Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire legally changed his name to avoid a childhood nickname that his mother detested. The 33-year-old centre-back was originally named Jacob on his birth certificate, but his mother swapped his first and middle names because she could not bear to hear him called Jakey.
Maguire Reveals Name Change Story
Speaking on TNT Sports ahead of Manchester United's visit to Tottenham Hotspur in November, Maguire explained: "My mum decided to call me Jacob Harry (Maguire) when I was born. 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."
The legal name change coincided with the launch of his professional career. Maguire made his Sheffield United debut just a month after turning 18 in a Championship fixture against Middlesbrough.
Career Progression
Maguire excelled at the core of Sheffield United's backline, earning a spot in the PFA Team of the Year for League One in back-to-back campaigns. Hull City and Wolverhampton Wanderers competed for his services, with Hull emerging victorious. His outstanding displays helped steer Steve Bruce's team back to the Premier League at the first attempt, before he secured a transfer to Leicester City that summer.
His career took off in the East Midlands as he progressed from strength to strength, establishing himself as a mainstay in the England setup. In 2019, Manchester United paid £80 million to acquire him, making him the most expensive British player ever at the time.
Manchester United Tenure
Since joining United, Maguire has accumulated over 250 appearances at Old Trafford and signed a new contract extending his stay until June 2027, with an option for an additional year. He played a vital role in Michael Carrick's mid-season revival as the Red Devils achieved their best league placing since 2023 with a third-place finish.
Maguire is not alone in the England dressing room when it comes to name changes. He joins a list of Three Lions stars like Jordan Pickford, Joe Hart, and Dele Alli, who have all altered their first or last names for personal reasons over the years.
