imagine my suprize when I got on and saw that I started a thread called "meaning of name". Thanks, Violet! Sorry I got so off-topic on the other one.
Using the Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter (a great book, if ya like HP theories, spend the $$ and get the book, it's awesome), I am listing a few possible meanings of names they come up with, some verified by J.K. Rowling, some not:
Privet Drive: "Privet" means ornamental shrub (a natural name for a well-cared for Suburban street), but in French, which J.K. Rowling taught, it would be pronounced like "privè", meaning
confidential or
private life.
Potter: J.K.Rowling's first book was called
Rabbit (she was 6 years old.) A famous Potter in England was Beatrix Potter, author of the
Peter Rabbit books. Poter was also the name of J.K. Rowling's childhood friends. The word "potter" relates to a
potter's field (a burial ground) for people of unknown identity and without money, and Harry is seemingly a penniless orphan.
Harry: The definition means
assault or
torment. Guess if you're Voldemort that's appropriate. Harry is also a common nickname for Henry. In an interview, J.K. Rowling tells us that Harry's middle name is "James".
Albus Dumbledore (who is presumably to resemble Merlin or Gandalf): Albus is Latin for "white", a tribute to his silver hair and beard. According to a J.K. Rowling interview, his last name comes from an Olde English word
bumblebee, which she chose becuse she likes to think of him as "always on the move, humming to himself." (Bumblebees also have a mighty stinger if they're threatened.)
Minerva - the Roman name for Athena
, the Greek goddess of learning, wisdom, wr and crafts. Athena also is famous for morphing herself and others into clever disguises (how appropriate for an animagus and transfiguration teacher!)
Petunia - the petunia (flower) represents anger and resentment
Lily - (already talked about). I should mention, most lilies are lovely, but they only bloom for a short period of time.
James: purely speculation, but could this be a tribute to King James, who united England and Scotland? Could James Potter somehow be responsible for reuniting wizards?
Mrs. Figg:
fig means "not literal" and, of course, a fig leave is "something that conceals and camoflauges"
Voldemort: In French, "vol de mort" means "flight from death". Many of the Danish kings (long history of brtal conflicts with England) had the suname Valdema and Shakespeare even drew from them to create his character nme Voltemand.
Hagrid: may be a derivation of haggard. Also brings up images of Hagar in the
Hagar the Horrible comic strip. Hagar is a burly, intimidating Viking warrior, who is a regular family man, powerless around females,, and loves his dog and tankard. Hagrid's title, "Keeper of the Keys" in the French version (Le Guardien des clès) could also be translated to "Keeper of the Clues."
Gringott - combination of the French word "gringou" or "skin flint or miser" and "ingot" which is a nugget of precious metals.
Quirrell: probably a play on words of "squirrel" since he is nervous and his movements are "squirrelly".
Diagon Alley - a parallel world that intersects the Muggle world "diagonally"
Ollivander: In French, the word "olivatre" means sallow or olive-colored. In German, "van der" means from the [olive]. Could the olive reference be a reference to ancient Athens (Greece), or something else?
Weasley: sounds lie weasel, which are crafty little furballs that are very good at getting out of inconvenient situations
Draco Malfoy: Draco, is Latin for serpent (or dragon) and a very famous Draco in history is from Greece. Draco, or Drakon, was the first law-giver of Athens, whose laws were amous for promoting the death penalty. In French, "mal" mean bad, evil or sick, and "foi" (faith or trust), to be bad or evil faith. The French translation calls him Malefoy, sounding like "malefique", definately an evil name.
Hedwig: (verified by J.K. Rowling) St. Hedwig is the patron saint for a religious order that helps abandoned and orphaned children.
Percy: most likely named for Percival of the Holy Grail, who let his mother and uncle die when he could have stopped their deaths. A derivation is the French (Perce a val) and means "to take a middle road".
Snape: J.K. Rowling revealed in an interview that she got his name from a town. It also sounds like "snipe" (which is what he does to Harry with his mean attacks).... off-topic, the same place that tells the meaning of his name says she's told us in interviews that he's 35 or 36 years old at the beginning of the series
Argus Filch: Argus is a monster from Greek mythology who had 100 eyes and was a guardian used by the legendary gods (Filch always seems to have eyes everywhere).
Dobby: an uncommon version describing a
hobgoblin
Gilderoy: could be gilde-roy, interpreted to mean
gilded king. Something that is gilded would ave a veneer or gold, but be plain underneath, as in fake gold jewelry. "Ro" is
king in French.
Arthur: most likely taken from King Artur. Also, the name Arthur Weasley rolls off the tongue to sound jus like Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington (also known as the "Iron Duke"). Just like HP's Arthur, he worked in the government and was an important General.
Lucius: very much like "Lucifer". It is also the name of Pope St. Lucius I, who became Pope when the exiled St. Cornelius died (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). Another namesake could be Lucius Verus, a Roman general who became co-emperor.
Spellotape: (I thought this was funny) In Britain, the brand name for adhesive (cellophane) tape is Sellotape.
Marcus Flint (Slytherin's Quidditch captain): the book has some theories about the name, I just thought it was interesting that the material, flint, ignites wood (Flint makes Oliver Wood angry)
squib: means
a firework that just fizzles or "dud". Filch is a wizarding dud.
Aragog: a few possibilities. The Bible refers to Gog and Magog being bad guys. The name also sounds very similar to
The Lord of the Rings Aragorn. Could Aragog be a decendant from a very powerful ancient race?
Hogsmeade: two words put together. A hogshead is a barrel, while mead is ale. Great name for a recreational town.
Sirius: the name f a star in the constellaion Canus Major (canus means "dog" in Latin). It is the brightest star in the sky, and even has a nickname:
The Dog Star
Wormtail: a hint that he may be the prophesized servant of the Dark Lord - Reference
Lord of the Rings Wormtongue
Narcissa: (already covered the flower meaning). In Greek legend, Narcissus had fallen so in love with his own reflection that he coul't stop looking at himself and pining away. The gods took pity on im an turned him into a flower that would sit by the water. We can assume Narcissa is vain.
Winky - "Winkies" are the names of the flying monkeys in
The Wizard of Oz, servant slaves of the Wicked Witch. They are freed by Dorothy after she melts the witch.
Madam Maxime: derived from the word "maximum" or largest of a group or set. It's also a pun, as in French, the word "maxime" means maxim, which refers to rules and conduct. Very appropriate for a headmistress.
