J.K. Rowling reveals she originally named Harry Potter as 'Harry Batt' in series
 

While not much will be revealed from J.K. Rowling's chat at Exeter College this past weekend, a new rather interesting tidbit was announced. Rowling commented on how both morality and mortality - which have been two big themes in the Harry Potter series - would continue in all her future works, including the sequel to The Cuckoo's Calling, out later this year.

One new note from the chat, for Exeter College’s 700th anniversary, was that Harry Potter was not originally Rowling's first name for her titular character, but Harry Batt.

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Harry Batt? I'm so glad she changed it to "Potter." Although Potter sounds better because that's what we're used to, I honestly don't think "Harry Batt and the Philosopher's Stone" would have sold as well. It isn't as catchy.

Harry Batt? ok thats just hilarious :lmao:

but oh man the puns that could've come out of that.

Here's another perfect example of what I mean when I say "messing with the fans." :lol:

Harry Batt. I mean really.

:lol: That sounds so funny. So glad she changed the name!

I'm glad and not surprised that those two themes will continue to be in her works. Morality, relatable characters, and a great imagination was what made Harry Potter so great.

I'm really starting to wonder if she's just joking with us on that one. Harry Batt would have too easy a name to parody, like Harry Batty. :lmao:

Harry Batt, beat that. :lol:

That name is definitely not as good as Harry Potter. Harry Batt?? The surname Potter flows, because it has two syllables.

She's doing this to mess with us, I'm certain of it.

Haha, I can't imagine...
"Harry Batt and the Goblet of Fire"
"The Wizarding World of Harry Batt"
It's quite strange...
Ohh the bad rhymes... 'Harry Batt the brat'
That's absurd... I'm happy his last name came out sounding normal... Hehe

Yeah i am quite glad she changed the name. Harry Batt doesn't roll off the tongue as Harry Potter. I would literally picture a bat the whole time if i first picked up the book XD.

Batt outta hell
Gone Batty
Batting for the wrong team...

omgosh JKR should do a parody. Comic Relief stuff, it would sell :D

Harry Batt just doesn't sound catchy in the least. Maybe it's because we're used to Harry Potter, but I can't imagine a book series named Harry Batt being taken seriously. It sounds like something from a childrens book about a hairy bat that they named Harry Batt.

And speaking of changes, do you think anything would've been changed if they named him Harry Batt? Like maybe his personality or something? Because in my mind, that would bring along a lot of changes.

Harry Batt... I don't know why, but it reminds me of Beavis & But*-head... or Peeves & Batt-Harry...

No no no no no. Too many jokes... Just no. Thank you for changing your mind, Jo.

Wow! I definitely couldn't have imagined that. Potter is much better imo! :P