(Loved Trope) Aptronyms

[u/dream_monkey]

Aptronyms are characters whose name is heavily symbolic or represent them as a character. Sometimes it is a subtle play on words, sometimes it’s just a clunky transliteration. Either way, it can help characterize a character and provide more allegorical depth. Authors must be careful not to delve into the realm of cliche, though.

1. Draco Malfoy (Harry Potter series) His name means Evil Dragon, and he tries really hard to live up to his name.

[Many commenters have pointed out that Darth Vader is not a true aptronym. I stand corrected .]

1. Darth Vader (Star Wars series) His name means Dark Father, which cleverly conceals one of the biggest reveals in cinema history.

2. Cthulhu (Lovecraft mythos) Cthulhu may just sound like a nonsense syllable, unpronounceable by a human mouth. The name is derived from the word “cthonic” which means a being that lives under the earth or in the underworld, so an ancient and terrible god that lies dreaming in death at the bottom of the ocean would definitely fit the description.

[u/Cela84]

Harry Potter also having a character named Wolf Wolf, who turns out to be a Werewolf.

Remus - of Romulus and Remus, kids raised by a wolf who would go on to found Rome.

Lupin - of Lupine, which means like a wolf.

From the makers of Wolf Rebel, Fenrir Greyback.

Fenrir- a wolf from Norse Mythology.
Greyback - term for a confederate in the civil war.

[u/IamaHyoomin → u/Cela84]

you'd think wizards would stop naming their kids after wolves, seems like a remarkably consistent way to get them infected with lycanthropy

[u/icantbeatyourbike → u/Cela84]

I doubt Rowling was referring to the US civil war.

[u/jjtnd1 → u/icantbeatyourbike]

Lol yeah I think it was more like - wolves have grey backs right, grey back bam

[u/Aluxanatomy → u/jjtnd1]

Japan has magic school, right? Mahoutokoro. Bam!

[u/Cela84 → u/icantbeatyourbike]

Yes, because why would Rowling include something in the 6th book for the largest market for her books that accounted for a third of her sales.

[u/Late_Alternative9230 → u/icantbeatyourbike]

Knowing her stance on house-elves that’s probably a good thing

[u/igottathinkofaname → u/Cela84]

Remus: I have a great idea! Let’s call our city Reme!

Romulus: I have a better idea…

[u/00luckywanderboy00 → u/Cela84]

let's not forget chinese person chinese person.

[u/Adept_Professor_2837 → u/Cela84]

Let’s not forget Sirius Black, who is named for Sirius, aka the dog star, and the color black, and who can also coincidentally turn into a black dog.

[u/Mister-builder → u/Adept_Professor_2837]

Nor Professor Sprout, the herbology teacher.

[u/DependentAvocado4218 → u/Cela84]

Yeah no. That's way too heavy handed lol