Harry James Potter
That’s right! Harry Potter is not Harry Potter in every translation of the stories. In Brazil, the Boy-Who-Lived’s middle name is no longer James, it’s Tiago. In Norwegian, James becomes Jakob.
His entire name is completely different in the Latvian edition – Harijs Džeims Poters. It’s a similar story in the Lithuanian version, where he’s known as Haris Džeimsas Poteris.
Ronald Bilius Weasley
You know him as member of the iconic Weasley family… but that isn’t always the case. In Norwegian, the Weasleys become the Wiltersons, with Ron known as Ronny Kolerius Wiltersen. Whereas in Dutch, his family name is Wemel.
While the Latvian version only changed Ron’s surname to Vīzlij, the Lithuanian translation has a few more modifications to the original – Ronaldas Bilijus Vizlis.
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Hermione Jean Granger
At first glance, the translations of Hermione’s name all look quite similar. However, channel her attention to detail and you’ll spot the unique distinctions.
Take the Hungarian version, where her middle name has gone from Jean to Jane. Or the Norwegian, where she is known as Hermine Grang. Then there’s the Polish, Hermiona Granger, too.
The Dutch edition has a few more changes, where she is known by the powerful moniker, Hermelien Griffel.
Her first name remains the same in Latvian, as Hermione Džīn Grendžer. Though that’s not the case in Lithuanian where she’s known as Hermiona Džin Įkyrėlė.
Albus Dumbledore
The twinkly-eyed Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is known as Alvo rather than Albus in Brazil. Going a step further, both of his names are different in Lithuanian edition, where he’s known as Albas Dumbldoras. The Latvian is even more distinct, with the headmaster known as Baltuss Dumidors.
Though a few translations keep the first name, Albus, the same can’t be said for his surname, Dumbledore. In Italian, the enigmatic headmaster is Silente – the Italian word for silence. In Dutch, Dumbledore becomes Perkamentus and he’s Albus Humlesnurr in Norwegian.
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Severus Snape
In some translations of the stories, the rather severe Severus isn’t known as Severus at all. In fact, his name in Hungarian is unrecognisable – Perselus Piton!
While not quite such a dramatic change, in Brazil, Severus become Severo. The Latvian translates Severus Snape to Severuss Strups, and in Lithuanian he’s Severas Sneipas.
His surname might not be the same in different countries… but they all suit his waspish personality. Snape becomes Sneep in Dutch, Piton in Italian and even Slur in Norwegian. In French his surname is Rogue – fitting for how his story eventually unfolds.
Minerva McGonagall
Although known by various names in various languages, each capture the firm but fair nature of the brilliant Head of Gryffindor. In fact, many kept Minerva – which was also the name of the Roman goddess of warriors and wisdom – only altering her last name.
Such as the Lithuanian translation, where McGonagall becomes the very similar, Makgonagal. Plus, the Hungarian edition, where her last name is McGalagony.
Although it retains the start of the Transfiguration teacher’s surname, in Norway, Minerva is now a McSnurp. The Dutch edition ditches the original name completely, calling her Minerva Anderling.
In Latvia, both names were changed when translated – becoming Minervas Maksūra. In the Polish books, she’s Minerwy McGonagal.
Draco Malfoy
Harry’s arch-rival had a name that suited his slippery nature – in every language. In Dutch he became the malevolent, Malfidus. The Norwegian translation adds to that sharp nature, with Malfang.
Similar to the English edition, in French, Draco Malfoy becomes Drago Malefoy – with both surnames having been influenced by the old French for ‘bad faith’.
Latvia follows a similar pattern, with Drako Malfojs still appearing to be quite close to the original. However, the Lithuanian moves away from Malfoy entirely with Drakas Smirdžius.
Neville Longbottom
Did you know that in the Dutch translation, Neville is no longer Neville but Marcel? Yep, our favourite Gryffindor underdog is the one and only, Marcel Lubbermans.
Both his names are also different in Norwegian, where he is known as Nilus Langballe. It’s a similar story for the Latvian version, where he’s known as Nevils Lēniņš and the Lithuanian too, as Nevilis Nevėkšla.
In the French edition, Neville is still called Neville, but his last name is Londubat rather than Longbottom.
Lord Voldemort
Ah the Dark Lord. In Chamber of Secrets, we learn (thanks to a handy anagram) that Tom Marvolo Riddle is none other than Lord Voldemort. When the stories were translated, his name needed a little adjusting to make it work in other languages, giving us some fantastic versions of Voldemort.
In France, Elvis hasn’t left the building, with Tom Elvis Jedusor. In Dutch, he is the extremely sensible-sounding Marten Asmodom Vilijn. This is just the tip of the iceberg! With names including Romeo, find out how Voldemort is known around the world right here.
Peter Pettigrew
A rat through-and-through, we might have also known him as Scabbers and Wormtail, but those aren’t his only other names. In Brazil, Peter became Pedro and in Poland, he’s Petera.
The opposite is true for the Dutch translation, where he keeps Peter but is Pippeling rather than Pettigrew. It’s the same for the French, where there’s a subtle shift from Pettigrew to Pettigrow.
In some languages, there are differences in both names. Take Norwegian, where he’s Petter Pittelpytt. The Latvian edition calls him, Pīters Sīkaudzis. Finally, in Lithuanian he’s the pitiful, Piteris Trumpulis.
Buckbeak
Last, but by no means least, we have Buckbeak. A Hippogriff who was no stranger to a name change – he did become Witherwings after all! In Germany, he is known by the rather excellent, Seidenschnabel. In Italy, he goes by moniker, Fierobecco. The Dutch version of his name is the strong, Scheurbek.
We can’t help but think that the Norwegian, Bukknebb, sounds rather cute – plus the Brazilian Portuguese version, Bicuço.
In Poland, Buckbeak beomes Hardodziob. In Latvia he is known as Švītknābis. In Lithuania, he’s Kietasprandis and called Csikócsõr in the Hungarian translations – phew! What a smorgasbord of brilliant names.
