Homer Simpson: The Name and Inspiration Behind the Simpsons Character

There is often a confusion surrounding the character 'Homer Simpson' in the film, Day of the Locust, and the titular character from the popular animated series, The Simpsons. This article aims to clarify the origin of the character's name and whether there is any connection between the two.

Are the Two Homers Connected?

At first glance, it might seem plausible that the character 'Homer Simpson' in the 1975 film, Day of the Locust, inspired the character 'Homer Simpson' from The Simpsons. However, a detailed look into the history of the character reveals that this is not the case. Both characters, despite sharing the exact same name, come from entirely different contexts and inspirations.

The Origin of the Name Homers

Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons, famously named the character Homer Simpson after his own father. The chance of two different people sharing the same first name is not rare, but the connection ends there. Below, we delve deeper into the origins of the Simpsons' names.

Matt Groening's Family Nomenclature

Matt Groening drew inspiration from his immediate family for the primary characters in The Simpsons. Each name carries special significance:

Homer: The first name 'Homer' is named after the creator's father. This is not a random choice, but a deeply personal one. Marge: The mother's name 'Marge' is similarly named after the creator's mother. Lisa: 'Lisa' is named after the creator's elder sister. Maggie: 'Maggie' is also named after the creator's younger sister. Bart: This name is an anagram of the word 'Brat.' It is a tribute to the creator's older brother, Mark, and an idealized view of how Dennis the Menace should behave.

Exploring further, it's worth noting that Bart's surname is Simpson, a common surname in the United States. This choice might indeed be a nod to the word 'simpletons,' but the exact origin remains a mystery. Matt Groening has never revealed the reason behind the surname's choice, leading to speculation and debate.

Behind-the-Scenes Influences

The names of additional characters can also be traced back to Matt Groening's family and personal experiences:

Patty: Although there is no sister named Patty in the show, Duff’s aunt is named Patty, which aligns with Matt Groening’s sister's name, and 'Patty' is a common female given name in the U.S. Chief Wiggum: The name 'Wiggum' is assigned to Chief [Clancy] Wiggum for a particular reason. Initially, the character did not have a last name and parents, which later changed when Matt Groening decided to introduce their names as Wiggum. The name 'Gumble' was considered for the character as well, but eventually, 'Wiggum' became the permanent choice, symbolizing the name of Wiggum's profession and characteristics, such as being 'wiggy' (as in quirky, sleazy, and pushy).

In conclusion, when it comes to the origin of the name 'Homer Simpson' in The Simpsons, the answer is straightforward. The character’s name is not inspired by the character in the film Day of the Locust, but instead, is a tribute to Matt Groening's father. The names of the other Simpson family members also reflect the creator's family, along with his personal memories and unique inspirations.