Latin in Harry Potter--Arabella Figg

[mrflynn6]

No: HPFGUIDX 42620

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., wrote:
> > Eloise:
> >
> > 
> >
> > Why does *everything* have to be derived from Latin? There are 
lots
> of
> > wizards whose names don't have Latin derivations.
> 
> > > 
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About 90% of English words (and most European languages for that 
matter) have roots in the latin language.  That is why the Latin 
derivitive is so important or could be so important.

I found some more translations I thought were very interesting.

Potter (which JKR said it was the name of old neighbors she liked-but 
I am sure she knew this too) means "to have great power"

Minerva is the Roman Goddess of Wisdom

Avada Kedavra-without spelling changes= to take away breath

Ludo (as in Bagman)= to play sports

Back to the Dumbledore Latin meaning, the old English word of 
bumblebee probably has significance, but I also think that if you 
look at the Latin to give birth to or to send to die will also have 
significance.  JKR has made a few references in interviews to Harry 
not living past book 7 (when asked if she was going to write more 
than 7 books about Harry Potter).

Most of the names of the wizards do have roots in Latin, either first 
or last name.  It is just a matter of figuring out the root word of 
the name and discovering that.

Gretchen