Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire has disclosed that he legally changed his first name from Jacob to Harry as a teenager because his mother disliked the nickname Jakey. The 33-year-old England international, now widely known as Harry, was originally named Jacob Harry Maguire at birth.
Mother's Dislike of Nickname Prompted Change
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur in November, Maguire explained the circumstances. "My mum decided to call me Jacob Harry (Maguire) when I was born," he said. "Then, after three months, people started calling me Jakey. She didn't like it so she swapped it around to Harry Jacob (Maguire) but she couldn't change it by passport until I was 18. As soon as I was 18, I changed it around, so it's actually officially Harry Jacob now."
Maguire is not the first England international to alter his name. Jordan Pickford, Joe Hart, and Dele Alli have all adopted new first names or surnames for personal reasons.
Name Change Coincided with Professional Debut
The legal name change occurred just as Maguire's professional career was beginning. He made his debut for Sheffield United in a Championship match against Middlesbrough one month after his 18th birthday. Maguire quickly established himself in the Blades' defence, earning consecutive selections in the PFA Team of the Year for League One. His performances attracted interest from Hull City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Hull securing his signature.
At Hull, Maguire helped Steve Bruce's side secure an immediate return to the Premier League before moving to Leicester City that summer. His career flourished in the East Midlands, where he became a regular for England.
Record Transfer and Continued Success
In 2019, Maguire became the most expensive British player in history when Manchester United paid £80 million for his services. He has since made over 250 appearances for the club and signed a new contract on Tuesday, extending his stay until June 2027 with an option for an additional year. Maguire played a key role in Michael Carrick's mid-season turnaround, helping United achieve a third-place finish in the Premier League, their highest since 2023.
