Latin in the Harry Potter Books

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall Minerva is the Roman goddess of wisdom, courage, and justice. Minerva is also known as the Greek goddess Athena, who turned a girl (Arachne) into a spider. Minerva McGonagall is the professor of transfiguration.

Draco Malfoy

Draco Malfoy Draco = Latin for dragon, which comes from the Greek word “drakon,” meaning serpent. The word “draconian” means “unusually severe or cruel.” Malfoy from the Latin “malum,” meaning “bad” and the French “foi,” which comes from “fidēs” and means trust, belief, or faith.

Severus Snape

Severus Snape Sevērus = means stern or harsh in Latin This description fit his character well as he interacts with Harry in a harsh manner. Factoid: In ancient Rome, there was an emperor named Septimius Severus who brutally murdered dozens of people.

Dolores Umbridge

Dolores Umbridge Dolores comes from the Latin “dolor,” which means “pain” or “sorrow.” Umbridge caused Harry great physical and emotional pain in various detentions. “Umbra” in Latin means “shadow.” One could argue that her presence creates a dark cloud over the castle.

Sirius Black

Sirius Black Sirius = in astronomy, it is known as the “Dog Star” and is the brightest star in its constellation, Canis Major (Big Dog) Of course, Sirius is an animagus* who turns into a big, black dog.

Animagus Animagus, by the way, comes from the Latin animus, which means soul or mind, and magus, which is a sorcerer or magician. Animagus is also a double play-on-words as these wizards turn into animals, as animus is the Latin word for animal

Ludo Bagman Lūdō = means “I play” in Latin Lūdī means “games” Ludo Bagman was the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports in the fourth book, which begins with the Quidditch World Cup.

Rubeus Hagrid

Rubeus Hagrid Rubeus = derived from the Latin “rubus,” meaning “briar” or “bramble.” This describes his hair and overall appearance. Rubeō is also a Latin word meaning “to blush,” which is appropriate given that Hagrid often says something he shouldn’t. Also note the color of Hagrid’s umbrella.

Hermione Granger

Hermione Granger Hermione was the daughter of Helen of Troy, the beauty that caused all that trouble in the Trojan War. Hermione (daughter of Helen) was loved by Orestes and Neoptolemus. In Book 4, Hermione was loved by what two men?

Hermione Granger The name Hermione derives from Hermes, the Greek messenger God. Among other things, Hermes was the god of oratory, wit, and cunning. Hermione’s initials are HG. What element is Hg? Factoid: Hermione’s parents were dentists. Historically, dentists used a mercury amalgam in fillings.

nox = night, darkness (no light) Spells and Charms Lumos lūmen = light, daylight Nox nox = night, darkness (no light)

expellere = to drive out, expel Spells and Charms Expelliarmus expellere = to drive out, expel arma = weapons

incantātum = charmed, enchanted Spells and Charms Finite Incantatem fīnītum = end incantātum = charmed, enchanted

Spells and Charms Mobilicorpus mōbilis = movable corpus = body

Spells and Charms Levicorpus levāre = to lift corpus = body

“I shield” or “I protect” Spells and Charms Prōtegō “I shield” or “I protect”

Assignment Search through all seven Harry Potter books and find at LEAST 10 Latin-based charms. In the first column, write the charm. In the second column, write the purpose of the charm (what does it do?). In the third column, provide the Latin roots and meanings. Be sure to explain each Latin root in the charm (some have more than one). Extra credit: Analyze a character’s name and explain the mythology or Latin meaning behind the name, tying it into the character’s actions or personality.