Learning Latin Through "Harry Potter" Names Quiz

Answer: Colours

"Albus" means "white" - a reference to Dumbledore's spiritual, ascetic nature. On the other hand, "rubeus" (a synonym of "ruber") means "red" or "reddish" - a reference to Hagrid's fiery, emotional nature, and maybe also his penchant for strong drink (which would turn his nose red). English words such as "albino" and "ruby" are related to these Latin words. J.K. Rowling meant for these two characters to represent the red (base metal) and white (gold) in alchemy.

Another character with a colour-related given name is Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour, whose name means "red-haired": in fact, he is described as having a lion-like "mane of tawny hair".

Answer: Regulus Black

Like his older brother Sirius and most other members of the Black family, Regulus Black was named after a star - in this case, the brightest in the constellation Leo, also known as Alpha Leonis or "Heart of the Lion". In Latin, Regulus is the diminutive of "rex, regis", literally meaning "little king", and often translated as "ruler of a small country", "princeling", or "chieftain". Regulus is also the Latin name for the mythical monster known as basilisk ("little king" in Greek) - so named because of a white spot on its head that resembles a crown.

In Roman history, Marcus Atilius Regulus was a general and statesman who was captured by the Carthaginians in 255 BC, during the first Punic War.

Though Remus and Cornelius are also Latin names, Dedalus is the Latinized form of the Greek "Daidalos", the legendary craftsman who built the labyrinth in Crete.

Answer: Pains

A popular name in Spanish-speaking country, the given name Dolores is a reference to the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows ("Nuestra Señora de los Dolores"). However, the Spanish word is directly derived from Latin: "dolores" is the nominative plural of the noun "dolor, doloris", which means either "pain" or "sorrow". Not surprisingly, such a name was chosen by J.K. Rowling for the loathsome character of Dolores Jane Umbridge, who clearly enjoys inflicting pain and distress on others, particularly students.

Umbridge's surname also has Latin roots. Though meant as a pun on the English word "umbrage", it also contains the Latin word "umbra". From primarily indicating "shadow" or "shade", "umbra" also came to mean "ghost" or "suspicion".

Answer: Son

The diminutive but smart Charms master is named after the Latin word for "son"; "filia" is the corresponding feminine form ("daughter"). Professor Flitwick's given name is likely a reference to the alchemical symbol known as "filius philosophorum" ("philosophers' son"), another name for the philosopher's stone (which appears in the title of the series' first volume) - meaning something made by true philosophers. "Filius", which is also the root of the English words "filial" (pertaining or befitting a son or daughter) and "filiation" (derivation), may also refer to Professor Flitwick's attachment and loyalty to his Hogwarts family.

The Latin word for "brother" is "frater". "Patruus" is a paternal uncle, while "avunculus" is a maternal one. "Patruelis" is a paternal cousin, while a maternal cousin is "sobrinus" (male) or "sobrina" (female).

Answer: Fruit

Pomona was the Roman goddess of fruit trees, gardens, and orchards. Her name comes from "pomum", which means "fruit" or "fruit tree". The English word "pome", denoting fruits with a core such as apples and pears, is derived from "pomum". Pomona was a purely Roman goddess, with no Greek counterpart; she was often depicted with a curved pruning knife, symbolizing her role in the care of fruit trees. Both of Professor Sprout's names emphasize her connection to nature and vegetation.

Professor Minerva McGonagall is also named after a goddess, the Roman counterpart of the Greek Athena, the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. Professor Quirinus Quirrell, on the other hand, bears the name of an ancient Roman god of war who was later identified with Romulus, Rome's founder.

Answer: Strong

Probably the series' most complex character, Professor Severus Snape bears a name that reflects his personality as a teacher. The Latin adjective "severus" may be translated as "stern", "strict", "serious" or "harsh", and is the root of the English words "severe" and "severity". In addition, it was also a Roman "cognomen" (third name): the Severan imperial dynasty, founded by Lucius Septimius Severus, ruled the Roman Empire between 193 and 235. Since a "cognomen" was a kind of nickname (which later became hereditary), it was also a reflection of Septimius Severus' character - at least from the point of view of Christians and Jews, who were harshly persecuted during his reign, and also of his rivals for the throne, who were disposed of.

Latin has a number of words for "strong" - such as "fortis", "robustus" and "validus" - but "severus" is not one of them.

Answer: Left

Sinistra is the feminine form of the adjective "sinister", which means "left" (or, more accurately, "on the left side"). In Latin, "sinister" also had the meaning of "bad" or "adverse" - hence the meaning ("ominous") of the same word in modern English. The name Sinistra is also occasionally used for a star in the constellation Ophiuchus, officially known as Nu Ophiuchi. In Italian, the feminine noun "sinistra" means "left".

Professor Sinistra's given name, Aurora, is never mentioned in the book, but is found on J.K. Rowling's official site. It means "dawn" in Latin, even though in this context it probably refers to the phenomenon (known as polar lights) caused by solar winds interacting with the magnetosphere.

Answer: Unknown

The youngest of the three brothers who were the recipients of the Deathly Hallows, Ignotus Peverell was Harry Potter's ancestor. His name means "unknown" in Latin; the word, however, also has the meaning of "forgiven", with a somewhat different (though related) etymology. In the meaning of "forgiven", "ignotus" is the past participle of the verb "ignoscere" ("acknowledge"). As "unknown", it is formed by the negative prefix "in-" followed by "notus", the past participle of the verb "noscere" ("know").

Being able to hide under the Invisibility Cloak made Ignotus Peverell "unknown" to other people, and also to death for a long time, as he was the only one of his brothers to live to a ripe old age.

All three wrong answers are formed in Latin with the prefix "in-": "intectus" (undressed), "infelix" (unlucky), and "inquietus" (unquiet).

Answer: I play

"Ludo" is the first person of the present indicative of the verb "ludere" ("play"). The corresponding noun is "ludus": in Ancient Rome, "ludi" denoted the public games held for the benefit of the Roman people, generally in conjunction with religious festivals. Though (according to author J.K. Rowling) Bagman's full given name was Ludovic (a name of Germanic origin meaning "famous warrior"), his nickname Ludo hints at his position as Head of Department of Magical Games and Sports, as well as his previous career as a Quidditch player.

Ludo is also the name of a strategy board game. The English words "ludic" ("pertaining to play") and "ludicrous" are both related to "ludus" and "ludere".

Answer: Bellatrix Lestrange

Like most members of the ancient House of Black, Bellatrix Lestrange was named after a star - the third-brightest in the constellation Orion. Bellatrix (Gamma Orionis) is also known as the Amazon Star - not surprisingly, since its name is the female form of "bellator", the Latin word for "warrior". These words are derived from "bellum", meaning "war" - from which English words such as "bellicose" and "belligerent" also come. The feminine suffix "-trix" in Latin has become "-tress" in English (as in "actress" or "waitress").

Both the names of Narcissa and Andromeda (both of them Bellatrix Lestrange's sisters) are of Greek origin, while Petunia comes from Guaraní, an indigenous language of South America, through French.