Web Site for HP Name Meanings (WAS: Harry's name)

[erisedstraeh2002]

No: HPFGUIDX 47217

Christine asked:

> The discussion of names has got me wondering, what does Harry 
> Potter mean? Anyone have a book of names and their meanings--what 
> does Harry mean?  Does Potter mean anything in any language?

and Eloise (eloiseherisson) responded:

> The meanings of the names of HP characters have been chewed over 
> many times on this list, but as there isn't a Names FP yet, I'm not 
> sure where to send you. Perhaps someone on the FAQ list has 
> recently catalogued a relevant outbreak of name meaning-itis?
> 
> As for Harry's name, JKR has stated that he is Harry because it's 
> her favourite boy's name and that if she had had a son that is what 
> he would have been called and Harry Potter would have had a 
> different name. Potter is the name of a family she knew when she 
> was a child. I choose to take this at face value, though not 
> everyone does. 

Now me:

I happen to agree with Eloise - there are a lot of names in the 
series that have significant hidden meanings, but I don't think Harry 
Potter's name is one of them (although there is a James Henry Trotter 
in Dahl's "James and the Giant Peach" whose parents die in a freak 
accident, is left to be raised by his two horrid aunts (one of whom 
is bony) and discovers magic...James Henry Trotter, Harry James 
Potter...).

There's a great web site for HP name meanings if you're interested:

http://www.theninemuses.net/hp/

~Phyllis