Even though they are not real as Hollywood actors, animated characters still drive moviegoers crazy. Seriously, who can say no to the yellow minions with all the fun and cute things they do? Who doesn’t fall in love with the brave Moana when she sets sail to restore Te Fiti’s heart and save her people? In fact, many animated characters are so attractive that fans can’t even see them as fictional characters anymore, they have sincere love for these guys.
Those characters are way too familiar to us, but have you ever wondered what their names mean? Are screenwriters just naming names for their own sake, or is there a hidden meaning behind these words?
If you are curious, keep scrolling down to find the answers to these questions above with us, and feel free to leave your opinion in the comment section below!
#1 Gru from “Despicable Me”
Source: Illumination Entertainment
In Italian, Gru means a crane. In addition, if G.R.U is considered an acronym, it can be translated as the main intelligence directorate in Russian. In fact, in “Despicable Me“, Gru’s appearance really makes us feel that he is a crane-like man who is a spy.
#2 Minions from “Minions”
Source: Illumination Entertainment
The names of these lovable and knowledgeable yellow minions have their roots deep in French history. In the sixteenth century, in France, “minion” referred to people of high social status, they were often advisers, guardians or members of the King’s retinue in the royal court.
#3 Moana from “Moana”
Source: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Moana is the name of both the protagonist and the name of the successful animated film released by Disney in 2016. In Polynesia and Hawaii, “Moana” means “ocean”. Only this word is enough to show the main storyline of the film, which is about a girl conquering the ocean to save her people.
#4 Tamatoa from “Moana”
Source: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Tamatoa is a crab obsessed with shiny things. Therefore, he has spent his life collecting these objects and considers them his precious trophies. That’s why the name “Tamatoa” suits him very well as it means “trophies”.
#5 Zuko from “Avatar: The Last Airbender”
Source: Paramount Pictures
Zuko is a character that you might hate at first but end up falling in love with. The name Zuko means “glory” and it partly explains the reason why he tries to hunt Aangat first: he wants to get all the glory and make his father restore his honor.
#6 Aang from “Avatar: The Last Airbender”
Source: Paramount Pictures
Aang means “peaceful”. If you’re a fan of Avatar, you’ll understand why the name suits Aang so well. He spends his life fighting for peace and willingly takes away the Fire Lord even in his great victory over him.
#7 Jerry from “Tom and Jerry”
Source: Warner Bros. Animation
In the 19th century, Jerry was a name for a chamber pot. Later, this word was also understood as “to understand”. However, these meanings don’t seem to have much to do with our lovely mouse, do they?
#8 Tom from “Tom and Jerry”
Source: Warner Bros. Animation
Tom stands for Thomas, and this word has quite a few meanings. In the early 20th century, Thomas meant “show-off” or “boyish boy. In addition, in Hebrew, “Tom” can also mean “innocence” or “purity”. Do you agree that the cat we always love, although sometimes quite selfish and unruly, always has a pure heart?
#9 Pumbaa from “The Lion King”
Source: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Pumbaa means “foolish, ignorant, and stupid” and it’s exactly how we feel about Pumbaa the first time we see him.
#10 Simba from “The Lion King”
Source: Walt Disney Animation Studios
In Swahili, Simba means “lion. In addition, Simba has several other meanings, such as a “bloodthirsty person”, a “cruel person”, and a “courageous person”. However, based on Simba’s personality in “The Lion King“, it’s hard to imagine the words like “bloodthirsty person” or “cruel person” being used to describe this lion.
