I'm wondering if (either consciously or subconsciously) JKR named Voldie's pet snake after the female cobra Nagaina from the Kipling tale "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi"?

Discuss?

I've made this connection as well. They both certainly have very similar personalities, and it would be much like JKR to name a character so close to another story's character that has similar personalities. She was very smart at naming the characters.

This occurred to me also. And if I recall correctly, the name derives from a Hindu deity.

The root -nag in Sanskrit means "snake" or "serpent"--more specifically a cobra. There was an ancient race of snake deities in Indian legend called Nagas. They were shapeshifters, and lived in spectacular underwater cities. They were also said to carry the secrets of immortality with them.

Fascinating. Rowling is just brilliant when it comes to word use and names.

Yea I made that connection too. In Language class we were reading it, and I cam across the name and I am like "AH HA!" thats where the name came from or along the lines of it i felt so special...even though i wasnt hehehe

I THOUGHT that Nagini sounded familiar! I LOVED the story of Riki-tiki-tavi when I waqs little! I can't believe I missed that!

The quality of being about to turn into a human -- which Nagini did at Godric's Hollow -- is also traditionally attributed to Nagas.

I've always thought this too

And Nagini the Horcrux carried the secret of Voldemort's immortality. Brilliant.

When we first read this short story in 7th grade, I immediately made the connection. Glad I'm not the only person who thinks this =D

You have a point there, jaimedanser, but i think Nagini is way cooler; and cuter for sure!