The Sacred Power in your name

[Vivienne O'Regan]

No: HPFGUIDX 1214

 "Pam Scruton" <Pam at barkingdog.demon.co.uk> wrote:

Penny Linsenmayer  <linsenma at h...> wrote:
>
>> Nope!  It's not.  It can be a short form of Henry, but is virtually
>> never a short form for Harold.  The more common short form of
>>Harold is  Hal.

>Oh well, I must be an incredibly lucky person then if it is virtually
>never a short form for Harold because I personally know six of them,
>one of whom is 85 years old.  I also personally know two Henrys, one
>of whom is known as Harry and the other is known as Rocky.  (Both of
>whom were born around the same time as Prince Henry who is known as
>Harry.)  I don't personally know anybody known as Hal at all
>(although I do know *of* one and I do personally know a horse of that
>name - owner is a Shakespeare fan and the Hal isn't short for
>anything).

>My experience as a Brit living in various parts of the UK at some
>time or another but currently in Scotland is that Harry can be, and
>often is, short for both Harold and Henry.

This is my experience as well. IMHO, very few kids would want to be
named either, and a shortened form is more appropriate.

I grew up with two grandfathers, both christened Harold, both
known as Harry. Looking it up on a number of baby name lists
(example: http://www.babynames.com/) also gives this and the meaning
for Harry which is synonymous with that of Harold.  I found it
interesting that the meaning of Hedwig - battling - related to this
meaning as well. Penny referred to Harry as anglicized 'Henri'. This
suggests post-1066 - remembering the last Anglo-Saxon
king was named Harold.

I would also agree that some people now are just named 'Harry', 
just as you find people with birth names such as Ray, Debbie or 
Judy, which in times past would have been nicknames for more 
formal sounding name.

As to why 'Harry' might have been chosen. Rowling does appear to enjoy
the sounds of names. . Both Harry & Potter strike me as very English and
down-to-earth names with a pleasant sound.


Vivienne