What was J.K. Rowling’s birth name before she began using her married surname?

J.K. Rowling was born Joanne Rowling on 31 July 1965 in Yate, Gloucestershire, England.

She later used the surname Murray during her first marriage, but her published name became Rowling again after that marriage ended. The initials “J.K.” were chosen before the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone because her publisher believed a book by a woman might appeal less to some boy readers if the author’s full name appeared on the cover.

The “K” does not come from Rowling’s birth name. Her publisher suggested adding a second initial, and Rowling selected Kathleen, a family name associated with her paternal grandmother. As a result, Joanne Rowling became publicly known as J.K. Rowling, even though “Kathleen” was not part of her registered birth name.

A common mix-up is calling her “Joanne Kathleen Rowling” as though that were her original name. It is the professional form associated with her author identity, while her birth name was Joanne Rowling.