My husband is a huge Harry Potter fan and suggested the name Hermione. Now, I didn’t grow up with Harry Potter but as an adult, I’ve enjoyed the books, specifically.
I like the name, because I like unusual names, even though I’ve not yet pinned down my style. Philomena keeps sneaking onto my list even though DH already said heck, no, lol.
My concern with Hermione is that it wouldn’t stand on it’s own and be the name of an individual. If that makes sense? Will it always just get the response of Hermione Granger? (And, is that necessarily a bad thing?) Or will it be different 7-10 years from now, with her peers growing up?
To put it in a little perspective, we named our first daughter Sparrow. To an outside person, they may think she’s named after a bird (it’s a great bird name, symbolically), but technically, we named her after a pirate (Jack Sparrow).
No matter who she’s named after, she’s 100% her own unique representation of the name Sparrow. I’d like to think it would play out the same way with a Hermione.
What do you think, is Hermione usable?
Can you think of some other names that have the same style as Hermione?
I think it’s usable, although people will assume you’re big [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] fans. If you don’t mind that, it’s not a big deal! The character in HP is likeable and it’s not like the name was created specifically for HP and has no history of its own.
Sound-wise and vibes-wise it reminds me a lot of other grand Greek myth names! Hesione, [name_f]Halcyon[/name_f] / [name_f]Alcyone[/name_f], [name_f]Hermia[/name_f], [name_f]Andromeda[/name_f], [name_f]Circe[/name_f], Nauusica, [name_f]Lyra[/name_f], [name_f]Persephone[/name_f], [name_f]Eurydice[/name_f], [name_f]Ariadne[/name_f], [name_f]Calypso[/name_f], [name_f]Callisto[/name_f], [name_f]Halimeda[/name_f], [name_f]Isidora[/name_f], Oenone, [name_f]Nephele[/name_f], [name_f]Thalassa[/name_f], [name_f]Tisiphone[/name_f], etc.
For what it’s worth, I’ve met two (or maybe three) little Hermiones so they are out there, and people are using it. It was in the UK Top 1000 too, from the 90s until it dropped off in 2022, so again, people have been using it.
For the Hermione I knew best, people did bring up the Harry Potter connection on first meeting her, and it did linger, with some people making ongoing references, but that wasn’t the case with everyone. And little Hermione clearly hadn’t read/watched the series because they went over her head
So yes, I do think it can stand as an individual’s name but I do think Hermione Granger will be brought up. So, is that necessarily a bad thing?
The character is seen AS inspirational by many and her wasn’t created by the series; it has ties to mythology too. However, without going into the politics, I wouldn’t want people to think I was a Harry Potter / JKR fan, so yes, that would put me off using such a HP associated choice. Obviously, it’s up to you to decide if you mind people thinking your big fans
Personally I don’t think [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] is super usable if you aren’t willing to be seen as a die hard [name_m]Harry[/name_m] Popper fan. If you are, then it’s super cute!
[name_f]My[/name_f] first thoughts for similar sounds:
[name_f]Calliope[/name_f]
[name_f]Persephone[/name_f]
[name_f]Thisbe[/name_f]
It’s one of my favourite names, so I may be biased when I say this, but it is usable. I think most people would still associate it with [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m], considering the audience then have grown up to have kids now.
I definitely think people will associate the name with Harry Potter, but as a fan of HP, that’s not a downside from where I stand!
Given that the character of Hermione is a strong, intelligent, & resourceful girl, I think that’s a very positive association too!
[name_f]Love[/name_f] [name_f]Hermione[/name_f]! It’s usable here in the UK and I have met a few of various ages, but if you’re somewhere where it’s even rarer, the association will be pretty strong. But I’m sure your daughter would quickly become the primary association for anyone who knows her!
[name_f]Ariadne[/name_f] springs to mind as a perfect alternative. Similar sound and origin, and has smart associations because of the Greek myth and logic puzzle connections.
I am one of the few people on the planet who has never gotten into Harry Potter. But I do think Hermione can stand apart from Harry Potter; ironically I can see a Hermione having her own identity before a Lorelei could, but maybe it’s because I was into Gilmore Girls as a kid and I’ve never read HP.
Ironically I just heard a few friends talking about a little girl they know called Hermione - they really struggled with her name, but didn’t seem to connect it to the books at all. Then again, it was in a very religious circle and I’m about 99% they haven’t read the books either. But because I’ve “heard” it in real life now, it does feel very wearable, and I love the nn versatility (Hero, Hera, Maya, Ione/Iona, etc.).
I can definitely see Sparrow and Hermione as sisters (such a fun pairing!), and I think the tie to Jack Sparrow with Sparrow makes Hermione more accessible.
