree.
In fact, Ronald mean "Ruler's Counsel"!
Hermione is a Greek princess, but I don't really think it ties anything into her, because the meaning of the name is "messenger", as ..."


I think J.K. chose Hermione as the character's name because it was unsual, and she didn't want girls to be made fun of for being similar to the character :) I don't think it has anything to do with the meaning, but if it does, that would be even more incredible.

[Karen]

the quote on the Mirror of Erised is just "I show not your face but your heart's desire" backward.

[Amanda]

It just goes to show how much time and thought JKR put into these books and what an amazing writer she is.



http://divaliciouzbookreviews.blogspo...

[[deleted user]]

Jordan (The Gleek) wrote: "Has anyone else ever noticed that a lot of the names in the book have a meaning behind them that fits the characters personality? Ex. Voldemort. Vol-escape, De-from, Mort-death."
Yes, I did...thought it was hilarious. :)
Bellatrix is Latin for "female warrior."

[Avani]

Chris wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Has anyone else ever noticed that a lot of the names in the book have a meaning behind them that fits the characters personality? Ex. Voldemort. Vol-escape, De-from, Mort-death."

I ..."

In French.

[Avani]

Also... Diagon Alley = Diagonally, and Knockturn Alley = Nocturnally.

[[deleted user]]

Just thought of another one!
Remember Professer Trelawney's great-grandmother?(Umbrige mentions her in book 5) Well, Cassandra was the seer who saw how the Greeks were going to attack Troy. Unfortunatly, no one believed her.

[[deleted user]]

wow never realised