elf names (was Re: Winkies & House Elves)

[Morag Traynor]

No: HPFGUIDX 17403

Trina wrote:

>I have my own query about the house-elves, regarding to their names.
>Both Dobby and Winky have diminutized names--they both end in 'y'.
>Little kids learning language (at least in English) have a tendency
>to put "ee" sound at the end of words (horsie, doggie, mummy, daddy)
>because it is easier to say rather than final consonants.  Anyway, to
>my point.  Are all house-elves names similar? If so, is it another
>way that wizards consider them 'child-like' and keep them under
>control?

This struck me as well.  I doubt if it's a conscious policy, but it does 
recall the ladies who would re-name their housemaids with a "suitable" name 
if they had the temerity to have any unusual name, or one more common in the 
upper classes.  Perhaps elf-names are like pet names and grow out of what 
the children call them - they have an affectionate sound as well.  
Interesting in this context that Dobby refers to Ron as Harry's "Wheezy".  
Perhaps house-elves have quite different names among themselves.
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