JKR punning names (was: New Member and question)

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 160714

Stacey:
> I must confess, with similar embarassment, that due to her 
> character's bizarre behavior and name, I very much expected that
> Luna Lovegood would turn out to be a werewolf, vampire or have
> some other lunar-referenced mystical affliction.  Turns out (so
> far)she's just odd :o)

 
Charles: 
> But Luna *is* a space case, so I do think her name would count. 

Jen: Another one to add to the list for Luna is the luna moth. Once 
they emerge from their cocoons they live for one week and are 
considered to be a 'rare find' if actually seen in nature. That 
description reminded me of Luna, always optimistic she will see one 
of her rare (nonexistent?) finds.  And she is quite the rare one 
herself! I would love to see one of her creatures turn out to be 
real and prove Hermione wrong. 

Unfortuantely, if Luna's name was inspired by the luna moth, that 
might not bode well for her future. Like things didn't bode well for 
Bode <g>. Ok, stop me now.

Jordan (post # 160709)
> Such as... lunacy? That is to say, she's perceived as insane in
> some way, and insanity has traditionally been associated with the
> moon. 

Jen: Lunacy can also denote someone who is eccentric, which does fit 
Luna perfectly. Like you said, the word was tied to phases of the 
moon and possibly was a way to describe cyclical mood disorders. 
It's hard not to think of the colloquial "loony bin" when you hear 
her nickname, though I think JKR uses chose that more to show the 
bias of the other students than to describe how she personally views 
Luna.