Star Wars Name Generator

Names in the Star Wars universe are unconventional, to say the least—so it’s totally fair if you’re wondering what goes into a Star Wars name or how to make sure the Star Wars name you pick feels like it fits into the universe and lore. That’s where we can help! Let’s explore some of the most iconic Star Wars names to date; then, we’ll offer suggestions on how to pick a Star Wars name of your own.

Where do these iconic Star Wars names come from?

• Luke Skywalker - It’s been reported that “Luke” was inspired by the Greek word for light (“leukos.”) As for “Skywalker,” George Lucas wanted an epic name for his protagonist and originally used “Starkiller,” but felt it was too similar to the Death Star—so it eventually turned into “Skywalker.”
• Han Solo - This name is pretty straightforward! “Han” is an old-fashioned version of “John,” which is connected to the idea of anonymity (“John Doe”), while he got the last name “Solo” because he’s a lone wolf-type character.
• Leia Organa - Leia is a reference to Princess Dejah Thoris from John Carter of Mars, and supposedly also to Lady Galadriel in Lord of the Rings.
• Obi-Wan Kenobi - Lucas originally wanted a Japanese actor to play Obi-Wan Kenobi, hence why the character’s name has a Japanese feel. Although that actor declined and Alec Guinness took the role, the name remained.
• Chewbacca - Chewie’s name refers to the Russian word “sobaka,” which means “man’s best friend.” And since he’s Han’s best friend, that makes a lot of sense!
• Darth Vader - Because the evil Empire in Star Wars was inspired by Nazi Germany, Lucas made Darth Vader’s name out of German words—“Darth” meaning “dark” and “Vader” meaning “father.”
  
  

As you can see, Star Wars names aren’t really based on a specific language, culture, or style; lots of different sources inspire them! With that in mind, here are a few things to consider when creating or picking your own Star Wars name:

Give the name a hidden meaning. Do some research on the cultural roots and meanings of different names. You might find a name with a traditional meaning or history that you can relate to your character somehow! This can even help paint a clearer picture of your character for anyone who hears about them (or just help you get to know them better).

• For example, the name “Arata” means “fresh, new,” so you might name a naive or youthful and energetic character Arata. And don’t be afraid to pick names with more obvious meanings, like “Mercy” or “Malady.” After all, Darth Vader’s name translates to “Dark Father!”

Tailor the name to the character’s personality. If you’re naming a character, make sure the name fits them! Consider who they are and how they act. For example, a powerful character should have a powerful, strong-sounding name to match! See if you can hint at the character’s personality through their name.

• Luckily, you can at least get creative without worrying about being “true to life” since Star Wars is set in a fictional universe!

Make the name unique and memorable. If you’re writing a story, it’s a good idea to make sure your character’s name doesn’t sound too much like any other’s. Even if you’re just making a Star Wars character for fun, you don’t want to confuse it with any other character (and there are a lot of them), so try to make the name as unique-sounding as you can.

Take inspiration from other books, movies, and shows. You can also take pieces of other characters' names and use them to create your own Star Wars name! If possible, try drawing from other science fiction books and movies (since names in the same genre may translate to Star Wars a little better). You could even incorporate a favorite author or screenwriter’s name into the name of your Star Wars character!

Make sure the name fits the Star Wars universe. At the end of the day, you’re making a Star Wars name—so make sure it actually looks and sounds appropriate for the setting. For example, “Dan Smith” probably wasn’t born and raised on Tatooine, but “Sian Tillo” could’ve been!