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I personally love Harry for a boy and i would use it anyway despite HP - i think that it is quite a popular name anyway. In a way i think even though it is the main character in HP you would get less of an association than if you used a name like Albus or Luna, because it is an 'ordinary' name. If you see what i mean? I say go for it :)

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p.s my godbrother is called Harry and he is the sweetest, kindest boy i have ever met so i have nothing but good associations with Harry

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p.p.s I love it as a nn for Henry as well

I really like it. And not necessarily because of Harry Potter. I think it would be fine to use it, but there will be plenty of people who will ask if it's after Harry Potter at first. The Harry Potter fad will die down eventually, though, at least a bit, so it's not like it will be the only thing on everybody's mind when they hear the name Harry.

No...

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I love Harry and plan on having a Harrison myself. Henry, Harry, Harrison they all have that wonderful old sweater appeal, so if it's popularity that you're worried about maybe its an issue, but otherwise it's lovely and fresh (for now at least).

Nah. Harry's a well-established name outside of Harry Potter. Still, I'd much rather see a Henry or Harold nn Harry than a regular Harry.

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MUCH rather.
MUCH.

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Also it's cool, but it sounds exactly the same as Hairy in my dialect.

I didn't like the name Harry before the books came out, and I continue to not like the name. I didn't catch the Harry Potter fever and I have not read the books or seen the movies. So maybe that is why I don't think that the popularity of the books will change the way people feel about the name. Even though I'm not a fan of the name Harry, I don't think that it would be a mistake to name your child this.

No...Harry was chosen for HP because she wanted him to have a well-known name and therefore be a bit of a blank slate. I threw Hermione out the window with that series, but Harry is much more common and known on people other than Harry Potter (like Prince Harry for example). I think it would be just fine.

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Although I personally would name the kid Henry (or Harold or Harvey or something) and call him Harry. But Harry, even though it's a nickname, is not hopelessly nn-y. (Like the way I think, perhaps, Katie is...if I were Katie, I'd want Katherine on my birth certificate, but if I was Harry I'd be okay with just Harry.) More formal birth certificate names are just my preference.

I like it.

of couse not!

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I would name my son Harry BECAUSE of the Harry Potter series. The main character represents good triumphing over evil, and while these books are really popular now, when the movies are over I suspect much of the hype will die down. The Harry Potter series does not taint the name Harry for me whatsoever!

I really dislike it.

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Not sure why, either. I don't think the Harry Potter connection is too much. If Harry had a more unusual name, such as Remus, then yes, it would be too closely connected. However, it's a very common first name, and the connection will fade quickly.

Well, I'm a Harry Potter fan, and would possibly name a child after a Harry Potter character because I liked the name, the meaning of the name, and the character.

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If you are not a Harry Potter fan, and you don't want people to think you named your child after Harry Potter, or have people associate the child with the character, then don't use the name.

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If you really like the name and don't mind people assuming things, then go ahead and use the name. I would personally use the name in a few years time, but not mow.

No, I don't think it would be a mistake.

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It's currently #5 in England and Wales and is on the rise again after a brief dip. That's a lot of Harrys and a lot probably named because of Harry Potter (maybe not after him but the name's been brought to their attention).

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It's not an unusual name and I doubt Harry Potter would be the first thought upon meeting one. My mum looks after a Harry and the kids do call him Harry Potter (or rather Harry Potter Lastname) but it doesn't bother him and it's usually forgotton for a while after a few minutes and is usually accompanied with a bit of light-hearted teasing for other names, eg Timmy the Tortoise.

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However this is only from an English viewpoint. Things might be different in America (mainly to do with the HAIR-ree rather that HAR-ree pronunciation) but I don't think it would be a mistake. It's not like it's Anakin, Eowyn or something immediately linked with a part of pop culture.

nah, it's a common enough name. people will definately make the connection, but it's not like naming their son Albus or Marvolo.

I don't think it'd be horrible. He probably would get harry potter teasing, but at least it's universally known that Harry is the good guy. The name has been gaining in popularity in Britain, if not in the US.

Harry is a nickname for Henry.

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name him Henry

I would totally use the combo Harry James. (James honoring my Grandfather.). Harry is a traditional,English name, and James is Scottish. The Harry Potter series does have something to do with the sudden use of the name, but this isn't the first time pop culture has encouraged the use of a specific name either.

It wouldn't be a mistake. There were plenty of Harry's before the books were written, so I wouldn't let it bother you.