Discover the origins of names in Harry Potter -- Greek, Celtic, Norse, Roman and more. Includes Cursed Child!

1. Names from Myth:Names from Myth:
Greek, Roman, Celtic,Greek, Roman, Celtic,
and Moreand More

2. • Rowling explains in Short Stories from Hogwarts of
Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies, “A very
great variety of first names are given to children by their
wizard parents, some of them being what we might
think of as Muggle names (e.g. James, Harry, Ronald),
others giving a distinct flavour of the personality or
destiny of the bearer (e.g. Xenophilius, Remus, Alecto).”
(Kindle Locations 518-520).

3. • Rowling adds that these “destined names” are
actually chosen after consulting with destiny,
explaining, “A certain sector of magical society,
however, follows the ancient wizarding practice of
consulting a Naming Seer, who (usually for a hefty
payment of gold) will predict the child’s future and
suggest an appropriate moniker.” Presumably, this is
why Remus Lupin is so-named before he’s even
bitten.
(Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and
Dangerous Hobbies, Kindle Locations 523-524).

4. GreekGreek
NamesNames
• Hermione Granger
• Hermes, Percy’s owl
• Alastor Moody
• Argus Filch
• Sybill Trelawny
• Alecto Carrow
• Amycus Carrow
• Merope Gaunt
• Nymphadora Tonks
• Andromeda Tonks
• Xenophilius Lovegood
• Delphini

5. Roman Gods and LatinRoman Gods and Latin
NamesNames
• Pomona Sprout
• Minerva McGonagall
• Silvanus Kettleburn
• Septima Vector (Arithmancy)
• Quirinus Quirrel
• Remus Lupin
• Aurora Sinistra (Astronomy)
• Albus Dumbledore
• Luna Lovegood

6. Roman SkiesRoman Skies
• Stars: Bellatrix Lestrange, Sirius Black, Alphard
Black, Arcturus Black, Pollux Black, and
Regulus Black
• Constellations: Draco Malfoy, Scorpius
Malfoy, Andromeda Tonks, Cassiopeia
Black, Cygnus Black, and Orion Black

7. Roman SkiesRoman Skies

8. IndiaIndia
• The pantheons themselves weren’t a strong match, but
there are a few particular references to consider.
• Parvati is the wife of the god Shiva, known for her
courage (the perfect Gryffindor).
• “Padma” refers to Saraswati, the goddess of intellect
(the perfect Ravenclaw).
• Nagin is used for the female snake in Hindi, while Nagini’s
power parallels the mythic nagas, or snake-people of
tales.

9. Celtic CorrespondencesCeltic CorrespondencesDumbledore The Dagda: The All father, god of the arts, knowledge,
magic, prophecy, prosperity, and regeneration
Rubeus Hagrid Rudiobus, the Celtic god of horses
Filius Flitwick Sucellos, the Celtic 'good striker' and smith god
Gilderoy Lockhart Angus Og, the beautiful male god of love
Minerva
McGonagall
Brighid, the triple goddess of healing, poetry and
smithcraft
Severus Snape Lugh, the tormented god of healing, reincarnation,
prophecy, knowledge, and revenge. He was forbidden to
wed any woman and his flower wife betrayed him for
another. His sign was the white stag.
Madam Rosmerta Rosmerta "The Great Provider“: Celtic Goddess of fertility
and wealth.
Sybill Trelawny Corra, Goddess of Prophecy, transcendent knowledge,
and transitions. The rune stones, crystal balls, and tarot
cards were her symbols.
Dolores Umbridge
and the Carrows
The triple war goddesses Badb/ Madb/Macha
Mad-Eye Moody Balor of the Evil Eye
Isolt’s ancestor is
“the famous Irish
witch Morrigan”
This “Animagus whose creature form was a crow” was
actually a goddess in Celtic myth.
Peter Pettigrew Nuada of the Silver Hand could use it as well as his living
one. He was toppled from his throne because he was no
longer whole.
James Potter Cernunnos the stag, a forest god who dies each year in
the sacred marriage only to return more powerful.

10. ArthurianArthurian
• “Merlin” and “Morgana” famous wizard cards.
• The magic ceiling above Hogwarts’ Great Hall is an exact copy of the ceiling
above Arthur’s Round Table.
• As Arthur was the only one who could pull the sword from the stone, so Harry is
the only one who could pull the Sorcerer’s Stone from his pocket.
• The Goblet of Fire, the graillike object Harry quests for
• Names: Ginevra (Italian for Guinevere), Arthur Weasley, Voldemort/MORdred,
and Percival.
• Percival, of course, offers the Arthurian link. He was a valiant fighter who
quested for the grail (or in Harry Potter’s world, the Horcruxes) but failed in his
goal. His teenage protégé Galahad succeeded, through immaculate faith
and goodness. Clear parallels appear here with the Dumbledore-Harry
relationship. Percival Dumbledore (father to Albus) and his namesake, Percy
Weasley, likewise appear as knights who fail, but leave others to battle and
complete the great quest against Voldemort
• Isolt Sayre, founder of Ilvermorny

11. The Hallows of BritainThe Hallows of Britain
The
Earliest
Hallows
Powers Later
Hallows
Tarot
Symbols
Grail Hallows Rowling’s Objects
Shining
spear of
Lugh
Provides
victory in
any fight
The Pole of
Combat
Spear or
Wand
Crucifixion Spear Elder Wand
Sword of
Nuadu
Always
destroys its
target
The Sword of
Light
Sword Broken Sword Godric’s Sword
Cauldron
of Dagda
Provides
endless
food
The
Cauldron of
Cure
Cup The Grail Hermione’s Beaded Bag
Stone of
Fal
Confers
kingship
The Stone of
Destiny
Pentacle Platter or Stone Resurrection Stone

12. The Thirteen Treasures of Britain, Arthurian
The
Arthurian
Hallows
The Mantle
of Arthur
The
Whetstone
of Tudwal
Tudglyd
The Chariot
of Morgan
the Wealthy
Dyrnwyn,
Sword of
Rhydderch
The Coat
of Padarn
Red-Coat
Chessboard
of Gwendd-
olau
Halter of
Clydno
Eiddyn
Other
Arthurian
Hallows
Ability Makes the
wearer
invisible
Ensures
death
follows
wounding.
Travels at
great speed
to any
location.
Bursts into
flame.
Identifies
those of
noble
birth.
Plays by
itself.
Calls
any horse
into it (for
summon-
ing aid).
Produce
and
prepare
food and
drink
Rowling Invisibility
cloak
Sword of
Gryffindor
Apparition Fiendfyre Sorting
Hat
Wizard
Chess
Sirius’s
Mirror
Beaded
Bag

13. VEFrankel.comVEFrankel.com