For me, Hermione feels much more upper-crust British, literary/Greek mythology, Shakespearean, etc. So these sorts of names feel like they fit with Hermione for me:
ETA: For what it’s worth, I adore Philomena and while Hermione is lovely… would easily vote for Philomena over Hermione (although I think Philomena and Hermione would make great sisters too!). I am minorly obsessed with Philomena nn Philou… but Mina is sweet too! Or Minnie.
The name existed before [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m], but I bet that is the only association most people have. You can still use it, but the association is there. You could use [name_m]Granger[/name_m] like you used Sparrow…?
First, I think it is hilarious that your daughter is named after CAPTAIN [name_m]Jack[/name_m] [name_m]Sparrow[/name_m] Honestly, it makes me say go for [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] even more.
I personally know a [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] who was born before JK Rowling wrote [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m]. She wears it very well, and while I will always think of [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] when I hear the name, I also think it is usable. The nice part about this connection is that more people will know how to correctly pronounce [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] than if [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] hadn’t been written.
Here are some names that are stylistically like [name_f]Hermione[/name_f]:
[name_f]Ariadne[/name_f] – A mythological name with a strong, graceful sound.
[name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] – Shakespearean, timeless, and a bit mysterious.
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] – [name_m]Roman[/name_m] and elegant, with an old-world feel.
[name_f]Imogen[/name_f] – [name_f]British[/name_f] and literary, famously used by [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m].
[name_f]Persephone[/name_f] – Mythological, representing spring and renewal.
[name_f]Cressida[/name_f] – Also Shakespearean, and beautifully uncommon.
[name_f]Calliope[/name_f] – A Greek muse of epic poetry, adding a touch of whimsy.
[name_f]Seraphina[/name_f] – Mystical and romantic, meaning “fiery” or “angelic.”
And here are some other [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] inspired names:
[name_f]Minerva[/name_f] – [name_f]Regal[/name_f] and mythological, as well as a nod to [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m].
[name_f]Luna[/name_f] – After [name_f]Luna[/name_f] Lovegood, the whimsical and wise Ravenclaw.
[name_f]Rowena[/name_f] – Inspired by [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] Ravenclaw, founder of the Ravenclaw House.
[name_f]Fleur[/name_f] – [name_f]Fleur[/name_f] Delacour, elegant and strong-willed, with a lovely [name_f]French[/name_f] flair.
[name_f]Hermione[/name_f] – Iconic and intellectual, after [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] [name_m]Granger[/name_m].
[name_f]Ginevra[/name_f] – [name_f]Ginny[/name_f] Weasley’s full name, unique and filled with character.
[name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] – A darker name from [name_f]Bellatrix[/name_f] Lestrange, yet mysterious and powerful.
[name_f]Andromeda[/name_f] – After [name_f]Andromeda[/name_f] Tonks (Tonks’ mother), with mythological connections.
[name_f]Lavender[/name_f] – [name_f]Lavender[/name_f] [name_m]Brown[/name_m], a soft, floral name with a touch of magic.
[name_f]Astoria[/name_f] – [name_m]Draco[/name_m] Malfoy’s wife, elegant and stately.
Finally, Tonks is kind of a fun nickname (that your husband might like), so here are some full names for the nickname Tonks:
[name_f]Antonina[/name_f] – A classic with a strong yet playful vibe.
[name_f]Antonia[/name_f] – Elegant and timeless, with multiple nickname possibilities.
Tonnika – A rarer choice with a unique, edgy feel.
[name_f]Tonette[/name_f] – A vintage name with a playful twist.
Tonianne – A name blending classic and creative elements.
Octonia – [name_f]Unique[/name_f] and mysterious, with an ancient, powerful sound.
Tonara – A soft and melodic option with a touch of mystery.
Tonelle – Delicate and refined, with [name_f]French[/name_f] inspiration.
I am probably one of the only people who associates it with The Winter’s Tale before [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m]. . . I think [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] is a gorgeous name and am much more fond of the mythology and [name_m]Shakespeare[/name_m] connotations than the [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] ones (although I grew up with the series and will always have a soft spot for it despite the issues now). Other mythological or Shakespearean names could definitely end up with a similar vibe! [name_f]Ariadne[/name_f] especially comes to mind.
When I was at Secondary school there was a girl a couple of years below me called [name_f]Hermione[/name_f]. I think she was just old enough to be born before/around the release of the first book before they were big.
I’m assuming [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] was everyone’s first thought, but I don’t know how many people actually brought it up with her.
It always suited her and I really like it as a name. I think with the right nickname, you can definitely make it not as big a deal. I like [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] ‘Mya, [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] or Honey’
Honestly, it makes me say go for [name_f]Hermione[/name_f] even more.