Why Harry named his son after Severus Snape

When the epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows revealed that Harry and Ginny named their second son Albus Severus, it sparked quite a bit of debate among fans. Looking past the memes and the internet jokes, the reasoning actually runs deep into the core of who Harry is as a person.

Put simply, Harry is entitled to name his children whatever he wants, but choosing Severus came from a place of profound reflection and maturity. Throughout his school years, Harry despised Snape—and for good reason, given how bitterly and unfairly Snape treated him. However, surviving the war and uncovering Snape's true loyalties completely shifted Harry's perspective. In Snape, Harry ultimately recognized one of the bravest men he had ever known.

During his lifetime, almost no one knew the heavy sacrifices Snape made or the extreme danger he put himself in to protect Harry and defeat Voldemort. Through no fault of their own, the wider wizarding world only saw a bitter, cruel professor. By naming his son after him, Harry wanted to ensure that at least someone kept Snape's memory alive, honoring the monumental heroism and redemption that defined his final years.

What are your thoughts on Harry's choice—do you think Snape deserved the tribute, or should it have gone to someone else?

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