What does orochimaru's name mean?

Answer 1

Orochimaru since a child looks like a snake...i think that was kishimoto's intentions when he gave him his name....kishimoto derived the names of the three legendary sannin from the Japanese folktale Jiraiya Goketsu Monogatari.

here's wat it say's in wikipedia....

"In Naruto, a popular manga and anime television series, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru appear as three legendary ninjas known as the Sannin. Instead of transforming into a toad, Jiraiya can summon toads into battle, up to and including Kaiju-sized monsters. This summoning ability is predicated on Jiraiya having established a blood-contract with all species of toad-kind. Tsunade can summon slugs, and Orochimaru can summon snakes."

Orochimaru in the folklore was described as such in wikipedia...

"Orochimaru, featured in the Japanese folktale Jiraiya Goketsu Monogatari, is the arch-enemy of the ninja Jiraiya. He was once named Yashagorō and was one of Jiraiya's followers, but he was overtaken by serpent magic. Having changed his name to "Orochimaru", he gained the ability to turn himself into a giant serpent. He attacked Jiraiya and his wife Tsunade and defeated them with his venom (only for another follower to save the couple's lives afterwards). "Orochi" is the name of a giant eight-headed snake in Japanese mythology. The kanji literally mean "giant snake" or "serpent"."

So i guess that explains the reason as to why he looks and controls snakes...lol...

Answer 2

The first part of his name (orochi) means snake. The second part (maru) is a common ending for male Japanese names. It's a " pun within a pun". Orochimaru's character is afflicted with snakes, so masashi kishimoto made the character's name involved with snakes.

Only half of that is true. "Orochi" does not mean "snake." That would be "hebi." It means "dragon" or "mythical eight-headed serpent." Maru is, though, a common ending for male names.

Orochi does not mean dragon that's tatsu