Wizarding nationalities

[Charybdis]

No: HPFGUIDX 141523

colebiancardi:
> > (who actually thinks Snape might be Italian, as his first name,
> > Severus, is very Latin/Roman)

Geoff:
> I think that there are several names in HP which can be linked to Latin
> or Greek roots which I do not think are necessarily indicators of
> nationality. In addition to Severus, examples which spring to mind
> include Minerva, Albus, Hermione, Dedalus, Draco and Lucius - which is
> not meant to be an exhaustive list by any means.


Charybdis's response:

I believe the many Latin-rooted names in HP have to do with their frequent
use of Latin in spellwork, as well as in scientific names and terms in
herbology. I think it is quite possible that accomplished wizards must be
speakers of at least rudimentary Latin, and the influence of Latin/Greek
goes into many facets of their culture, including wizard-folk names. It's
also possible that those who are serious about studying magical creatures
study mythology a great deal, and so they are also familiar with Greek.

In conclusion, I don't think it necessarily means any of them are or are not
Italian/Greek/etc. There are a few possible reasons why they have
Latin/Greek influenced names.

--
Charybdis