What is Goku‘s last name? An in-depth look at the Saiyan‘s mysterious family history

Son Goku. The name is legendary among anime fans, invoking imagery of spiky black hair, orange gi, and earth-shaking power. As the main protagonist of Akira Toriyama‘s iconic Dragon Ball series, Goku‘s name is known across the globe. But what about his last name?

Unlike many anime heroes, Goku actually has a full name: Son Goku. But for a character so popular, his background and origins remain shrouded in mystery. Join me today as we unravel the secrets of Goku‘s family history and the complex naming conventions of the Saiyan race. There are some surprises in store!

The Mystery of "Son"

Let‘s begin at the beginning. In the very first Dragon Ball chapter, Goku introduces himself to Bulma with his full name:

"Hi! I‘m Son Goku."

"Son" is Goku‘s family name. This reveals that even as a young boy, Goku had a connection to a larger family or clan, although who they were remained unexplained for decades.

The name "Son Goku" is adapted from Sun Wukong, the Monkey King protagonist of the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. But Toriyama-sensei‘s use of "Son" long remained a mystery in the context of Dragon Ball‘s world and lore.

Many assumed it was just Goku‘s family name without any larger significance. However, later revelations about Goku‘s alien Saiyan heritage would give deeper meaning to the name.

Goku the Alien

One of the biggest shocks in early Dragon Ball Z was the reveal that Goku is not human, but rather a member of the nearly extinct Saiyan race. Originally sent to destroy Earth, Goku suffered a head injury as a baby that erased his violent tendencies and gave him his signature kindness and courage.

This extraterrestrial backstory revolutionized Goku‘s character and Dragon Ball as a whole. But it raised many questions, including the truth of Goku‘s family ties.

We learn that Goku‘s birth name was Kakarot, befitting Saiyan conventions of vegetable-derived names. But where did "Son" come from? With his parents and homeworld destroyed, who were the Sons?

Another Son Revealed

The arrival of Goku‘s long lost brother Raditz in DBZ finally shed light on Goku‘s family history. Raditz identifies Goku by his Saiyan name Kakarot and informs him that they are both sons of the Saiyan warrior Bardock.

This revelation anchored Goku‘s past while raising new questions. If Goku was an orphaned infant when adopted on Earth, how did he retain knowledge of his family name as "Son"? Had Grandpa Gohan told him about his Saiyan parents?

Further complicating matters was Goku‘s son Gohan. Being half-Saiyan, should he be Gohan or Son Gohan? Akira Toriyama sidestepped the issue by typically just referring to him as Gohan.

Nonetheless, Goku was now confirmed as one of the surviving "Sons" of the tragic Saiyan race.

Saiyan Naming Conventions

To better understand Goku‘s name, we must explore Saiyan culture and its unusual naming practices. Saiyan names are rooted in puns, often involving vegetables. These vegetable puns seem to replace the concept of family names:

• Kakarot – Carrot
• Vegeta – Vegetable
• Raditz – Radish
• Broly – Broccoli
• Paragus – Asparagus

There are exceptions. Nappa, for example, has no vegetable pun, while the royal family of King Vegeta has an inherited household name. Nonetheless, these vegetable names comprise the norm.

But where does "Son" fit in? As the Saiyan prince, Vegeta sheds light on this, explaining that "Son" refers to Goku‘s status as a low-class Saiyan. High-class warriors are identified by elite vegetable names, while low-class fighters are anonymously assigned the name "Son."

So while Goku and his brother Raditz were both Sons, they had no relation to each other except being commoners. "Son" functioned like "Smith" or "Jones" do in English surnames.

The Sons Rise to Greatness

Initially considered an embarrassment, the low-born Goku and his sons would go on to reach legendary power levels and repeatedly save the Earth and universe. Goku‘s first son Gohan was named after his adoptive grandfather, but his second son Goten was finally given the family name of Son.

This demonstrated that Goku had embraced his Saiyan heritage as the father of two Sons who would protect their adoptive homeworld.

Goku‘s pride in his sons gives new meaning to his surname. While once denoting his "low-class" status, the great hero made "Son" a name tied to courage, strength, and surpassing limits.

Through determination and training, the Sons rose to stand alongside high-born elites like Vegeta as brothers-in-arms defending the universe.

The Legacy Continues

The story of Goku and his sons has become legend in our world as in theirs. Yet hints of deeper secrets continue to emerge. The Dragon Ball Super film hints that Yamoshi, the ancient Super Saiyan, might be connected to Goku‘s lineage. Could more Sons rise to power?

Goku‘s family name inspires us to look beyond simple origins toward destiny. Rather than being defined by class, a name represents the purpose we give it through our actions and legacy. That remains the deeper meaning of "Son" that Goku embodies for fans around the world.

So while the full meaning of his family name remains shrouded in mystery, one thing is clear – the Sons are here to stay! Their bond transcends bloodlines or class and represents the incredible heights attainable through dedication and inner strength.