Tom Riddle is the birth name of the dark wizard better known as Lord Voldemort, the primary antagonist in the Harry Potter series. Born on December 31, 1926, Tom Marvolo Riddle was a highly intelligent, ambitious, and resourceful wizard who attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. During his time at Hogwarts, he was charming and charismatic, gaining the favor of teachers and assembling a group of followers who would later become the Death Eaters

. Tom Riddle's early life was marked by mystery and darkness. He grew up in an orphanage after his Muggle father abandoned his witch mother, who died shortly after childbirth. He showed signs of magical ability from a young age and was accepted into Hogwarts, where he began to explore the Dark Arts. He created Horcruxes—objects containing pieces of his soul—to achieve immortality, reflecting his deep fear of death

. While still a student, Tom Riddle devised the name "Lord Voldemort" as an anagram of his full name, "I Am Lord Voldemort," signaling his rejection of his human identity and his transformation into a dark lord. However, he did not fully abandon the name Tom Riddle until adulthood

. In the series, Tom Riddle's memory appears notably in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" through a magical diary that manipulates Ginny Weasley to reopen the Chamber of Secrets. Harry Potter ultimately destroys the diary, which also destroys Riddle's memory trapped within it

. Voldemort's main ambition is to conquer death and become the most powerful dark wizard ever. He is ruthless, cold, and lacks the ability to love or form genuine relationships, which isolates him despite his power. His greatest challenge throughout the series is Harry Potter, who, according to prophecy, has the power to defeat him

. In summary, Tom Riddle is the young, original identity of Lord Voldemort, whose transformation into the Dark Lord marks his descent into evil and quest for immortality and domination over the wizarding world