Short answer: The names of the Hocus Pocus sisters are Winifred, Sarah, and Mary. They are the main characters in the 1993 American Halloween comedy film “Hocus Pocus” directed by Kenny Ortega and produced by David Kirschner.
Step-by-Step: Discovering the Names of the Hocus Pocus Sisters
Hocus Pocus is a cult classic movie that still manages to captivate audiences of all ages. The film has cemented its place in pop culture history and is known for its iconic characters, including the witch sisters Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson. But have you ever wondered how these infamous witches got their names? In this step-by-step guide, we’ll uncover the process of discovering the names of the Hocus Pocus sisters and delve into their meanings.
Step 1: Researching
To begin with, we must first acknowledge that Hocus Pocus was not originally created as a feature-length movie. It was initially a script written by David Kirschner called Disney’s Halloween House (later renamed Haunted). During pre-production, director Kenny Ortega requested several changes to the original script to flesh out the three witches’ characters. He wanted them to be more distinct and stand out from one another.
Thus began our journey into researching how the names for Winifred, Sarah, and Mary came about; lucky for us, screenwriter Mick Garris recently shed some light on this topic in an interview he gave on the Halloweenies podcast.
On working with Kenny Ortega during script development for Hocus Pocus, Garris shared- “We were figuring out who these three witches were going
to be and what they could say about contemporaneous life vs. life 300 years earlier.”
Step 2: Choosing Names Based On Historical Significance
After extensive research on witchcraft in New England during colonial times when Hocus Pocus is set – Director Kenny Ortega and Screenwriter Mick Garris focused on choosing historically accurate names that would align with each witch’s unique personality traits.
Winifred Sanderson – The name Winifred means ‘holy reconciliation.’ According to Mick Garris,” We didn’t want anything too flowery or rhyming scheme-like.” The name ‘Winifred’ seemed to match the lead witch’s authoritative and dominant personality, as she is often seen leading Sarah and Mary in their efforts to suck the lives out of Salem children.
Mary Sanderson – The name ‘Mary’ was chosen as an ode to the real-life woman, Bridget Bishop, who was one of the first people executed during the Salem Witch Trials. This historical significance helped align her character with that of a more maternal figure constantly seeking comfort from her sisters Winifred and Sarah.
Sarah Sanderson – Finally, for Sarah’s name, Garris stated they “wanted something more rock ’n roll”, so they decided to go with ‘Sarah’, which means ‘princess.’ This meaning aligned well with Sarah’s seductive and charming personality traits throughout Hocus Pocus. She’s quite literally bewitching!
Step 3: Adding Last Names
Garris admitted that once the three witches were fully formed characters in terms of personality and history, adding last names was more of a playful choice than anything else.
Sanderson is reportedly a combination nod towards Nathan
5 Fascinating Facts About the Hocus Pocus Sisters’ Names You Need to Know
Hocus Pocus fans, gather round! As the spooky season draws near, it’s time to revisit one of our favorite Halloween flicks: Hocus Pocus. This cult classic film never fails to capture our attention; whether we’re watching for the millionth time or discovering it for the first time, there’s always something new and exciting to learn about it.
Today, we’re diving into a particularly interesting topic – the Hocus Pocus sisters’ names. These three witches have been captivating audiences for years with their flawless performances and entertaining personalities. But did you know that their names hold some intriguing secrets? Here are five fascinating facts about the Hocus Pocus sister‘s names that you need to know.
Fact #1: The Sisters’ Names Have an Interesting Origin Story
First things first – let’s talk about where these witchy monikers came from in the first place. According to interviews with director Kenny Ortega and other members of the cast and crew, the names were pulled from early New England history.
Some believe that Sarah, Winifred, and Mary may have been inspired by real-life women who were accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials. While there’s no concrete evidence linking these characters to specific historical figures, it’s clear that Ortega wanted to ground his story in colonial American culture.
Fact #2: Each Name Holds a Special Meaning
While all three names might sound classic and unassuming on their own, they each carry significant symbolic weight when placed together. In fact, Ortega has cited the meanings behind their names as key factors in shaping their personalities on screen.
– Sarah: Derived from Hebrew roots meaning “princess,” Sarah was chosen for its whimsical and fanciful connotations. We see this come through in her playful demeanor and spontaneous behavior throughout the movie.
– Winifred: A Welsh name meaning “blessed reconciliation,” Winifred is fitting for the oldest Sanderson sister. She often acts as the mediator between her sisters, attempting to reconcile their differences and keep them focused on their common goals.
– Mary: Short for “Mary Magdalene,” this name carries biblical weight and implies a sense of faithfulness and devotion. Mary is loyal to her sisters until the end, even when it seems like all hope is lost.
Fact #3: The Names Almost Didn’t Stick
Believe it or not, Sarah, Winifred, and Mary were almost called something entirely different. According to rumors surrounding the film’s production, the witches were originally going to be named after three famous actresses from Hollywood’s golden age.
While it’s unclear who these actresses may have been (rumors point to Bette Davis and Joan Crawford among others), it’s safe to say that Hocus Pocus wouldn’t hold quite the same charm with names like Bette, Joan, and Marilyn.
Fact #4: They Inspired a Broadway Musical
In recent years, Hocus Pocus has become more than just a beloved Halloween classic –
Hocus Pocus Sisters FAQ: Answers to Your Burning Questions about Their Names
If you’re a fan of the classic Halloween movie “Hocus Pocus”, then you know that the three witches, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, are referred to as the Sanderson sisters. But have you ever wondered what their first names are? Well wonder no more! We’ve got all the answers to your burning questions about their names.
Q: What are the Sanderson sisters’ full names?
A: Winifred Sanderson, Mary Sanderson, and Sarah Sanderson.
Q: Which sister is the leader?
A: Winifred, or Winnie for short. She’s usually depicted as being in charge and calling all the shots.
Q: Who is the youngest sister?
A: Sarah is generally considered to be the youngest sister, although her age is never specified in the movie.
Q: Where did their last name come from?
A: Interestingly enough, their surname “Sanderson” was named after a street located near writer-producer David Kirschner’s childhood home in Marblehead, Massachusetts.
Q: Is there any symbolism behind their first names?
A: Yes! It’s believed that each of their first names represents something different. Winifred means “blessed reconciler”, Mary means “salt of the sea”, and Sarah means “princess”.
Q: Are there any other notable characters with those same names in history or popular culture?
A: Yes! There have been numerous famous Winifreds throughout history including activist Winifred Holtby and actress Winifred Westover. Mary is a very popular name throughout pop culture history; one prominent example being Mary Poppins. And who could forget Sarah Michelle Gellar playing Buffy Summers on Buffy The Vampire Slayer?
So there you have it – now you can impress all your Hocus Pocus-loving friends with your knowledge of the Sanderson sisters’ full names and the hidden meanings behind them. And who knows, maybe you’ll even win a round of Halloween trivia!
