How did Robert Muchamore come up with the name CHERUB in his books?

Answer 1

It is the name of a fictional organisation in which children are agents of MI5. (MI5=Military Intelligence 5, a real branch of the British Security Services)

The name cherub is a bible word and refers to angels, often portrayed in renaissance art as little innocent-looking chubby babies.

No-one, especially criminals, would think that a little innocent angelic child could be a secret agent for the MI5, so the name CHERUB is an apt cover-name for an undercover security/intelligence organisation whose agents are all orphaned children!

The letters of CHERUB are very likely an acronym, but no one knows for sure what it stands for. However, it was promised in the story, in the first book, that the explanation would be revealed in the final book! Unfortunately, in the CHERUB books series, the founder of CHERUB, Charles Henderson, was murdered by his wife before he could reveal the explanation. Apparently the first two letters stand for his initials.

The author, Robert Muchamore, has not, as yet, provided any answers. In interview he has said the name will be revealed in the last CHERUB book. But later he said that he may never reveal the true meaning of CHERUB, or that it may be revealed in one of the books from the new "Henderson's Boys" series.

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CHERUB stands for: Charles Henderson Espionage Research Unit of Britain

Answer 2

Robert Muchamore came up with the name CHERUB by combining "CHarles Henderson's Electronic Revelations Uncovered Base." Charles Henderson is a character in the series who plays a significant role in setting up the organization.