Hermione

Hermione (Ἑρμιόνη) is a female first name from Greek mythology. It is derived from the ancient Greek name Hermes (Ἑρμῆς) and is presumably derived from the ancient Greek word hérma (ἕρμᾰ) for 'stone mound'.

What does the name Hermione mean?

Hermione (Ἑρμιόνη) is a female first name from Greek mythology. It is derived from the ancient Greek name Hermes (Ἑρμῆς) and is presumably derived from the ancient Greek word hérma (ἕρμᾰ) for 'stone mound'. Thus, the meaning of Hermione is 'the stone mound'. The name is also more loosely translated as 'the messenger of the gods', as the 'stone mound' (hérma) refers to stone markers placed at the roadside in ancient Greece to indicate sacred places. In Greek mythology, Hermione is the daughter of Menelaus, a king of Sparta, and his wife Helen, a daughter of Zeus. The name Hermione gained popularity not only through the famous mythological figure but also through the veneration of Saint Hermione of Ephesus, who died around the year 117 as a martyr. William Shakespeare also contributed to the name's recognition by using it in his play 'The Winter's Tale' (1610). Since then, Hermione has been predominantly used as a female name in the English-speaking world, although it was long forgotten. It has only been more frequently given as a girl's name since the success of the Harry Potter novels, in which Hermione Granger is the English original name of Hermine Granger. Notable contemporary bearers of the name include British actresses Hermione Corfield and Hermione Norris.

Where does the name Hermione come from?

The etymology of Hermione is a female first name of ancient Greek origin with the meaning 'the stone mound' or 'the messenger of the gods'. Ancient Greek

How do you pronounce Hermione?

Sound & pronunciation of Hermione: The name Hermione is four to five syllables long and unfolds melodically. Pronounced as 'Her-mi-o-ne' [hɛʁˈmiːoːnə] or in English [hɜːˈmaɪ̯əni], it shows a vowel-rich, dynamic structure with an emphasized middle syllable. The sequence of sounds appears flowing and sonorous. The open '-one' at the end gives the name breadth and elegance. Hermione seems cultivated and mysterious - witty, literary, and endowed with international resonance.

Popularity

Hermione is a rare name in Germany. In 2020, it ranked 4,158th in the list of the most common female baby names. Its best ranking was in 2014 at 4,003rd. In the last ten years, Hermione has been given as a first name fewer than 10 times, placing it at 7,773rd in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 8,112th.

Nicknames & pet names

Hermy / Maini / Mimi / Mine / Mione / Naini

Similar first names

Famous people

• Hermione (Queen of Sicily in 'The Winter's Tale' by Shakespeare)
• Hermione Baddeley (actress from England)
• Hermione Cockburn (English actress)
• Hermione Darnborough (English ballet dancer)
• Hermione Eyre (English writer)
• Hermione Gingold (British actress)
• Hermione Granger (fictional character by J.K. Rowling)
• Hermione Gulliford (English actress)
• Hermione Hammond (painter from England)
• Hermione Norris (English actress)
• Hermione von Preuschen (painter from Germany)
• Hermione Wiltshire (British sculptor)