Name Origins

Harry Potter: Harry is J.K.s favorite name for a young preteen-teenage male. She got the last name, Potter, from the name of the street she grew up on.

Draco Malfoy: The word Draco is Latin for dragon. "Malfoy" is a derivative from a French word meaning "of bad faith." The name is very fitting for Draco's character, for dragons have been both cunning and powerful magical creatures, and Draco is a cunning and excellent student (mentioned in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). Malfoy accents the fact of his antagonistic position in the series.

Severus Snape: Severus was a Roman emperor. It also suggests the word "severe", which would explain his strict teaching methods. Snape is also a place in Britain.

Voldemort: "Vol de mort" means "flight of death" in French.

Albus Dumbledore: Albus is a Latin word meaning "white", which symbolizes the age of Professor Dumbledore, as he has a full head (and face for that fact) of streaming silver and white hair. The old English word meaning bumblebee is in fact dumbledore. J.K. said that she envisions Professor Dumbledore humming to himself often, much like a bumblebee.

Hagrid: Hagrid, taken from the old English word "hagridden" which means "to have a nightmarish night."

Remus Lupin: According to ancient Roman folklore, Remus is said to be the twin brother of Romulus who were both raised by a wolf, before growing up to found Rome. Lupin comes from the Latin word "lupus" which means wolf. These names combined are a very large hint as to Lupin being a werewolf.

Dursley: A place in Britain.

Hedwig: Name of a medieval saint.

Beauxbatons: "Beaux batons" is French for "Beautiful Wands."

Durmstrang: A word play on the German words "drang" and "strum", which mean "stress" and "storm."

Expecto Patronum: "Patronus" is Latin for "Protector"

Sonorus: "Sono" is Latin for sound.

Snape: A small village in England.

Fleur Delacour: JK was herself a french teacher, and Fleur Delacour means 'flower of the court' (fleur de la cour.)

Credits to UK Harry Potter