Naming a child in the Star Wars universe carries a lot of weight, especially when you’re the daughter of a powerful Jedi, the adoptive child of a royal family, and the wife of a galactic war hero.
So, why did Leia name her son “Ben Solo”? While it sounds cool and familiar, when you break it down, the name doesn’t entirely fit.
Let’s get into why Leia might have been better off choosing a different name for her son.
Table of Contents
1. Han Solo’s Name Deserves More Respect
Let’s start with the last name: Solo. Sure, it was given to Han by a random Imperial officer in Solo: A Star Wars Story, a moment that some fans felt was a bit underwhelming.
But over time, Han turned the “Solo” name into something much greater.
Han Solo became a hero of the Rebellion, leading the mission on Endor to destroy the shield generator and rescuing Princess Leia from the Death Star.
His last name came to represent bravery, cunning, and heroism. And here’s the thing – Han chose to keep that name.
It wasn’t just a throwaway label given by the Empire; it became his identity. He wasn’t born into a family with a noble lineage, but through his actions, he gave the name “Solo” real value.
So while some may argue that the name “Solo” doesn’t hold much respect, Han’s legacy proves otherwise.
The moment Rey and Finn meet Han in The Force Awakens, their awe speaks volumes. The name means something.
2. The Name “Ben” Doesn’t Quite Add Up for Leia
Now, let’s talk about the first name, “Ben.” This name feels like a nod to Obi-Wan Kenobi, who went by “Ben” during his exile on Tatooine.
But here’s where things get tricky: Leia never really knew him as “Ben.” Throughout her interactions with him, she referred to him as “Obi-Wan Kenobi” or simply “Obi-Wan.”
The iconic message Leia sends in A New Hope begins with “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.” Not once does she call him Ben.
Yes, she meets Luke on the Death Star, and Luke says he’s with “Ben Kenobi,” to which she responds with recognition.
But for most of Leia’s life, Obi-Wan wasn’t a constant figure, and the name “Ben” wasn’t particularly personal for her.
If anything, Luke had a much stronger connection to the name “Ben,” since Obi-Wan had looked after him while he was growing up.
Naming a child after someone you barely knew doesn’t quite click.
3. The Influence of Legends and the Odd Choice for Han and Leia
Here’s where it gets a bit meta. The name “Ben” in Star Wars has deeper roots in the Expanded Universe (Legends).
In Legends, Luke Skywalker named his son Ben Skywalker, and that made sense because Luke had a deep connection with Obi-Wan, who was his mentor.
Luke had known Obi-Wan as “Ben” his entire life before A New Hope. So, giving his son the name was a fitting tribute to someone who deeply influenced his journey.
However, for Leia and Han, the choice feels off. Han only knew Obi-Wan briefly, and Leia’s interaction with Obi-Wan was even shorter.
So why did they name their son after someone who had a bigger impact on Luke than on either of them?
It’s likely that the filmmakers borrowed the name from Legends, but in this context, it doesn’t have the same emotional weight for Han and Leia.
4. A Missed Opportunity to Honor Bail Organa
If Leia wanted to honor someone truly significant in her life, why not name her son after Bail Organa, her adoptive father and the man who raised her?
Bail Organa was a hero of the Rebellion, and his influence on Leia was undeniable. He taught her everything she knew about leadership, diplomacy, and fighting for justice.
Naming her son “Bail Solo” or even “Organa” would have been a beautiful tribute to the family and the planet Alderaan, which was destroyed by the Empire.
Some argue that Leia couldn’t name her son after a dead planet’s royal family, but considering Leia’s deep emotional connection to Bail, it would have made more sense than “Ben.”
Alderaan’s legacy could have lived on through her son’s name. Plus, with Leia as one of the last representatives of the Organa family, honoring that lineage might have been a powerful symbol.
Conclusion: Why “Ben Solo” Misses the Mark
In the end, while “Ben Solo” sounds dramatic and works well on screen, it doesn’t hold the personal significance it should have for Leia or Han.
Han Solo’s name is legendary, yes, but Leia’s deep bond with Bail Organa, her adoptive father, or the legacy of Alderaan would have provided more meaning in the naming of her son.
“Ben” also feels more appropriate for Luke than Leia, considering his stronger connection to Obi-Wan.
This decision seems to stem more from the influence of Legends and some cinematic conveniences rather than deep character-driven reasoning.
If Leia wanted to name her son after a mentor or important figure, why not Bail Solo or Organa Solo?
That name would have carried more emotional weight and truly honored the people who shaped Leia’s life.
By reconsidering the name, we can see how a different choice might have given her son’s legacy a more personal touch.