"wellborn, of noble stock"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Hermione
Pronunciation: [ h-erm-ee-OHN-ee ]
Girl Name
#1,674 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
4 Syllables
From ancient Troy to Hogwarts — a name for the brilliantly unconventional
Greek
British
English-speaking
Literary
Literary
Classic
Bold
Sophisticated
Strong
Meaning & Origin
"messenger of Hermes, earthly one"
Origin: Greek (Hermes root)
Language: Greek
"daughter of Helen (by association)"
Origin: Greek mythology
Language: Greek
The Story of Hermione
Hermione is an ancient Greek name derived from Hermes, the messenger god, combined with the suffix -one. Hermes' name may derive from 'herma' (cairn, boundary stone) or from a pre-Greek root. In Greek mythology, Hermione was the only daughter of Menelaus and Helen of Troy. The name was used in English literature for centuries before its modern association with Harry Potter — Shakespeare used it in The Winter's Tale.
Hermione was a rare but existing name in English-speaking countries before J.K. Rowling created Hermione Granger in 1997. After the Harry Potter series became a global phenomenon, the name surged in popularity, particularly in the UK, while remaining relatively uncommon in the US. Hermione Granger has become one of the most influential fictional characters in naming history.
In Greek mythology, Hermione (daughter of Helen and Menelaus) was betrothed to both Orestes and Neoptolemus, making her central to post-Trojan War drama. Shakespeare's Hermione in The Winter's Tale is a wrongly accused queen who 'returns from death.' J.K. Rowling named her character partly because she wanted a name that sounded unusual and was unlikely to be common.
Fun Facts
- J.K. Rowling chose Hermione to avoid it being a popular playground name — she wanted her character to seem unique
- Hermione appears in The Winter's Tale (Shakespeare, 1611) as a queen falsely accused of infidelity who appears to return from the dead
- Hermione Norris and Hermione Lee are real-life British public figures who bore the name before Harry Potter
Hermione in Other Languages
Greek
Ἑρμιόνη (Hermionē)
French
Hermione
Spanish
Hermione
Japanese
ハーマイオニー
Famous People Named Hermione
H
Hermione Norris
Actor
1967
British actress known for roles in Wire in the Blood and Spooks
H
Hermione Granger Fictional
Other
Brilliant, rule-following witch in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series; top of her class at Hogwarts and key member of th...
Brilliant, rule-following witch in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series; top of her class at Hogwarts and key member of the trio that defeats Voldemort
H
Hermione (Greek mythology) Fictional
Other
Daughter of King Menelaus of Sparta and Helen of Troy; central figure in post-Trojan War Greek drama
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #1,674
- Total SSA Count
- 122
- Cultural Origins
- Greek British English-speaking Literary
- Pronunciation
- Hard
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Hermie
Mione
Ronnie
Pairs Well With
Hermione Jean
Hermione Rose
Hermione Grace
Hermione Claire
Hermione Elizabeth
Hermione Anne
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hermione
What does the name Hermione mean?
"wellborn, of noble stock" (from Greek). "messenger of Hermes, earthly one" (from Greek (Hermes root)). "daughter of Helen (by association)" (from Greek mythology). Hermione is an ancient Greek name derived from Hermes, the messenger god, combined with the suffix -one. Hermes' name may derive from 'herma' (cairn, boundary stone) or from a pre-Greek root. In Greek mythology, Hermione was the only daughter of Menelaus and Helen of Troy. The name was used in English literature for centuries before its modern association with Harry Potter — Shakespeare used it in The Winter's Tale.
What is the origin of the name Hermione?
Hermione has Greek, Greek (Hermes root), Greek mythology, British, English-speaking, and Literary origins. In Greek, it means "wellborn, of noble stock". In Greek (Hermes root), it means "messenger of Hermes, earthly one". In Greek mythology, it means "daughter of Helen (by association)".
Is Hermione a boy or girl name?
Hermione is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Hermione?
Hermione is pronounced h-erm-ee-OHN-ee.
How popular is the name Hermione?
Hermione is currently ranked #1674 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Hermione?
Common nicknames for Hermione include Hermie, Mione, and Ronnie.
What are good middle names for Hermione?
Popular middle name pairings include Hermione Jean, Hermione Rose, Hermione Grace, Hermione Claire, Hermione Elizabeth, and Hermione Anne.
What are good sibling names for Hermione?
Names that pair well with Hermione as siblings include Minerva, Rowena, Neville, Harry, Luna, and Evangeline.
How many syllables does Hermione have?
Hermione has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Hermione a common or rare name?
Hermione is an uncommon name, ranked #1674 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Hermione
Hermione is a girl name with Greek, British, English-speaking, and Literary origins . The name means "wellborn, of noble stock" in Greek .
Hermione is currently ranked #1,674 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Hermione has 4 syllables and is pronounced h-erm-ee-OHN-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Hermione include Hermie, Mione, and Ronnie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.