The Enigmatic Choice: Why Did Obi-Wan Use Ben Kenobi as a Disguise Name?

Often, fans of the Star Wars universe question why Obi-Wan Kenobi used the name Ben Kenobi as a disguise instead of something entirely different. This article aims to uncover the reasoning behind this choice, exploring various factors that shaped this decision.

Reasons for Using Ben Kenobi

Many argue that Obi-Wan did not need a disguise name since he lived in the desert, away from civilization. The argument goes: he didn't receive mail, wasn't obligated to pay bills, and lacked financial instruments like credit cards. Moreover, since he was off the grid and not on any census, there was no pressing need for an alias.

A Historical Context

However, the true reason lies in the hands of the creator, George Lucas. It is widely acknowledged that at the time, Lucas was not particularly skilled at naming characters. In fact, his reluctance to change names added a layer of complexity to the story.

Legends Novel Explanations

In the Kenobi novel by John Jackson Miller, Obi-Wan's choice of a disguise name appears to be quite reasonable. The novel reveals that there were several individuals named Kenobi on Tatooine, particularly in a small region called Mos Espa. This explains the first part of Obi-Wan's name change, as there were others with the same last name in his immediate vicinity.

Furthermore, Obi-Wan simply chose to use his middle name, Ben. This second name was discovered by a snoopy young girl who overheard Obi-Wan speaking to Qui-Gon Jinn late at night. Fortunately, this revelation did not cause any significant issues since Tatooine was largely irrelevant to off-world authorities and Darth Vader would never consider searching there.

Character Background

The choice to use Ben as a disguise name is also hinted at in the prequel trilogy. During their meetings, Satine, Duchess of Notrecurso, called him 'Ben.' This name stuck with Obi-Wan, and he chose it as his second name as a reference to someone he admired and whom he felt connected to.

The Challenges of Consistency

Despite the logical reasons for using Ben Kenobi, the choice also serves as a testament to the creative constraints faced by screenwriters and production teams. The original Star Wars Episode IV was all that was set in stone when it was first released. There were rough drafts, and Lucas made numerous changes to the storyline over time, making consistency a significant challenge.

The episode IV setting on Tatooine, where Luke is hiding under his real name while only changing his first name, makes little sense. However, Lucas found himself constrained by the established continuity. He had to use the names he had already set down and work around them, leading to inconsistent and sometimes illogical decisions.

While it may seem irrelevant, the choice of Ben as a disguise name for Obi-Wan underscores the complex interplay between character development, narrative consistency, and the limitations imposed by established continuity in the Star Wars universe.