The Gryffindor Gazette

Name meanings from Harry Potter

by Grace Tilton on June 1st, 2006

I’ve always wondered where JKR got her names. I mean, Sirius is the dog star. Lupin means wolf.

So, I decided to look them up, and you will not believe what I found!! It is amazing!!

Alastor - Greek God who sought revenge on people.
Albus - In Latin means white (maybe for white beard). Wisdom. Or.. Governor of Britain at the death of the emperor Pertinax, Decimus Clodius Albinus (Albinus=Albus?) attempted to seize the throne but ended up as Caesar in alliance with another imperial contender, Septimius Severus. After Severus defeated two other rivals (Voldemort and… maybe Slytherin?), the now expendable Albinus was forced into another attempt at usurpation, an attempt that came to an end at the bloody battle of Lyon.
Aragog - “Arachnid” means spider.
Argus - In Greek mythology, Argus was a monster that had a hundred eyes and was ever-so-watchful.
Beauxbatons - French for ‘beautiful wands’.
Draco - Draco is a constellation that looks like a dragon but is a snake. In Latin, Draco means “dragon.”
Dumbledore - Means “Bumblebee” in Old English.
Durmstrang - “sturm und drang” is German phrase meaning storm and stress.
Filch - To “steal.”
Firenze - Italian name for the city of Florence.
Flitwick - A town in England.
Fleur Delacour - Means “Flower of the Court” in French.
Fluffy - “Cerebrus” the three-headed dog was the guarder of the underworld in greek mythology.
Gilderoy - A highwayman known for being handsome. (ROTFL)
Hedwig - A saint that lived in Germany in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Hermes - The Greek Messenger.
Lockhart - Town in Australia near Wagga Wagga (”Compose a poem about my defeat of the Wagga Wagga Werewolf”?).
Lucius - Similar to Lucifer (the devil).
Lupin - Lunar means moon. Lupin means wolf-like. Canis Lupus is the scientific name for wolf.
Malfoy - “Mal foi” means “bad faith” in French. Malfoy has “mal” in it, meaning evil.
Minerva - In Roman Mythology was the Goddess of Wisdom. In Greek Mythology she was the Goddess of War. She gave strict punishments.
Mirror of Erised - Erised backwards is desire (as in “you’ll see what you desire”).
Nagini - ‘Naga’ is snake in Sanskrit.
Nicholas Flamel - Was a real alchemist, and supposedly DID create the Philosopher’s Stone (not “Sorceror’s”). The tale was that he had spent decades of his life trying to create the Philosopher’s Stone, which could turn any metal in to gold and unlock the secrets to immortality, but could not figure it out. (I will post up more later)
Nimbus - “Nimbus” means “cloud.” Nimbus was also a god in Greek Mythology.
Parvati - Parvati is a Hindu Goddess married to Hindu God Siva the Destroyer. She gave birth to a baby boy named Ganesh, who Siva beheaded, but replaced the old head with an elephant head after Parvati reamed him out. Sister of the Goddess of the Ganges, Padma. “Patel” is a common Indian last-name.
Remus - Brother of Romulous (founder of Rome). They were raised by a female wolf. He was killed by Romulous.
Ronan - An irish saint.
Severus - Sever means “to cut-off”. Severe also means cruel, strict. In ancient history, Lucius Septimius Severus restored stability to the Roman empire after the tumultuous reign of the emperor Commodus (See Albus) and the civil wars that erupted in the wake of Commodus’ murder (if you watched “Gladiator” then you should know this).
Sibyll - Sibyll comes from the Sibyls, who were famous propheys in ancient mythology.
Sirius - Named after Sirius Star, or Dog Star. Seen during summer “dog” days.
Tom Marvolo Riddle - If you rearrang the letters it spells: “I am Lord Voldemort.” (we know this, but it is still interesting.)
Voldemort, Lord - There was a dark wizard in mid-evil times named Voldermortist. In another language, Voldermortist means “Lord of Evil” or “Dark Lord”. Legend has it that Voldermortist once tried to destroy Merlin before the time of King Arthur (Mr. Weasley?), by bewitching good people, and simply bribing those who already were evil. Legend has it that Merlin destroyed Voldermortist by using a simple paralyzing charm (full body bind?), fed him to the many-headed-beast (Fluffy?) of the lake, the Lady of the Lake’s pet (Giant Squid?), freed the bewitched people, and destroyed the evil men. That was maybe twelve, thirteen years before Arthur (how long it was from Voldemort’s destruction until Harry started Hogwarts). In French means “thief of death” (meaning escaping death).

Isn’t that amazing?! I thought it was awesome! It is great!

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