Princess Leia is one of the most iconic characters in Star Wars. Because Leia is such a powerful feminist hero, she attracts much attention from fans. She redefined how women in fiction should be.
Princess Leia had three last names throughout the story. She is originally Leia Skywalker, the twin sister of Luke Skywalker and daughter of Anakin Skywalker. Her adoptive parents named her Leia Organa to hide her from Darth Sidious; she got the last name Solo when she married Han Solo.
Here's more you need to know about Princess Leia's last name.
What Is Leia's Full Name?
In Star Wars Episodes IV and V, she was known as Leia Organa. She got her last name from her adoptive father, bail Organa.
Then, in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, it was revealed that Leia is Luke Skywalker's long-lost twin sister. That means her real full name is Leia Skywalker. However, she did not use this surname.
After she married the smuggler Han Solo, she became Leia Organa Solo. It's unclear if she used Solo's last name in the canon, but her son took his father's last name.
What Is Princess Leia's Last Name in a New Hope?
Star Wars: New Hope is the very first film in the franchise. So, the world is just meeting the characters.
During this time, Princess Leia was introduced as Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan. It was not until The Return of Jedi that Luke learned Leia's real name Leia Skywalker, through the help of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda.
Why Did Leia Change Her Last Name?
Leia did not voluntarily change her last name. As Obi-Wan explained, they knew that if Anakin ever had a child, that would pose a danger to the emperor. So, they separated the twins, Leia and Luke.
Leia was given to Bail Organa, a member of Alderaan's royal family, and his wife. And so they hid Leia's real identity by naming her Leia Organa.
How Did Princess Leia Get The Last Name Organa?
As mentioned above, if Darth Sidious knew of the existence of Anakin's children, there's a high possibility that Darth Sidious would order his subordinates to hunt them down. And so they hid the twins by separating them.
Leis was given to Bail Organa from Alderaan. And that is how she became Princess Leia Organa.
Did Leia Ever Go Skywalker?
Leia never used the last name Skywalker in the Disney canon. It was never confirmed why, but it is speculated that she did that out of respect for the “father” that raised her – Bail Organa.
There's also no reason for her to call herself Leia Skywalker after learning Darth Vader's real identity. His biological father tortured her and watched as the planet she grew up on was destroyed. And unlike Luke, she never received an apology or anything that resembled that.
Also, her political career was necessary, part of her legacy. And that's why the last name Organa was essential to her. Perhaps, that's why she also did not use Han Solo's last name after marrying him.
Instead of going Leia Skywalker after the destruction of the Empire, she went by General Leia Organa.
Why Is Leia Organa Not a Skywalker?
One of the biggest questions about Leia's full name was why she was renamed while Luke remained a Skywalker.
Leia was given to the husband and wife, Bail Organa and Breha Organa. These are royalties in a prominent core world.
On top of that, Leia is vital in the Force. That's dangerous because the information may get to Darth Vader and Darth Sidious. With that combination, it is sure that she would attract attention.
And so, the couple named her Leia Organa, as most adoptive parents do with their adoptive children.
Meanwhile, Luke grew up in Tatooine – an almost desolate land. While it was where Anakin Skywalker grew up, he does not dare look for Obi-Wan on this planet, so Luke is hidden from them without changing his last name.
Did Leia Change Her Last Name to Solo?
Princess Leia Organa went by General Leia Organa after the Empire had fallen. She chose this last name even when she knew her real name was Leia Skywalker.
After she married Han Solo, she should have been Leia Solo. But no proof in canon says she took the name.
Her son is named Ben Solo, though. So she might have changed her last name to Solo. But there's a theory that only her child used the smuggler's last name. The theory claims that she kept Organa for political purposes.
On the other hand, in Star Wars Legends, she is now called Leia Organa Solo.