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After Harry Potter's final installment, the young hero married Ginny Weasley. The couple had three children whose names were divisive at best: James Sirius, Lily Luna, and the most controversial, Albus Severus. Many fans felt there were better or more reasonable people for Harry and Ginny to name their children after.

Harry despised Snape until the story's end, so most felt that naming his son after the professor didn't make sense. Additionally, their daughter's name sparked controversy among fans, as choosing Luna felt random. There were more important people, either in the couples' lives or in the fight against Voldemort, whom they could've honored via their children.

Updated on March 11, 2024, by Andrea Sandoval: After all he went through, Harry Potter decided to name his children after people he respected. Of course, his parents, James and Lily, made the list, and the fandom understands his reasoning. Even the name Albus makes sense, because, despite his flaws, Dumbledore was a mentor and a father figure. However, Harry should have honored several more important characters through his kids' names than Severus Snape and Luna Lovegood. We updated this article to add even more characters who Harry should have considered naming his kids after in Harry Potter.

12 Narcissa Malfoy Saved Harry from Being Killed by Voldemort

• Portrayed by: Helen McCrory

If you attack my son again, I shall ensure that it is the last thing you ever do.

- Narcissa Malfoy, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

While Narcissa, as Lucius Malfoy's wife and Draco's mother, was considered an antagonist for most of the Harry Potter series, she became a hero in the last installment. Narcissa lied to Lord Voldemort, making him believe that Harry was dead after the Killing Curse hit him for the second time. Without Narcissa's intervention, Harry surely couldn't have survived a third attack from the Dark Lord. What's more, if Voldemort had realized Narcissa was lying, he would have murdered her instantly.

Many might believe that Narcissa could be a controversial choice for Harry's children, but it would show his kids that it was the sacrifice of those who used to be loyal to Lord Voldemort that eventually saved magical society. Surely, after the war, the Wizarding World remained socio-politically divided despite Voldemort's death. Harry naming his child after one of the most loyal members of the Black family would be a significant gesture that could unify wizarding society.

11 Colin Creevey Was Only a Kid When He Died in the Battle of Hogwarts

• Portrayed by: Hugh Mitchell

Is it OK if I bring my camera? No, probably not we don’t want photos of the secret meetings. I won’t bring it then, great, no problem!

- Colin Creevey, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

A year younger than Harry, Colin Creevey arrived at Hogwarts during Harry's second year, when the Basilisk attacked. As a Muggle-born, Colin was impressed with every aspect of the magical world, especially Harry. Because of this, he went around everywhere with his camera taking pictures. Colin was petrified by the Basilisk but was healed in no time. Later, he also joins Dumbledore's Army, again showing Harry his unwavering loyalty.

Colin Creevey arrived at the Battle of Hogwarts after everyone in the castle called witches and wizards who wanted to oppose Lord Voldemort. Despite his young age, he fought fiercely alongside his classmates and professors, but was brutally murdered by the Death Eaters. Harry should have honored this great Gryffindor, his biggest admirer, who died a hero at such a young age.

10 Minerva McGonagall Was Their Most Loyal Professor

• Portrayed by: Maggie Smith

Why is it, when something happens, it is always you three?

Professor McGonagall, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Professor McGonagall was Harry and Ginny's Transfiguration professor and house head. She was undoubtedly the most loyal and unwavering Hogwarts professor, as she always did what was right to protect the students. She even stood up against Dumbledore when she disagreed with his decisions regarding the student's well-being.

McGonagall bravely fought alongside the Hogwarts students and risked her life multiple times to protect them. If Harry and Ginny wanted to honor Hogwarts staff members, as they did with Dumbledore and Snape, Minerva would've made a beautiful middle name for their daughter Lily.

9 Harry & Ginny's Grandfather, Arthur Weasley, Deserved A Nod

• Portrayed by: Mark Williams

Times like these, dark times, they do funny things to people. They can tear them apart.

Arthur Weasley, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Arthur Weasley was Ginny's father and Harry's substitute father his entire childhood. Arthur was a kindhearted, Muggle-obsessed man who never wavered from Harry's side, even when his bosses tried to discredit and gaslight the young boy regarding Voldemort's return.

James was an excellent name for Harry's son, but many fans felt that Ginny's dad also deserved recognition. Arthur Weasley was a great father who basically raised Harry. While James Sirius is a great name for their eldest, Arthur would've made a much better middle name for their younger son, and it would've honored the patriarch of the Weasley family perfectly.

8 Cedric's Death Forever Changed Harry

• Portrayed by: Robert Pattinson

You take it. You should win. That's twice you've saved my neck in here.

- Cedric Diggory, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Cedric Diggory was a kindhearted and loyal Hufflepuff student who competed alongside Harry in the Triwizard Tournament. Unfortunately, Cedric and Harry unknowingly used a Portkey and ended up in Voldemort's trap. On Voldemort's orders, Peter Pettigrew murdered the young student without hesitation.

Harry witnessed Cedric's death and was never the same afterward, as he was riddled with guilt and grief. The boy's murder also marked the beginning of the impending war. If Harry wanted to honor those who died along the way to Voldemort's defeat, Cedric would've made a great option.

