Which fictional doctor is House M.D. named after?

House M.D. is named after its central fictional doctor, Gregory House.

Dr. Gregory House leads the diagnostic team at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. The title uses his surname followed by “M.D.,” the abbreviation for Doctor of Medicine, rather than naming the hospital or medical department.

Gregory House is portrayed by Hugh Laurie. He is known for solving rare and complicated cases while breaking rules, insulting colleagues, and relying on a cane after a serious leg injury. His methods create much of the show's conflict.

The character's surname also supports the series' Sherlock Holmes parallels. “House” resembles “Holmes,” and Wilson echoes Dr. Watson, Holmes's friend. Those references are influences on the character and structure, not an indication that House is literally a version of Holmes in the story.