In October 2000, during a question-and-answer session with her fans, JK Rowling explained to them in particular the reasons which had led her to name her main character in this way.
We are in 1990.
On the Manchester station platform, a young woman of around 25 has just missed her train. As she waits until the next one arrives, she begins to imagine a story. That of a skinny young boy, brown, with glasses, unaware that he is a wizard.
Joanne Rowling has no idea yet that from this idea will soon be born one of the most popular literary (and cinematic) franchises of all time. However, 7 years later, the first part of his magical saga arrives in bookstores, and triggers a real tidal wave. Its hero is called Harry Potter.
But by the way, where did the idea for this particular name come from? In October 2000, ten years after missing her train in Manchester, JK Rowling returned to the origin of this surname, during a question-and-answer session with her many fans:
Warner Bros.
“Harry has always been my favorite male name”she explained. “If my daughter had been a boy, he would have been called Harry Rowling. But then I would have had to find another name for ‘Harry’ in the books, because it would have been too cruel to name him after my own son. “Potter” was the name of a family that lived near me when I was 7, and I always liked that name, so I borrowed it.”
A rather classic origin for a name that has since gone around the world. To sum up, if JK Rowling had had a son, Harry Potter would most certainly have had another first name. And there are undoubtedly today, around Bristol, the descendants of a family who can be proud of having given their name to the famous character.
(Re)discover our video dedicated to Harry Potter…