Yoda’s species has always been a hot topic among Star Wars fans—including me.
Despite decades of speculation, George Lucas has kept this mystery tightly under wraps, leaving us to wonder about the origins of Yoda, Yaddle, and now Grogu.
In this article, I’ve gathered some of the most intriguing ideas from fans, and I’ve also done a bit of digging myself to see if there are any clues out there about what Yoda’s species might actually be called.
So, without further ado…
Table of Contents
1. Could Yoda’s Species Be the Original “Jedi”?
I’ve come across a fan theory that really got me thinking: what if Yoda’s species was originally called “Jedi” or “Je’daii”?
It makes a lot of sense when you consider that the Sith started as a species before becoming the ideology we know today.
The Sith were originally a red-skinned humanoid species from the planet Korriban, deeply attuned to the dark side of the Force.
Over time, dark side users from other species integrated with the Sith, and the name evolved to represent the dark side order rather than the species itself.
In Star Wars lore, the Je’daii were the earliest known practitioners of the Force, dating back thousands of years before the Jedi Order was established.
Maybe the Je’daii weren’t just an order of Force users, but an actual species—Yoda’s species.
Over time, as their teachings evolved and spread, the name “Je’daii” could have transitioned into “Jedi,” representing the order rather than the species.
2. Ozians Maybe?
Here’s a theory that I can totally see fitting with George Lucas’s creative style: what if Yoda’s species is called “Ozians”?
It would be a perfect nod to Frank Oz, the legendary puppeteer and voice behind Yoda.
And honestly, this wouldn’t be the first time Lucas used a personal connection to come up with a name in the Star Wars universe.
Remember how Obi-Wan Kenobi’s home planet got its name? During an interview, Jon Stewart jokingly asked George Lucas where Obi-Wan was from.
Without missing a beat, Lucas came up with “Stewjon,” blending Stewart’s name into Star Wars lore.
If Lucas followed the same approach here, naming Yoda’s species “Ozians” would feel like a heartfelt tribute to the man who brought the character to life.
3. Are Yoda’s Species Secretly Tied to the Whills?
Do you remember the Whills in The Clone Wars or even their mention in Rogue One? The Whills have always been an intriguing part of Star Wars lore—ancient beings tied deeply to the Force.
In George Lucas’s earliest drafts, Star Wars wasn’t just a space opera; it was called The Journal of the Whills.
These beings were imagined as cosmic historians, recording the most significant events in the galaxy.
And we know Yoda—his incredible wisdom and his 900-year lifespan—it’s easy to imagine he belongs to an ancient species, possibly as old as the Whills themselves.
The Whills are described as deeply connected to the Force, and Yoda’s own mastery of the Force aligns perfectly with that description.
4. Minch Species
Maybe we’ve forgotten about this tiny piece of Star Wars trivia, so let me remind you.
During the development of the sequel, George Lucas, inspired by the idea of Yoda being “a little Dalai Lama,” initially gave him an eastern-sounding name: “Minch Yoda.”
Later, the name was shortened to just “Yoda” for the final film, but the original name wasn’t entirely lost.
This has led me to think: what if “Minch” isn’t just a scrapped first name? What if it’s actually the name of Yoda’s species?
5. George Lucas Funny about Yoda’s Species
“Have you ever heard about From Puppets to Pixels?” If not, here’s a little funny thing from the documentary: George Lucas once joked that Yoda was “the illegitimate child of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.”
It was a playful nod to Frank Oz, who not only brought Yoda to life but also famously performed as Miss Piggy and several other beloved Muppet characters.
While it’s clearly a joke, it does make you wonder—what if Yoda’s species name included a subtle homage to Oz’s Muppet legacy?
Knowing Lucas’s tendency to weave personal connections and pop culture references into Star Wars, it wouldn’t be surprising if this was more than just a one-off comment.
And honestly, wouldn’t it be great if one of Star Wars’ most enduring mysteries had a little humor baked into it?