8 Famous ‘Harry Potter’ Spells and Their Real-life Origins

Something that makes the “Harry Potter” books fun to read for adults — not just kids — is author J. K. Rowling’s use of wordplay. Names are often literary references or jokes, and many of the “Harry Potter” spells provide a clear hint at their function for anyone familiar with Latin or Greek.

Some spells are straightforward: The confundus charm confuses (or confounds) its recipient, the lumos spell produces a light (or illumination) at the end of the caster’s wand, avis is a bird-conjuring charm (note the connection to aviary) and the sonorus spell amplifies the sound of the caster’s voice. Other spells have more obscure origins.

Here, we’ll explore some of the most famous spells featured in the “Harry Potter” books and movies.