Summary
These 12Star Warsnames are the most popular baby names throughoutStar Warsmovies and TV shows, according toTheBump.com. Innumerable names have been introduced throughouttheStar Warstimeline, some of them invented within the franchise, and some of them pulled from real-world names. In fact, it’s long been suspected that George Lucas named the franchise’s very first hero, Luke Skywalker, after himself.
Of course, names can also be complicated things inStar Wars, from aliases many characters have used to the practice ofStar Wars’most powerful Sithadopting brand-new names once they fall to the dark side of the Force. Notably,many of these baby names are popular outside ofStar Wars; however, several of them are directly from the movies. Here are the top 12 baby names that either appear in or originated from theStar Warsfranchise.
The 15 Best Star Wars Characters
Star Wars has a decades-long legacy, and with that comes a number of incredibly popular characters—these 15 are the very best in the whole franchise.
12Aayla
Aayla Secura Was A Brilliant Clone Wars-Era Jedi
According toTheBump.com, Aayla is currently ranked 4,334 in US baby names. While that might not seem all that popular, the name has grown exponentially in recent years. In fact, in 2005, the name was ranked 10,132. Notably, this is one of several names on this list that has a history pre-datingStar Warsconsiderably. The name has Sanskrit, Hebrew, and Turkish origins.
However,this is also the name of a brilliantStar WarsJedi from the prequel trilogy era, Aayla Secura. Although Aayla may be best known for her particularly gruesome Order 66 death inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, she was also a fierce Jedi throughout the Clone Wars. In fact,Star Wars: The Clone Warsexpanded her characterization considerably. While this baby name might not be popular from this franchise directly, it certainly does have a link to a wonderfulStar Warscharacter.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Ben is, of course, a name that is plenty popular outside theStar Warsfranchise, but it is also quite meaningful withinStar Warsmovies. In fact, the name now has significance in multiple eras. Originally, this was the alias of Obi-Wan Kenobi inA New Hopewhen he was hiding from the Empire on Tatooine. However, the sequel trilogy revealed that Leia had named her son, Ben Solo, after Obi-Wan.
According toTheBump.com, Ben is ranked 1,639 in the United States. While that seems very low for a name as popular as Ben, it is important to note thatTheBump.comseparates the full name Ben from the name Benjamin. Benjamin, less surprisingly, is ranked 18 in the US. In either case, it’s unlikely that Ben’s popularity can be attributed toStar Wars. Undoubtedly, though, at least some babies have been given this name because of its significance inStar Wars.
Rey Skywalker
Rey Skywalker’s chosen last name might be controversial, but her first name is a relatively popular baby name. Rey is ranked 1,545 in US baby names, and, like the previous name, is popular beyondStar Wars. The name is gender-neutral and has French, Spanish, and Latin origins. Generally, this name is thought to mean ‘king.’ However, that clearly doesn’t mean this name is for baby boys only, givenStar Wars’use of the name.
TheBump.comspecifically calls out thisStar Warsconnection on the page for Rey.
Interestingly,TheBump.comspecifically calls out thisStar Warsconnection on the page for Rey, which suggests that the name’s popularity is due in part to Rey Skywalker. This also makes considerable sense in light of the name’s progress on the website. In fact, the site did not begin tracking this baby name’s popularity for girls until 2016, directly aligning with theStar Warssequel trilogy.
Captain Rex
Rex, like Rey, is a baby name meaning ‘king.’ This baby name is currently ranked 1,480 in the US, although it is ranked 722 for boys specifically, according toTheBump.com. Unlike Rey, though,TheBump.comdoes not call out the name’sStar Warsconnection. Rather, it highlights the potentialJurassic Parkconnection and the name’s association with dinosaurs (the T-Rex in particular).
DespiteTheBump.comnot highlighting theStar Warslink, this is an important name in the franchise. In fact, this is the name of one of the most beloved clone troopers inStar Warsmovies and TV shows. Specifically, Captain Rex, who worked side-by-side with Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano throughoutThe Clone Wars,is a very popular character. Rex even had follow-up appearances in severalStar Warsshows, revealing how well-liked this clone trooper is.
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
Although Anakin Skywalker is undoubtedly one ofStar Wars’most powerful Jedi, it’s nevertheless a surprise that his name is one ofStar Wars’most popular baby names. Currently, the name is ranked 1,081 in the US. Unsurprisingly,TheBump.comspecifically states that this name has deepStar Warsconnections, but it does mention that this name existed in America prior to its introduction in the galaxy far, far away.
