Harry Potter was almost named Harry Pottermore

Harry Potter, one of literature's most famous protagonists, came to his name through intentional creative process by J.K. Rowling. While 'Harry' was selected relatively early, Rowling considered various surnames before settling on 'Potter.' The choice proved fortuitous—it's an ordinary English occupational surname traditionally referring to ceramic makers, grounding character identity in the muggle world while having magical, whimsical quality. Rowling discussed her naming process in interviews, explaining character names were extremely important to storytelling. She deliberately chose names suggesting character traits or backgrounds. The surname 'Potter' works on multiple levels: mundane and relatable, grounding Harry in working-class British culture, with a magical sound. The combination has rhythmic quality making it memorable and marketable. Had Rowling selected a different surname it might have fundamentally altered character perception and series tone.