7 Neville's Bravery Allowed Harry To Defeat Voldemort

• Portrayed by: Matthew Lewis

You’re sneaking out again, aren’t you? I won’t let you! You’ll get Gryffindor into trouble again.

- Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Neville Longbottom was Harry and Ginny's friend at Hogwarts. When Harry left to hunt Horcruxes, Neville, Ginny, and Luna reinstated Dumbledore's Army and kept students and Order members connected and hopeful. During the battle, Neville killed Nagini, the final Horcrux, which allowed Harry to defeat Voldemort.

Harry and Ginny named their daughter after Luna, so they evidently were okay with using living friends' names. However, Neville arguably played a more significant role in the battle than Luna because Voldemort might still be standing without him. Therefore, it would've made just as much, if not more, sense to use Neville's name than Luna's.

6 Alastor Moody Suffered And Died For The Cause

• Portrayed by: Brendan Gleeson

That's a Foe-Glass. Let's me keep an eye on my enemies. If I can see the whites of their eyes, they're standing right behind me.

- Mad-Eye Moody, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody was a famous Auror who hunted down and imprisoned dangerous Death Eaters after the First Wizarding War. During Harry's fourth year, Barty Crouch, Jr. captured and imprisoned Moody in a magical trunk for the entire school year.

Unfortunately, Voldemort hit Moody with the Killing Curse during the Battle of the Seven Potters, and Death Eaters took his body. Harry was very fond of Moody, devastated by his death, and was distraught that they couldn't give him a proper funeral. To honor the great Auror, Alastor's name would've been great for Harry and Ginny's son.

5 Tonks Left Safety To Help Her Husband

• Portrayed by: Natalia Tena

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Don't call me, Nymphadora!

- Tonks, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Nymphadora Tonks was an Order of the Phoenix member who spent years protecting Harry from Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Before the war, she married Remus Lupin and gave birth to their baby, Teddy. During the battle, Tonks was safe at home with the newborn but decided to join the fight to protect Remus.

Although she played a small role in the Harry Potter films, Tonks and Ginny were very close in the books, and she constantly messed around and had fun at Grimmauld Place with Hermione. Tonks hated her first name, so it might not have been a great choice to use Nymphadora; however, Harry and Ginny could've come up with a variation to honor their friend.

4 Remus Lupin Loved Harry Like A Son

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Portrayed by: David Thewlis

Fear makes people do terrible things.

-Lupin, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Remus Lupin was a Marauder, one of James Potter's best friends, and an Order member who did anything to protect Harry. He became the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor in Harry's third year, where he was able to watch over the young wizard and continued to do so until his death.

Lupin adored Harry and even made him his son Teddy's godfather. Lupin died in the Battle of Hogwarts alongside his wife, but his spirit helped guide Harry into the woods to stand up to Voldemort and face death. Remus would've made a much better name for Harry's son, to go alongside James Sirius and honor the three best friends in a new generation.

3 Molly Immediately Became Harry's Substitute Mother

• ​​​​​​​Portrayed by: Julie Walters

Just because you can use magic now does not mean you have to whip your wands out for everything.

- Molly Weasley, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Molly Weasley, Ginny's mother, first met Harry in King's Cross and helped him onto Platform 9 3/4. The loving mother immediately adopted Harry into her family, and eventually, he became a fixture in their home and lives. Knowing his story, she felt it necessary to show him the maternal love he'd been missing his whole life.

The couple naming their daughter Lily after Harry's deceased mother made sense. However, Molly would've made a better middle name for her granddaughter, as the adoring matriarch impacted Harry and Ginny significantly more than Luna.

2 Hagrid Was The Best Father Figure Harry Had

• Portrayed by: Robbie Coltrane​​​​​​​

You're a wizard, Harry.

- Hagrid, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry considered many people father figures, but the best and most unwavering was undoubtedly Rubeus Hagrid. The selfless, loving half-giant brought Harry to the Dursleys as a baby and then picked him up again to go to Hogwarts for the first time. He loved Harry and his friends wholeheartedly and would do anything to defend them.

Many have expressed anger that Harry chose Severus Snape, who relentlessly bullied Harry and his friends, over Hagrid, who loved the kids unconditionally. Most fans felt that Ruby, after Rubeus, was a beautiful name for Harry's daughter and would've been a great honor for the excellent role model who saw Harry as a son.

1 Ginny's Brother Fred Died In Battle

• ​​​​​​​Portrayed by: James Phelps

Saint-like. I'm holy. I'm holey, Fred. Get it?

- Fred Weasley, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One

Fred Weasley was Ginny's fun-loving older brother who was extremely close to Harry. Fred and his twin George played Quidditch with Harry, spent time with him outside Hogwarts, and frequently helped him sneak around or out of the school.

Fred died during the Battle of Hogwarts, devastating the Weasley family. Harry and Ginny were close to Fred, so it would've made the most sense to name their child after him. Fans have argued that the Weasleys were saving the name for George's children, but Harry and Ginny still could've used it as a middle name rather than Severus.