What was J.K. Rowling’s surname before her 1992 marriage?

J.K. Rowling’s surname before her 1992 marriage was Rowling.

She was born Joanne Rowling, and her professional name was formed from that surname. In 1992 she married Portuguese television journalist Jorge Arantes and became known in private life for a period as Joanne Rowling Arantes. They had one daughter, Jessica, before separating.

Rowling later used the professional name J. K. Rowling when Harry Potter was published. The “K” was taken from Kathleen, her paternal grandmother’s name, because her publisher believed a name with initials might appeal to a broad readership.

This distinction helps explain why biographical sources may use Joanne Rowling, Joanne Rowling Arantes, or J. K. Rowling for different periods. “Katherine” is often incorrectly supplied as the source of the initial; Rowling has identified Kathleen instead.