Introduction
If you’re a fan of Star Wars, there’s little doubt as to why you’d choose Return of the Jedi as a source for your dog-naming, as it was one of the original trilogy and although not as popular as The Empire Strikes Back, still remains firmly entrenched in its cult-classic status of all-time films. There is nearly a limitless amount of great characters and locations to choose from, each with their own unique attributes to play off of. So whether you choose to go with something obvious or a deep-cut-type name that only diehard fans will know and love, rest assured giving your dog a Return of the Jedi inspired name will be a fast track to making them as much a classic in your own home as the film is to so many fans.
Return of the Jedi Dog Names in Pop Culture
Of nearly all cult classic films, few hold the type of intense following as the Star Wars trilogy and for good reason. George Lucas, the mastermind behind it all, created a wholly immersive universe full of bizarre and interesting species, characters, planets, environments and conditions in which to let his narrative thrive and it did exactly that, first in a trilogy of films that has now been extrapolated into an epic (soon to be) nine-film span.
While some of the species and characters are almost impossible to identify in terms of their creative origins, others are a bit more obvious. For instance, the Ewoks, named after the Miwok tribe that is indigenous to the Redwood forests of Northern California, have a surprisingly familiar look to many — they were originally modeled after the Griffon Bruxellois, better known in America as the Brussels Griffon. Lucas was known to have several “packs” of them over the years, owning several at once that co-inhabited his ranch. Joe Johnson, the visual effects director of the film developed the designs for the Ewoks while make-up artist Stuart Freeborn brought the looks to fruition, all based on photos of Lucas’ Griffons.
While the Ewoks may be one of the most lovable species of the original trilogy, few stand in comparison to Wookiees, the tall, hairy humanoid creatures brought to popularity by the Chewbacca, Han Solo’s sentient sidekick. Like the Ewoks, Lucas was inspired by someone close to his own heart, his dog Indiana, a giant Alaskan Malamute he had while originally writing the script in the 1970s — having Indiana sit in the passenger seat of his car is said to be what inspired Lucas to create a “hairy co-pilot” for Solo in the first place. Like the relationship between Lucas and his dog, he wanted a similar relationship to exist between Han Solo and “Chewy”, a tight bond cemented by Chewbacca’s loyalty and heart of gold, yet he also wanted Wookiees to think on a higher plane than the average intelligence level of dogs, and operate with greater physical ability.
In the end, Lucas created two endlessly memorable species while paying homage to the great dogs of his past, ones that will be forever memorialized on-screen, and in the hearts and homes of those who hold the film closest, like many already do with their own hairy species. And, of course, it doesn’t hurt that he’s also spawned an endless supply of adorable and hilarious Halloween costumes for dogs and people all over the world.
Final fun fact: Indiana was also Lucas’ inspiration for the name of his protagonist in another series of adventure tales: Indiana Jones.
Return of the Jedi Dog Name Considerations
Given the vast array of extraordinary species, characters, ships, planets, vehicles, objects and everything else under the sun (or suns in this case), there is certainly plenty to choose from when trying to find a good name. If you’re looking for a good match, start by considering your dog’s appearance, and maybe even more importantly, personality, as these will be the perfect building blocks for finding an appropriate name.
For instance, in terms of appearance, if your dog is large-lipped, such as a Bulldog, consider the names Sullustan or Nunb, or if they’re a bit more wide-eyed, then Calamari and Ackbar work as well. If they’re short and fluffy like a Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Affenpinscher, or Brussels Griffon (the breed the Ewoks were based off of), the names Ewok, Wicket, Teebo, Logray and Chirpa would be perfect, especially if their personalities also reflect one or more of those characters individually.
Of course, personality and quirks work just as well. If they’re small and jabbery, consider the name Jawa. If they’re tall and hairy like an Afghan Hound, maybe Wookiee or Chewbacca would be more appropriate, especially if they ever gargle their growls or barks.
Regardless of which direction you choose to go, don’t forget to re-watch the film and take some mental notes about what stands out most about your dog. Chances are they’ll have at least one or two elements that stand above the rest that will get you working lightspeed pace on a path to finding the right name.
