JK Rowling chose the name Hermione for her character in the Harry Potter series for a variety of reasons. The name Hermione actually comes from Shakespeare’s play, A Winter’s Tale. However, Rowling has stated that her Hermione bears very little relation to the Hermione in the play. So, it seems that Shakespeare’s character did not have a significant influence on Rowling’s choice of name.
Instead, Rowling wanted a unique and unusual name for her character. In an interview, she mentioned that she wanted Hermione’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Granger, to be “a pair of professional dentists, who liked to prove how clever they were.” This suggests that the name Hermione was intentionally chosen to reflect the intellectual and scholarly nature of her parents.
Choosing a distinctive and slightly old-fashioned name like Hermione also adds depth to the character. It sets her apart from other characters and makes her memorable. Additionally, the name Hermione has a certain elegance to it, which suits the character’s intelligence, resourcefulness, and strong-willed nature.
Rowling’s decision to give her characters meaningful names is not unique to Hermione. Throughout the Harry Potter series, she often uses names that have symbolic or hidden meanings. For example, the name Harry is derived from the old Germanic name “Heimirich,” which means “ruler of the home” or “ruler of the estate.” This is fitting for a character who ultimately becomes the leader of the wizarding world.
J.K. Rowling chose the name Hermione for her character because it sounded unique and reflected the intellectual nature of her parents. The name also has an elegant and memorable quality, which aligns with Hermione’s character traits. Rowling’s careful consideration of names adds depth and symbolism to her characters, making them more engaging and memorable for readers.