Voldemorts

Voldemorts is a less common pluralized form sometimes used to refer to the Dark Lord Voldemort and/or his organized followers in J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. In canon, Voldemort is a single individual—a wizard named Tom Marvolo Riddle—while “Voldemorts” may be encountered in fan discussions to denote his faction or, less precisely, the various iterations of his dark persona across time.

Origins and identity

Tom Riddle was born in 1926 to a witch mother and a non-magical father. He adopted the surname Voldemort as part of a self-created dark identity, seeking to distance himself from his Muggle heritage. His chosen name is often interpreted as a fearsome inversion of death, with the author’s naming implying a deliberate departure from humanity. A famous line associated with his birth name—an anagram translating to “I am Lord Voldemort”—encapsulates his self-fashioning as a transformed heir to power.

Power and methods

Riddle/Tom Riddle rose to power at Hogwarts and in the wider magical world, forming the Death Eaters, a violent organization loyal to his cause. He pursued immortality by creating several Horcruxes—objects containing fragments of his soul—thereby anchoring his existence even if his body were destroyed. Known Horcruxes include the diary, ring, locket, cup, and diadem, with Nagini serving as a later container. The discovery and destruction of these Horcruxes played a central role in his eventual defeat.

Role in the saga

Voldemort’s rise and return to physical form shape much of the series’ conflict. He seeks to subjugate the wizarding world and remove Harry Potter, whom he views as a persistent threat due to the protective magic surrounding him. The final confrontation ends with Voldemort’s death, achieved when his own curse rebounds during a duel with Harry, marking the end of his terror and influence.

Legacy

Voldemort remains one of fantasy literature’s most enduring antagonists, symbolizing fear, prejudice, and the corrupting lure of power. The term “Voldemorts” is not a canonical designation for multiple beings in the primary texts but appears in some discussions to reference his broader influence or followers.