Male Return of the Jedi Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
---|---|---|
0 |
Luke
After Luke Skywalker, the protagonist of the original Star Wars trilogy
|
|
0 |
Skywalker
After Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill, who trains to be a Jedi Master
|
|
0 |
Han
After Han Solo, who becomes a key to the effectiveness of the Rebel Alliance
|
|
0 |
Solo
After Han Solo, the highly-skilled pilot of the Millennium Falcon
|
|
0 |
Lando
After Lando Calrissian, an old friend of Han Solo's; former smuggler
|
|
0 |
Chewbacca
Han Solo's faithful Wookiee partner
|
|
0 |
Anakin
After Anakin Skywalker, who (spoiler) eventually becomes Darth Vader
|
|
0 |
Emperor
After Emperor Palpatine, aka Darth Sidious
|
|
0 |
Sheev
After Sheev Palpatine, aka Emperor Palpatine, the master of Darth Vader
|
|
0 |
Palpatine
After (Emperor) Sheev Palpatine, Dark Lord of the Sith
|
|
0 |
Darth
A title given to the Dark Lords of the Sith Order
|
|
0 |
Vader
After Darth Vader, who is Luke's father and one of the leaders of the Sith
|
|
0 |
R2
After R2D2, an astromech droid who appears in all 8 Star Wars films to date and plays a friend to numerous main characters
|
|
0 |
Piett
After Admiral Piett, a high-ranking Imperial officer
|
|
0 |
Ackbar
After Admiral Ackbar, who led combat operations against the Galactic Empire
|
|
0 |
Wicket
After Wicket Warrick, the Ewok scout who discovered Leia on Endor
|
|
0 |
Sy
After Sy Snootles, aka Miss Snooty, the lead singer of the Max Rebo Band
|
|
0 |
Logray
The chief shaman of the Bright Tree Ewok tribe
|
|
0 |
Firmus
After Firmus Piett, a highly-decorated officer of Imperial troops
|
|
0 |
Sarlacc
The toothy, tentacled beast at the center of the Great Pit of Carkoon
|
|
0 |
Bossk
A reptilian Trandoshan bounty hunter
|
|
0 |
Dengar
A Corellian bounty hunter; one of the main members of the bounty hunter syndicate
|
|
0 |
Endor
Aka the Forest Moon of Endor, home to the Ewoks
|
|
0 |
Coruscant
One of the galaxy's most important planets, center to the Imperial core
|
|
0 |
Falcon
After the Millennium Falcon, Han Solo's iconic ship
|
|
0 |
Tusken
The primitive indigenous species of Tatooine
|
|
0 |
Raider
Aka Tusken Raider, the fully-cloth-wrapped Tatooine species hostile to outsiders
|
|
0 |
Gamorrean
The green, pig-like species; many seen employed as guards by Jabba the Hutt
|
|
0 |
Greedo
The Easter egg character, known by cult fans to have never fired a shot at Han Solo before his "murder" only to subtly reappear later
|
|
0 |
Bith
The species of bulbous-headed, big-eyed alien musicians
|
Female Return of the Jedi Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
---|---|---|
0 |
Princess
After Leia Organa of Alderaan
|
|
0 |
Leia
After Princess Leia, diplomat, warrior, and spy
|
|
0 |
Calrissian
After Lando Calrissian, who loses the Millennium Falcon in a bet with Han Solo
|
|
0 |
Yoda
The Grand Master of the Jedi Order
|
|
0 |
Kenobi
After Obi-Wan Kenobi, aka Ben Kenobi, a mentor to Luke Skywalker and a master of young Anakin
|
|
0 |
Fortuna
After Bib Fortuna, the tentacle-like-haired chief steward to Jabba the Hutt
|
|
0 |
Madine
After General Crix Madine, once a high-ranking Galactic Empire officer defected to the Rebel Alliance
|
|
0 |
Mon
After Mon Mothma, a prominent political figure
|
|
0 |
Mothma
After Mon Mothma, who was key in forming the Rebel Alliance
|
|
0 |
Boba
After Boba Fett, one of Star Wars' most notorious bounty hunters
|
|
0 |
Fett
After Boba Fett, a genetic clone of Jango Fett, who became known as one of the deadliest bounty hunters in the Star Wars universe
|
|
0 |
Oola
One of Jabba's Twi'lek slave dancers who is eventually eaten by the rancor
|
|
0 |
Snootles
After Sy Snootles, a spy for the Hutts who moonlights as a singer
|
|
0 |
Teebo
One of the Ewok's best hunters who helped the Rebels take out the Imperial shield generator
|
|
0 |
Chirpa
After Ewok Chief Chirpa, chief of the Counsel of Elders
|
|
0 |
Jabba
After Jabba the Hutt, aka Jabba Desilijic Tiure, a Hutt gangster and crime lord
|
|
0 |
Hutt
A slug-like species known to run an elaborate crime syndicate
|
|
0 |
Rancor
A five meter tall reptilian carnivore; Jabba's was killed by Luke Skywalker
|
|
0 |
Organa
After Princess Leia Organa, a female cult hero in the Star Wars series
|
|
0 |
Jawa
A species of hooded and robed scavengers on Tatooine
|
|
0 |
Crix
After Crix Madine, a high-ranking Imperial officer
|
|
0 |
Bespin
A gas giant planet, home to Cloud City
|
|
0 |
Tatooine
A desert planet in the Outer Rim Territories; homeworld to Anakin and Luke Skywalker
|
|
0 |
Naboo
A small pastoral world, home to reptilian Elders and Gungans
|
|
0 |
Rebel
After the Rebel Alliance, Star Wars' protagonist force and all-around "good guys"
|
|
0 |
Dagobah
A remote planet of swamps and forests, home to Yoda
|
|
0 |
Wookiee
The tall, hairy, human-like species that Chewbacca is
|
|
0 |
Calamari
After the Mon Calamari, such as Admiral Ackbar; an amphibious/fish-like humanoid species
|
|
0 |
Sullustan
A species of heavy-lipped humanoid species excellent with technology
|
|
0 |
Weequay
A tough, leathery-skinned species seen guarding Jabba the Hutt
|