The rise of “Harry” in Queensland – a Potter history

More than 1400 newborn Queenslanders have been named “Harry” since the release of the first book in J.K. Rowling’s internationally acclaimed Harry Potter series a decade ago.

Attorney-General Kerry Shine said the Queensland Government’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages records births that occur in the State, and according to its records 1409 newborns have been named “Harry” since 1997.

Mr Shine said the number of Queensland baby boys named “Harry” could increase at an even greater rate with the latest Harry Potter movie recently premiering and the world-wide release of the seventh and final book in the series at the weekend.

The book – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – will be released on Saturday, 21 July.

“In 1996, before Harry Potter was a household name, there were only 70 newborns named ‘Harry’. The following year (1997), with the release of the first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, that number skyrocketed to 103,” Mr Shine said.

“By the time the fourth novel had been released in 2000 the number of new babies named ‘Harry’ had jumped to 177.”

“It reached mystical proportions in Queensland in 2005 and 2006 with 158 and 195 respectively. This may have had something to do with the release of the film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in 2005.”

“So far there have been 75 boys named ‘Harry’ in Queensland this year and one can only assume there will be plenty more with the release of the new book and film.”

Mr Shine said equally of interest was the popularity of the names of Harry's friends in the popular novels.

“In 1996, there was no sign of the name ‘Hermoine’ on the register of new births,” he said.

“There were three new babies called ‘Hermoine’ between 1997 and 2002, but in 2003 and the release of the fifth book in the series, a further six little girls were given the name of Harry's trusty companion.”

Mr Shine said despite the revival in “Harry” and the growing popularity of “Hermoine”, the top baby names for Queensland boys and girls have remained stable in recent years.

“Jack” has been the most popular boy's name for the past four years, while “Ella” has been the most popular girl's name in Queensland since 2004.

Mr Shine said his own name, “Kerry”, did not feature in the top 100 baby names last year.

18 July 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350