Names are highly significant, which is a common theme in the two plays (Much Ado and The Importance of Being Earnest). The two writers have thought about their characters and given them names to match their personalities. Shakespeare does so accordingly:
- Don Pedro’s name is a Spanish name for Peter (a New Testament man said to be the "rock" of Jesus' church). The name "Pedro" originates in the Greek, and means stone. Don Pedro (except when he’s deceived by Don John) is generally unmovable, and thought to be one of the more sensible characters in the play. Like a rock.
- Beatrice’s name is of Latin origin, meaning "voyager through life", like how Beatrice seems to sail above the traditional expectations of women. Beatrice's name also has a second meaning, "blessed", which is what Benedick means: the two are linked together by their names. They are blessed in general, but they’re especially lucky to find each other. Finally, Benedick has "bene" at its root, which means "good", demonstrated when Benedick sticks up for Hero and becomes honourable.
- Claudio is of Latin origin and means "disabled", coming from the root "claudus" for "lame" or "crippled". Claudio is crippled in that he can’t see what’s clearly in front of him: an innocent bride who has been slandered, and the deceitful lies of Don John. He is generally unable in matters of his love life, and can’t avoid trouble.
- The most famous Hero is from the Greek legend of Hero and Leander. Hero was a virgin priestess of the goddess Aphrodite (Venus), and Leander fell in love with her. Leander convinced Hero to sleep with him because he claimed it was the best way to worship Aphrodite, goddess of love, was to not be a virgin. Hero gave her virginity to Leander, and the two of them loved happily and in secret. Then, Leander drowned, and Hero killed herself. So, Hero’s name is ironic. While Hero of Much Ado is accused of being like the Leander’s Hero, she’s actually quite the opposite (chaste).
Shakespeare also uses some ridiculous names – Dogberry gets a nonsense name that’s as silly as he is, and Borachio sounds like "borracho", the Spanish word for "drunk" - demonstrated when he reveals their plans to slander Hero in a drunken state.
