Etymology - (n) The origin and historical development of a linguistic form as shown by determining its basic elements, earliest known use, and changes in form and meaning, tracing its transmission from one language to another, identifying its cognates in other languages, and reconstructing its ancestral form where possible. (In English, that means the history behind words)
Welcome to Etymology. This is where we dig into the historical figures and origins of the names of Harry Potter characters, objects, and spells. Rumour has it that J. K. Rowling has notebooks upon notebooks of this kind of stuff for characters; we're just here to try and figure out some of it.
Harry Potter - Harry is, of course, a common name; JKR says she chose the last name "Potter" because she had friends growing up with that surname. She says she always liked it.
Hermione Granger - Hermione was a figure in Greek mythology, although this has no bearing on her personality. JKR says she chose an uncommon name so that know-it-alls wouldn't be teased because they had the same name as Hermione.
Ron Weasley - Although JKR denied that the legend of a warlord named Running Weasel had anything to do with Ron, the two are eerily the same. Running Weasel was a brilliant tactician who, interestingly enough, never lost a game of chess. Unfortunately, he was killed when a rat that had, according to legend, been dyed yellow by some troops looking for fun, knocked over a lamp and burned down the palace.
Rubeus Hagrid - In Greek mythology, Rubeus was the god of jewels until Hades framed him for the death of a hero and he was banned from Olympus. However, Zeus let him come back, but he never had the power he did before.
Albus Dumbledore - "Albus" means "white" and "dumbledore" is an old English word for "bumblebee." JKR says she always pictured him walking down the halls, humming a bit of tune, like a bumblebee.
Fawkes - Hee hee, any Brit who doesn't have amnesia should know this. Guy Fawkes was a man who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament - there's now a holiday to commemorate his getting busted, complete with fireworks. Get it? Phoenix? Fireworks? Good, I thought you were dim. (Don't laugh, Yanks - some of your holidays are pretty silly too. A big affair in November - right? - just 'cause some pilgrims made it through the winter. Sheesh.)
Draco Malfoy - Draco was a cruel and harsh Athenian lawmaker; the word can also mean "dragon" in Latin. "Malfoy" means "bad faith," "mistakes" or "bad decisions."
Lucius Malfoy - "Lucius" is possibly derived from "Lucifer," the devil. It also brings to mind the word "Vicious."
Narcissa Malfoy - Narcissus was a man in a Greek legend who was so handsome that when he saw his own reflection he fell in love with himself. Therefore, Narcissa is probably selfish, arrogant, and vain. (Narcissa... meet Gilderoy. Gilderoy, Narcissa.)
Tom Marvolo Riddle/Lord Voldemort - Aside from the infamous anagram of Book II, Vol de mort translates from French as either "flight of death" or "thief of death." Is it any coincidence, then, that his followers are known as "Death Eaters?"
The Dursleys - Dursley is a small town in England and that's all I know.
Minerva McGonagall - Minerva was the Roman goddess of wisdom, derived from the Greek goddess Athena.
Severus Snape - "Severus," obviously, can be "severe" or "sever." It was also a popular Roman name. Snape is a small town in England, unless I'm much mistaken.
Sibyll Trelawney - Sibyll has its roots in Greek; a prophet or diviner.
Remus Lupin - Remus and his brother Romulus are part of a Roman legend; they were abandoned as babies and raised by a wolf. Later, Romulus killed Remus and went on to found Rome. The scientific classification of the grey wolf is Canis Lupus, so therefore Lupin would mean wolf-like.
Wingardium Leviosa (Levitating Charm) - "Wingardium" = "wing" and "leviosa" = "levitation."
Lumos (Light) - "Luminous"
Expelliarmus (Disarming) - "Expel" means "to get rid of" and "arms" are weapons.
Tarantellegra (Forces victim to dance) - A Tarantella is a quick Italian dance
Mobiliarbus (spell Hermione used to move Christmas tree in Three Broomsticks) - Mobili = "mobile," or "move," and "arbus" refers to trees
Impedamenta (Impediment Jinx) - Hm, could this get any more obvious? Look at the names!
Finite Incantatem (stops a spell) - "Finite" = "finish" and "incantatem" = "spell."
Priori Incantatem/Prior Incantato - "Priori/Prior" = "Prior" means "before," so Prior Incantato is Past Spell in Latin( NOTE: Prior Incantato is the singular form of Priori Incantatem, so they are essentially the same spell, only Prior Incantato causes only the last "echo" to come out)
Imperio (Imperius Curse) - This one is easy. "Imperio" obviously stems directly from "Imperious," which is an adjective meaning commanding or domineering.
Crucio (Cruciatus Curse) - This one is open to interpretation. Crucio could come from crucifixion, an ancient Roman execution method that was extremely painful. It could also simply stem from the word "excruciating," most often used with "excruciating pain."
Avada Kedavra (Killing Curse) - Uh, could somebody PLEASE tell me what this means?! I know it means something, JKR said so herself! *rips her hair out because she doesn't know every language in the world* If ya know, tell me here
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