Madam Hooch: Xiomara or Rolanda?

[admmityourlove]

Ok, so in all of the ADMM and non-ADMM fics I've read that involve Madam Hooch and use her first name, there seems to be no consensus on what it is. Apparently she does not have a real first name in canon, so people have created fanon names for mischievous Hooch. I've seen some pretty weird ones, but the most commonly used by far are Rolanda and Xiomara. I personally prefer Rolanda, but I'm curious to know everybody else's opinion on this topic and I really would like to hear where the names originated. I just have to say I love Hooch and she makes a great supporting character in ADMMs and not a bad match for Severus... Anyway, whether you like 'Mara or Ro, please tell me what you think. Thanks

[MinnieQuill]

I use 'Rolanda' generally. It just seems to suit her more.

On the 'Lexicon' I'm fairly sure that it's Rolanda, and the Lexicon is generally right. I love that site, I really do ...

[pinnacle]

I'm pretty sure it's Rolanda, too. Have no idea where Xiomara came from.

[littlemorgsi]

On Lexicon it is Rolanda, but there is a note that the name comes from the trading card game, and may not actually be canon. I don't know where Xiomara came from. I think it might have come from imdb.com, but then being removed, but I could be completely wrong.

[EloquentPhoenix]

I'm pretty sure they both originated from somewhere that wasn't just fanfic, Rolanda is from the trading card game but I can't remember where Xiomara came from. I use Xiomara because I think it suits her more.

[ιady ταвz]

I prefer Rolanda actually thought both fit her well, i did read her name was Xiomara but i forgot where exactly.

[MMADfan]

"Rolanda" comes from the trading card game, which the HP-Lexicon uses, and "Xiomara" appeared in one of the movie character lists (I forget which one it was, but I think it may have been CoS -- but I wouldn't bet a wooden nickel on that, I am so unsure of it), so either, neither, or both are canon or noncanon, depending on what you take to be canon.

[EloquentPhoenix]

*Gasps in horror* I use a name the film-makers made up?

Shoot me.

*Cries* But I like Xiomara.

[MMADfan]

Okay, a little bit more brainless research has revealed that "Xiomara" was listed as Madam Hooch's first name on IMDB only in the pre-release info on Philosopher's Stone, but that the name was removed subsequently. The original reference for "Xiomara" always seems to lead back to IMDB, which removed the info once the movie was released. Who knows where they got the name from in the first place or why they later removed it. "Rolanda" was from the Chocolate Frog cards. I believe (but this is from my memory, which has failed me before!) that JKR vetted the info on the cards. Personally, I think only the books are "canon" -- and one can depart from canon if one wishes, of course (hopefully being fully aware that one is doing so!) -- and anything else, even if it comes from JKR's lips, is not. Obviously, something that JKR says or that she vouches for has greater "canonicity" than something thought up by the movie script writers, directors, producers, etc., and certainly more than what merely appears in fanon. However, given that JKR has sometimes contradicted herself and has even predicted things for the later books in the series that never materialized, I would rather only take into account the seven books when determining whether something I'm writing or reading is canon-compliant or not. There's already plenty to keep track of in those seven books!

As far as "Rolanda" or "Xiomara" go, both have attained recognition in fandom, so it makes sense to use one or the other, but if someone decided to come up with an entirely new first name for Madam Hooch, that would be as acceptable as coming up with one for Mr Olivander, whose first name we never read in the books. (As far as I am aware, anyway!) So feel free to do what you like! (Not that anyone needs *my* permission! Hahaha!)

[Blue]

I like Rolanda best. But only because I actually know how to pronounce it lol

[monsie]

I like Xiomara. It's such a rare name and it sounds exotic... Like her eyes.

[Pingpongfreak]

I like Xiomara too...I've always loved unusual names. I mean who has a name that starts with X?

[osusprinks]

Leave it to Madam to have (or at least find) all the answers. I like Rolanda and I like Xiomara. I use Rolanda when I write, but I don't have a problem with either or something entirely different when I am reading.

Now for Sprout, it's Pomona or else. lol Though I did love Sylvia before we knew Pomona.

[Drake]

I actually think she's called Fluffy McDoogleberrykins Hooch.

No but srsly, I'm in the Rolanda camp because Xiomera sounds like a name a twelve-year-old Suethor made up for a their Legomance sue. Just MO.

[StormAngel]

I don't know... But I use Rolanda sometimes, or Xiomara. Depending on my mood. But I prefer Rolanda.