In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a name is more than what the character makes it. The name makes the character. Many authors take precious time to make sure they choose just the right name to convey what they want, and J.K. Rowling is no exception. Sometimes, choosing the name is the most difficult part of writing a character.
Names can be made up or taken from an author's own childhood or influences. They can be used as fun little discoveries or to hide deep secret revelations in plain sight.
Rubeus Hagrid
The name Rubeus finds its origins in the Latin word "Rubeo," which means "to blush," to "be ruddy," and to "be red." The name Hagrid could be in reference to the word "hagridden," meaning "to be worried," and to have "a bad night."
This reveals a lot about Hagrid's personality, as his physical size and appearance can give people the wrong idea. In fact, Hagrid has a sweet and gentle nature, constantly worrying about what he says and does.
Draco Malfoy
The name Draco is Latin for the word "dragon." It also appears in the Hogwarts school motto: "draco dormiens nunquam titillandus" which means "never tickle a sleeping dragon."
The name Malfoy has French origins. "Mal" is French for "evil," and Foy is really "foi," meaning "faith." The entire Malfoy family believes in pure-blood supremacy and follows The Dark Lord.
Sirius Black & Remus Lupin
These names are fun and playful in what they reveal about their characters. The name Sirius is in reference to the brightest star in the night sky, also known as the "dog star," and is part of the Alpha Canis Majoris, the Great Dog constellation. The word is derived from the Greek word "seirios," meaning "glowing" or "scorching." Sirius's Animagus is a black dog.
The name Remus finds its origin in the Roman myth "Romulus and Remus." Lupin comes from the Latin word "lupinus," meaning wolf, and everyone knows that Remus Lupin is a werewolf.
Severus Snape
The name Severus has its origins in Latin, meaning "severe, stern, or harsh." The connection isn't hard to make, with the Professor being known for his strict and severe mannerisms, teaching methods, and no-nonsense demeanor.
The name Snape could be in reference to the word "sneap," meaning to "snub" or "rebuke," or the Old Norse "sneypa," which means "to outrage, dishonor, disgrace."
Minerva McGonagall
Minerva's Latin meaning is "the mind." The name Minerva also has a place in mythology, and is the Roman equivalent of the Greek Goddess of warriors and wisdom, Athena.
As for McGonagall, Pottermore references Rowling's thoughts on the name. "William McGonagall is celebrated as the worst poet in British history. There was something irresistible to me about this name, and the idea that such a brilliant woman might be a distant relative of the buffoonish McGonagall."
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Albus Dumbledore is a man of many layers, a complex man, so it's pretty fitting that he has so many names. Albus is Latin for "white," which could be a reference to his flowing locks. Percival comes from The Legend Of King Arthur and he was one of the Knights Of The Round Table - a brave knight who searched and was given a glimpse of The Holy Grail. Its French meaning is "one who pierces the valley."
Wulfric is an Anglo-Saxon name, roughly translating to "wolf," "rich," and "powerful." Brian means "noble," in Old Celtic, while Dumbledore means "bumblebee," in Old English. All of these names reveal Dumbledore's qualities of being a powerful, wise, gentle, and brave wizard - a wizard, who like the knight Percival, is a legend.
Lord Voldemort
Lord Voldemort is an anagram of "Tom Marvolo Riddle." Tom was named after his muggle father, a man he despised and murdered. Tom also means twin in Aramaic, which could be a reference to his connection with Harry Potter.
His middle name, Marvolo, comes from his pure-blood grandfather, Marvolo Gaunt. Tom stole the Gaunt ring and turned it into one of his Horcruxes, unaware that it held The Resurrection Stone. The name Voldemort was created by J.K. Rowling and has French origins, roughly translating to "flight of death."
Ronald Bilius Weasley
Ron, or his true name, Ronald, means "rules with counsel." The Scottish take on the name is Ragnvaldr, which roughly means "advice or counsel." Ron is a part of The Golden Trio and Harry's partner in crime - the Sam to his Frodo.
His middle name, Bilius, was given to him after his uncle, Bilius Weasley, who died 24 hours after seeing A Grim. Bilius is also a reference to bilious, a word meaning "ill-tempered" or "irritated."
Hermione Jean Granger
Hermione Jean Granger is The Brightest Witch Of Her Age. Her name is, or was, uncommon when Rowling created the character, and it says a lot about Hermione's parents and their witty, clever nature.
The name Hermione finds its origins in Greek Mythology, as Hermione is the daughter of King Menelaus of Sparta and his wife, Helen of Troy. Hermione is also a name in Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale. Granger is of French and Old English origins.
Harry James Potter
Harry James Potter is The Chosen One, The Boy Who Lived, and the wizard destined to kill The Dark Lord. That's a lot of pressure for a boy of 11 who just found out he's a wizard. But he was always destined to be something great.
His ordinary name isn't all that ordinary. Pottermore revealed that the name "Harry" is the Middle English version of the name Henry, a name held by many English rulers. Harry and its variations mean "power," "army," "ruler," and "home." And all fans know that Harry's middle name is James, after his father.