Of all the names on this list thus far, this name is undoubtedly the most unusual to see outside ofStar Wars. Delightfully, this likely means that the popularity of this name is almost entirely to do with Anakin Skywalker. While he may have had a complexStar Warsarc, to say the least, this is a wonderful way to honor one of the most important characters in the franchise—and one that, in the end, represents hope, no matter how bad things have gotten.
Cassian Andor
AlthoughAndoris a relatively new addition toStar Wars, it has gained considerable popularity, as has the show’s titular lead, Cassian Andor. It seems this popularity extends beyond the show, though, as the baby named Cassian is currently ranked 1,055 in the US according toTheBump.com. This name has Irish and Gaelic roots, and therefore existed long before Cassian Andor was introduced to theStar Warsuniverse inRogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Nevertheless, this is an incredibleStar Warscharacter to honor with a baby’s name. Cassian represents hope, bravery, and perseverance inStar Wars. In addition to that, Cassian is simply a lovely name. Notably,the name Cassian rose considerably in popularity between 2016 and 2017, suggesting that perhapsRogue Onehad an influence on this baby name after all, as the movie was released in December of 2016.
Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
Kylo is one of the most surprising inclusions on this list, as, like Anakin, it is one of the most explicitlyStar Warsnames. Nevertheless,Kylo comes in at number 786 among popular baby names in the US. Unsurprisingly, this means that the name Kylo saw a sharp increase in popularity around 2016, suggesting that the beginning of the sequel trilogy had a massive influence on this baby name.
TheBump.comalso suggests that ‘Kylo’ may be derived from the ‘ky’ in Skywalker and the ‘lo’ of Solo.
In fact, according toTheBump.com, the origin of this name is the Skywalker Saga itself. The site therefore almost exclusively refers toStar Warsin its description of the name, highlighting that this is the villainous alter ego of Han Solo and Leia Organa’s son, Ben Solo. Interestingly,TheBump.comalso suggests that ‘Kylo’ may be derived from the ‘ky’ in Skywalker and the ‘lo’ of Solo. This would be an odd choice for Kylo Ren/Ben Solo, as he seemed determined to rid himself of his father’s identity, but perhaps this was part of the name.
Leia Organa
Unsurprisingly,Leia is one of the most popularStar Wars-inspired baby names. Leia has been a fan-favoriteStar Warscharacter from the very beginning, and, although the name did exist prior to Princess Leia’s introduction inA New Hope, the name is widely associated with her.TheBump.comindicates that Leia is currently ranked 471 in US popularity, and the site connects that directly to Princess Leia’s legacy in theStar Warsfranchise.
However,TheBump.comalso highlights that the name has a very, very ancient history, as Leia was also used in the Old Testament of the Bible. Interestingly, the website states that the name Leia initially meant weary or tired. It’s clear that the name took on a brand-new meaning inStar Wars, though, as Leia was a fierce, brilliant, and beautiful character. Undoubtedly, these are the traits many parents have in mind when they pick this baby name.
Morgan Elsbeth
Morgan Elsbeth may not be one of the best-known characters inStar Wars, but she is an incredible character, and she has quite recently grown in importance. In fact, within the last year, Morgan Elsbeth appeared in live-action inAhsokaand was one of the two main characters inStar Wars: Tales of the Empirein animation. In addition to being a complex villain in her own right, Elsbeth is one ofthe Nightsisters of Dathomir, making herStar Warsstory all the more fascinating.
Of course, Morgan is popular as a baby name beyond the name’s connection to thisStar Warscharacter. Rather,TheBump.comindicates thatMorgan is currently ranked 385 in US popularityand has Welsh origins. AsTheBump.comalso highlights, the name is gender-neutral, making it even more commonly used than several other names on this list. Clearly, Morgan does have plenty of meaning outside of Morgan Elsbeth, but this is nevertheless a brilliantStar Warsbaby name.
Finn
Finn is an amazingStar Warscharacter who was sadly underused in the sequel trilogy. Initially, it seemed as though Finn would be the main Jedi in theStar Warssequels, as promotional materials showed Finn wielding the iconic blue Skywalker lightsaber. However, that ended up not being the case, and, by the end of the trilogy, Finn had been all but sidelined in the franchise. Nevertheless,Finn remains a popular baby name, both fromStar Warsand beyond it.
According toTheBump.com, Finn is currently ranked 348 in US popularity. Notably, this is separate from longer variations of the name, such as Finley, which is ranked 296. It does seem as though Finn’s popularity is separate from theStar Warsfranchise, as this baby name has had a steady climb throughout the 2000s, and no major increase happened after the sequel trilogy premiered.
