What’s In A Name: Hallow Stonebrook

This is part fourteen in our series of articles examining the meanings behind the names of characters on True Blood. For previous articles looking at Sookie, Eric, Alcide, Tara, Bill, Arlene, Lafayette, Sam, Pam, Crystal, Russell, Sophie-Anne, & the Bellefleur family click here.

Hallow Stonebrook

A new character on True Blood this season is Hallow Stonebrook, a powerful witch who plays a major role in events affecting just about everyone in Bon Temps (and beyond). Her name is one that she assumed, not her birth name, making its meaning even more significant as a path to understanding how she sees herself.

Hallow is not a name but a word that means “to make holy” or “consecrate”. Its obvious religious connotations suggest that she has strong beliefs in general, and probably considers herself someone who can sanctify people and places. The question is how she determines who or what to consecrate and whether the subject of that action agrees with her.

Stonebrook quite literally refers to elements of nature: rock and water. The name is a link to Wicca, the nature-oriented practice derived from pre-Christian religions. Wiccans generally view themselves as benevolent, connected to and protective of nature.

From what we’ve heard about season 4 and the witch storyline, I posit that Hallow Stonebrook sees herself as more of an avenging angel on Mother Nature’s behalf, determined to cleanse the world of what she sees as pollutants (read: vampires).