Is "Remus Lupin" His Real Name?

[cindysphynx]

No: HPFGUIDX 32651

Several people have mentioned how odd it is that Lupin's parents 
would have given their baby a name that means 
essentially "werewolf."  It is totally illogical -- akin to having 
the parents of newborn Ted Bundy name him "Serial Killer" or some 
such.  Lupin's name is especially peculiar considering that wizards 
don't like werewolves, and Lupin's parents were probably not 
werewolves themselves (judging by the fact that they were worried he 
couldn't come to Hogwarts and tried everything to cure him).  So if 
Lupin's parents didn't give him his name, where might he have gotten 
it?

Here's a theory.  We know Lupin was bitten as a small boy.  We also 
know MoM began to register werewolves in the Werewolf Registry 
beginning in 1947, and werewolves are governed by the Werewolf Code 
of Conduct.  Perhaps when werewolves present themselves for 
registration, the MoM changes their name to something calculated to 
tip off others that the wizard is really a werewolf.  

Under this theory, Lupin's parents would have given him an ordinary 
name at birth, but MoM would have required him to use his werewolf 
registry name of Remus Lupin, which Lupin obtained after the bite but 
before going to Hogwarts.

If correct, this theory would help explain why Lupin couldn't get 
paid work.  After all, since he looks like (and is) an ordinary human 
when he isn't transformed, employers would have no way of determining 
that he is a werewolf and discriminating against him because of it.  
If everyone knew that werewolves have certain MoM-prescribed names, 
however, then Lupin would be repeatedly denied employment or would be 
discouraged from even seeking employment because of the implications 
of his name. In practice, Lupin complies with MoM's re-naming 
requirement only marginally, using his the initials "R.J." on his 
briefcase and whenever he can get away with it, and having his 
friends call him "Moony.".

As with any theory, this one has, um, issues.  If the purpose of re-
naming werewolves is to make it plain to everyone that they are 
werewolves, why is it that the Hogwarts students do not immediately 
figure out that Lupin is a werewolf because of his name?  Mmmm, maybe 
it is because the students don't know much about these werewolf laws, 
which were passed in 1947.  Parents of the students, who might know 
the law and understand the meaning of Lupin's name, aren't told that 
Lupin is teaching at Hogwarts.  The Hogwarts staff know Lupin is a 
werewolf -- perhaps based on their knowledge of MoM's re-naming 
requirement, but Dumbledore has told them to keep it quiet, so they 
do.

Under this theory, Lupin's backstory is even more sad than it already 
is.  Stripping someone of their birth name and giving them a 
stigmatized name instead can't do much for their self-esteem.  

So where are the huge holes in the theory?

Cindy