Sirius and Remus (More names..., Severus Snape)

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 98203

June wrote: 
> 
> Of course, JKR could have any number of reasons for giving her 
> character the name Severus.  "Classical" sounding names seems to be 
> popular among the pureblooded (not that we know for sure Snape is 
> pureblooded - it may have been that his parents were just 
wanabees) - 
> Lucius, Regulus, Sirius, Draco all are Latin derived.  Severus and 
> Snape together make a good sibilant, and Severus certainly sounds 
> strict.  I suspect the main design was to just make him sound a bit 
> scary for the kids.

Potioncat:
That was a very interesting post!  Several others have sent in 
excellent background information...Oh the things I'm learning from 
Harry Potter!

I think you're probably right about the "reason" for the name.  I 
would guess as she was browsing for names, that one jumped out for 
Snape! 

Someone commented whether the name should be Severe -us or Sever - 
us.  In my PoA on tape, it's Sever us.  How is it pronounced in the 
British version on tape? Or has anyone heard JKR pronounce it?

And on another note, a few months ago someone suggested that Alan 
Rickman is the reason there are so many Snape supporters.  Most of us 
denied it, but I have to admit, the Snape as read on this tape is not 
at all appealing!
Potioncat