What was the first published Harry Potter book’s American title?

The first published Harry Potter book’s American title was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

In the United Kingdom and several other markets, the novel was published as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Scholastic changed the title for the United States because editor Arthur Levine thought “sorcerer” would be more immediately understandable to American children than “philosopher.” The story and main plot remained the same.

This title difference is one of the best-known examples of regional variation in the series. Some wording was also adjusted in the American edition, including certain vocabulary choices, but the title change is the most visible difference.

The American edition appeared in 1998, after Bloomsbury had launched the British edition in 1997. The first film used the American title in the United States, while the British version retained “Philosopher’s” in its title and dialogue.