Alastor Moody

Now, you may be wondering why I chose “Alastor Moody” as my third blog. Well, technically I didn’t choose. It was random. I opened my nearest HP book, closed my eyes, flipped the pages and pointed. Then I read until I got to a name. It sounds more convoluted than it was, but it only took a second. It’ll probably be the way I choose all the rest of the names so if you want me to do one before any others just let me know in comments.

Whenever I see the word “moody” I think of the astrological sign Cancer. Yes, I am a Cancer, so I don’t mind saying this. We’re moody. It’s just something we are. We are ruled by the moon. There are, of course, a few characters I’ll talk more about the moon with. You know who they are. I bet you didn’t think I was going to bring it up with “Alastor Moody” though?

I don’t think Alastar was a Cancer at all, by the way. I mean, he could’ve been but he’s more of a fire sign, I would think. I’m not going to get into that, though. Onto the names…

Let’s go backwards and continue with “Moody”. Alastor was always in a mood it seems, which is what the name means, after all. The surname “Moody” does mean recluse, a hermit. Very much what the character Alastor was.

“Moody” comes from Anglo-Saxon tribes. Derived from the English word modig. They gave this name to the “bold or impetuous” people. Again, very much like our “Alastor Moody”.

I always wondered why J.K. Rowling chose to use “Alastor” instead of “Alastair” or “Alastar”. If anyone knows let me know. “Alastor” comes from the Irish form of “Alastar” which comes from the name “Alexander”. They all mean the same thing. “Defender of Mankind.”

Very fitting for a character that gave his life defending for the greater good.

Thanks again to the websites I used this week for their great information. Please check them out for more: Ancestor Search, House of Names, and 20,000 Names from Around the World.