For this week's edition of Weekly Geeks, we're going to take a closer look at character names. What are some of your favorite character names?
Go to Google or a baby name site like this one or this one, and look up a favorite character's name. What does their name mean? Do you think the meaning fits the character? Why or why not?
If you'd like, look up your own name as well and share the meaning.
I've always been fascinated with character names. They can be so varied. Sometimes they don't take a real meaning (take Jane Austen, where there are so many Marys and Elizabeths and Annes), but most of the times they do have a meaning, and it's fun to find it out.
Some of my favourite characters are those in the Harry Potter series. In particular, I love both Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. They're just special to me: Hermione because I'm a lot like her, and Ron because... how can you not love Ron? (Well, apparently you can, considering how many Ron-haters there are around, but I'd like to disregard them for the moment).
So, here we are with the origin of their names:
"Hermione" comes from the Greek language, and is the feminine version of Hermes, the name of the messenger god. In Greek mythology, Hermione was a daughter of Menelaus and Helen. Whilst her parents were away fighting, Hermione was being raised by her aunt, Clytemnestra. Hermione is also a character in Shakespeare's play "The Winter's Tale". I think this is an appropriate name for my favourite bookworm. Also, as Hermione's parents are dentists, it seems suitable that they would choose a fancy name for their only daughter.
Ron (Ronald), on the other hand, comes from old Norse and means "Ruler's counselor." It has an Arthurian feel to it (I can't exactly remember why). It goes well with his father's name, Arthur, and his younger sister's name Ginevra. The meaning is also appropriate as Ron is Harry's best friend and the first person he usually goes for help.
My own name, Alessandra, also comes from Greek and is the female Italian version of Alexandros, meaning "he who defends men". My mother loved (still loves) the name, which I suppose was quite popular in Italy in the early 1980s.
So here we are. Have a nice weekend and happy Weekly Geeks!
13 Comments:
I think your mother gave you a beautiful name :)
- and I also enjoy all the funny and original names of the Potter books. They certainly appeal to my imagination, and I try to remember the Latin I learned several years ago.
Favorite names:
Shori- main character;female in Fledgling by Octavia Butler
Noah- main character;female. Short story by Octavia Butler about co-existence with other beings.
Turtle- daughter of Taylor in The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
Staggerlee- main character;female in The House You Pass On The Way by Jacqueline Woodson
Melanin- main character;male. From The Notebooks of Melanin Sun by Jacqueline Woodson.
All the names suited the characters. All are memorable. I have a lousy memory but I recall all these characters easily because of their names and personalities.
I too like the HP series.
You know I like your name a lot.
Names and names
You do have a beautiful name and your other choices are great, too :)
I like the name Hermione too. My post is here.
I like the Weasley bit of Ron's name. It is so unlikely!
I Love the Harry Potter series for their names. They're just so clever.
I agree with Rebecca -- the whole Harry Potter series has a lot of really brilliant and accurate names for characters. I mean Severus Snape, even without looking up the meaning you get "severe" and and this sort of slimy and creepy vibe just from the alliteration. Very cool post.
Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)
You picked great names to research and I enjoyed reading your post! I must say that you have a beautiful name too.
*smiles*
Kim
I love all the names in the HP books, I did them for my WG as well. and you name is beautiful, it feels very feminine.
oooh, great choices with the HP characters! I've always thought Hermione was an interesting choice!
Check out the Shakespearean meaning of the name Hermione at http://www.allthebabynames.com/BabyName/Shakespearean/Hermione.aspx
I sometimes research character's names by going to sites like that to make sure the name fits my characters. My daughter's name means 'worthy to be loved' and she's the sweetest thing that ever lived. My son's name means 'Carrier of the beacon' or something similar and he is one of the most lighthearted, funny men you will ever meet. Sorry about the rant. :-)
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