Bizarre way Kit Harington found out what his real name actually was aged 11

After securing his gig on Game of Thrones, Kit Harington became a household name pretty much overnight.

But bizarrely, it turns out that we've been referring to him by the wrong moniker all of this time - but don't feel too bad about the mix-up, as the actor only found out himself when he was 11 years old.

Harington, who is best known for his stellar performance as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, is already quite used to people confusing him with his character from the hit HBO fantasy drama anyway.

So throwing another name into the mix is hardly going to hurt, is it?

If anything, discovering his real name at least gave him a pseudonym to hide behind if it was ever needed, as booking a table at a restaurant under the titles of Jon Snow or Kit Harington is certainly going to draw attention.

During a recent appearance on the The Hidden 20% podcast, Harington revealed that people who see him in the street really seem to believe he is actually Jon Snow.

He explained: "Of course they do! And they're really, they're totally disappointed when you're not.

"So every interaction you have, there is the disappointment that just shows in their face immediately when you start talking. You're consistently letting people down!"

(Robin L Marshall/WireImage)

Well, those people are going to get a really rude awakening when they also find out that he's technically not even Kit Harington either, aren't they?

The London-born actor revealed that it somehow seemed to slip his parents mind that they needed to inform him that his three letter moniker was in fact a nickname, rather than what is printed on his birth certificate.

Speaking to Candis Magazine, Harington explained: "I actually didn't know my name until I was 11 years old. I found out at school. You know how you have to fill out those exam form things to find out how clever you are?

"Well, there was the space for my name and I put down Kit Harington, because that's what my parents had called me from day one, and the guy came up to me and said, 'No, your name's Christopher'.

"I was like, 'I think I know,' and they all went, 'No, no, no, it's Christopher!'

(HBO)

He continued: "And that's how I found out! I love the name now – it's certainly served me well."

According to reports, the Game of Thrones legend was named after the English playwright, poet, and translator of the Elizabethan era, Christopher Marlowe, who's first name was also shortened to Kit.

Harington also previously told Glamour magazine that he thinks his mother and father 'could see that he wanted to be Kit', but ultimately when with Christopher as it was a 'bit of a tradition'.

He added: "My brother's name is Jack, but his real name is John. Kit is traditionally an offshoot of Christopher, it's just not used that often. My middle name is Catesby. t's cool, isn't it? It's also my brother's middle name.

"Jake Catesby and Kit Catesby. It's my mom's maiden name, actually."

Harington shares two children with former Game of Thrones co-star, Rose Leslie, who he got hitched to in June 2018.

Topics: Game of Thrones, Kit Harington, Celebrity, Parenting, Jon Snow

Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

@livburke_