13 Where did Matt Groening get the names for the Simpson family?
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This article is from the The Simpsons FAQ, by Ondre Lombard wakkojr@nospam.wcat.com and Andrew Gill superluser@mail.rit.edu with numerous contributions by others.
13 Where did Matt Groening get the names for the Simpson family?
Homer and Margaret ("Marge") are the names of his parents (Mrs. Simpson
is Marjorie); the names of Matt Groening's sons are Homer and Abe. His
siblings are, in birth order, Mark (unused so far), Patty, (then came
Matt), Lisa, and Maggie (named Margaret like her mother but called Maggie).
The name Bart, on the other hand, is simply an anagram for "brat", although
on several occasions MG has said he is strongly influenced by both himself
and his brother Mark.
The surname Simpson is a natural choice for the family as the name
"Simpson" literally translates to "Son of a Simpleton".
-> There has also been debate on the group about the film "Day of the Locust."
It seems a character from this film has exhibited characteristics with
uncanny similarities to Homer Simpson, and the character's name actually is
Homer Simpson. It is unknown for sure whether this film has ANY connection
with MG's choice of name, whether it is pure coincidence, or whether MG
just took advantage of that coincidence.
Incidentally, MG's mother's maiden name is Wiggum, and many of the
secondary characters are named after streets in Portland, Oregon.
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