Discover 10 things that you never knew about Professor Dumbledore. This includes the hidden meaning behind his name, surprising details from J.K. Rowling interviews, and even his unexpected favorite hobby. These are all Albus Dumbledore facts that have been revealed from outside of the books.
Professor Dumbledore Facts
1) ‘Dumbledore’ is an old English word that means ‘Bumblebee’.
Here is a quote from J.K Rowling from a 1999 interview:
“Dumbledore is an old English word meaning bumblebee. Because Albus Dumbledore is very fond of music, I always imagined him as sort of humming to himself a lot.”
2) ‘Albus’ is Latin for ‘White’
Here is a quote from J.K Rowling from a 2015 article on Pottermore:
“Colours also played their part in the naming of Hagrid and Dumbledore, whose first names are Rubeus (red) and Albus (white) respectively. The choice was a nod to alchemy, which is so important in the first Harry Potter book, where ‘the red’ and ‘the white’ are essential mystical components of the process. The symbolism of the colours in this context has mystic meaning, representing different stages of the alchemic process (which many people associate with a spiritual transformation). Where my two characters were concerned, I named them for the alchemical colours to convey their opposing but complementary natures: red meaning passion (or emotion); white for asceticism; Hagrid being the earthy, warm and physical man, lord of the forest; Dumbledore the spiritual theoretician, brilliant, idealised and somewhat detached. Each is a necessary counterpoint to the other as Harry seeks father figures in his new world’
- SOURCE: https://www.harrypotter.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/colours
On a related note, check out our Snape facts article next, which has similar information behind his name and inspiration.
3) Dumbledore’s Middle Names All Have Different Inspirations
Here is an excerpt from an article on Pottermore, that dives into the inspirations behind characters names:
“‘Percival’ suggests a history of battle, as Percival was one of the legendary knights in King Arthur’s court. Wulfric, oddly enough, means ‘wolf power’ – although we’re pretty sure Albus didn’t have any lycanthropy skills. As for Brian? That is an old Celtic word, meaning ‘noble’, which Albus very much was.“
4) Dumbledore’s Boggart
J.K Rowling took part in a Web chat in 2007. During this, she was asked what Dumbledore’s boggart would be. Here is what Rowling said:
“The corpse of his sister”
- SOURCE: https://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/07/30/j-k-rowling-web-chat-transcript/
5) What Dumbledore Saw In The Mirror Of Erised
In the same Web chat from 2007, Rowling was asked what Dumbledore would see in the Mirror of Erised. Here is what Rowling said:
“He saw his family alive, whole and happy – Ariana, Percival and Kendra all returned to him, and Aberforth reconciled to him.”
- SOURCE: https://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/07/30/j-k-rowling-web-chat-transcript/
6) Dumbledore Knew Several Languages
In the same Web chat from 2007, Rowling was asked how Dumbledore understands Parseltongue. Here is what Rowling said:
“Dumbledore understood Mermish, Gobbledegook and Parseltongue. The man was brilliant.”
- SOURCE: https://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/07/30/j-k-rowling-web-chat-transcript/
7) Dumbledore’s Hobbies
On the ‘Albus Dumbledore Fact file’ from the old Pottermore website, some of Dumbledore’s hobbies were revealed. Here is what it said:
“Ten pin bowling and chamber music’
8) J.K Rowling says that Dumbledore is her favorite character in the entire series (other than Harry Potter)
Here is what Rowling Tweeted back in 2016:
Q: Besides Harry, who is your favorite character in the series?
A: Dumbledore.
- SOURCE: https://x.com/jk_rowling/status/719549949449498624?s=20
9) ) Rowling says out of all of the characters, she would like the most to have dinner with Dumbledore.
Here is a quote from Rowling:
“Now that I have finished writing the books, the character I would most like to meet for dinner is Dumbledore. We would have a lot to discuss, and I would love his advice; I think that everyone would like a Dumbledore in their lives.”’
10) Dumbledore Is Involved In J.K Rowling’s Favorite Fan Theory
J.K Rowling was asked on Twitter what her favorite fan theory was. Here is what she wrote back in 2015:
Q: what’s you favourite fan theory??
A: “Dumbledore as death. It’s a beautiful theory and it fits.”
- SOURCE: https://x.com/jk_rowling/status/634666937990152192
Do you have any Dumbledore facts that we missed from outside of the books? If so, let us know in the comments.