The significance of first names in HP books.

[b.jebenstreit at biologie.uni-bielefeld.de]

No: HPFGUIDX 27902

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Ginny Gryffindor" <ginnygryff at e...> wrote:
I wonder, why "Hermione"?  All I know is that Hermione
>      is Helen's daughter, and wife to Neoptolemus (did I spell that
>      right?) and later, Orestes.  (I sincerely hope I didn't mess up
>      on that.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.).  Any ideas?


The mythical Hermione was supposed to be very wise and learned - I
guess that is the reason for becoming our Hermione´s namesake. The
mythical Hermione died a tragic death - I severly hope this will *not*
happen to ours.

My favourite name game is Lily and Petunia. A friend of mine (who is
more into botany than I) pointed out to me that the lily and the
petunia are in the same biological family - whose name translates as
"Nightshadow" plants. And, get this - they are the only ones in that
family that are relatively harmless. All other plants in this family
are highly poisonous! The petunia is not very special or beatiful if
you compare it to the lily - which is also true for the sisters.

Another flower name is Narcissa Malfoy. The Narcissus of Greek
mythology was a veeerrrryyyy handsome young men - and very much in
love with himself. One day he came to a river and saw his own flace
reflected. He was soooo enchanted by his looks that he just stood
there until some god transformed him into the same named flower. That
is where the word narcistic comes from.
Ethanol