Why is it named Donkey Kong? The Full Story Behind this Iconic Name

Hey friends! It‘s Terry here, back again with another deep dive into gaming history. Today, we‘re unraveling the mystery behind one of the most iconic names in all of gaming – Donkey Kong!

As a lifelong Nintendo fanboy and gaming historian, I‘ve always been fascinated by the story behind how Shigeru Miyamoto came up with this quirky name. Was it a mistranslation, like some claim? Or was there more meaning behind the choice? Grab some bananas and your strongest DK barrel, because we‘re about to cross some platforms and climb some ladders to get to the real origins of Donkey Kong!

Decoding the Meaning

Let‘s start by breaking down the name itself. According to Miyamoto himself, the name "Donkey Kong" was meant to convey the idea of a "stubborn ape" to American audiences. Pretty insightful, right?

Donkey – This was meant to communicate stubbornness and foolishness. As English speakers, we associate donkeys with being dumb and stubborn animals.

Kong – A clear reference to King Kong! Kong became a shorthand way to refer to giant apes in Japanese pop culture after the 1933 film.

So by fusing "donkey" and "Kong," Miyamoto created a name that painted a clear picture of a stubborn, gorilla-like beast. The alliteration just rolls off the tongue too! Sounds like it was the perfect choice, right?

Well, turns out it wasn‘t so straightforward when Miyamoto proposed it…

Lost in Translation

When Miyamoto suggested the name to Nintendo‘s newly established American office, the initial reaction was…less than positive.

Some felt "Donkey" conveyed stupidity more than stubbornness to American ears. And they thought families might be turned off by the name, associating it with calling someone an "ass."

But according to an interview with Miyamoto, he pushed back hard on changing the name. He insisted "Donkey Kong" communicated the exact tone and image he wanted for his stubborn ape nemesis.

Nintendo of America relented, and clearly Miyamoto knew what he was doing. Donkey Kong launched in 1981 and brought in a whopping $180 million in just its first year in North America!

But the translation troubles didn‘t end there…

See, in Japanese the game was called "ドンキーコング" (Donkī Kongu). Notice that extra "u" sound on Kongu there? That‘s because the Japanese language doesn‘t have distinct "l" and "r" sounds.

So to approximate the word "Kong" in English, they added an extra vowel sound to make it "Kongu." Fascinating peek into linguistics!

The Defiant Ape

While the name confused some at first, Miyamoto nailed the essence of this beast in the actual Donkey Kong character design. His movements and animations channel that raw gorilla strength that "Kong" references.

And Donkey Kong‘s actions speak to his stubbornness and defiance! He steals Mario‘s stuff and kidnaps his girlfriend? That‘s the behavior of someone stubbornly clinging to what he wrongfully took!

Donkey Kong refuses to give up throughout Mario‘s pursuit. His persistence reflects the foolish stubbornness Miyamoto intended to capture with calling him a "Donkey."

So even if the name seemed weird at first, it perfectly encapsulated what Miyamoto had envisioned – a stubborn beast with the power and resolve of a Kong.

An Enduring Brand

The immense success of Donkey Kong quickly erased any doubts about the name. It became THE title that launched Nintendo‘s brand in North America.

And the name stuck! DK and his family have appeared in dozens of games over decades:

• Donkey Kong Jr. (1982) – DK‘s son tries to rescue him from Mario
• Donkey Kong 3 (1984) – Stanley fends DK off from his greenhouse
• Donkey Kong Country (1994) – DK recast as a hero in this popular revival
• Mario Kart (1992-Present) – DK is a staple racer in the series
• Super Smash Bros. (1999-Present) – DK brings his strong-arm moves to the fighter lineup

He may have started out as a villain, but Donkey Kong has grown into one of Nintendo‘s most iconic characters. And it never would have happened without Miyamoto choosing that perfect stubborn ape name.

Clearing Up the Monkey Business

Now, a common misconception is that Donkey Kong was meant to be Monkey Kong, but got botched in translation. However, Miyamoto himself has shut this down repeatedly over the years.

In a 2004 interview with Nintendo Dream Magazine, Miyamoto clarifies:

"Donkey wasn‘t meant to convey stupidity, it was meant to convey stubbornness. Kong was meant to convey his large size."

And in a 2010 interview with the Official Nintendo Magazine, Miyamoto re-affirmed:

"Donkey Kong was still early in his career, he was supposed to be stubborn, I wanted to convey the impression of a stupid Kong."

So straight from the horse‘s mouth – Miyamoto says the "Donkey" naming was totally intentional!

While an amusing idea, the myth of a monkey translation mishap has been completely debunked over the years by Miyamoto himself. Case closed!

The Legacy of Donkey Kong‘s Name

It‘s amazing to think how much hinged on this peculiar name. While odd-sounding at first, it captured the essence of Miyamoto‘s stubborn ape concept. And the success it brought Miyamoto and Nintendo is gaming history.

Some key impacts of Donkey Kong‘s naming:

• Shigeru Miyamoto – DK‘s creation and success vaulted Miyamoto into a leadership role at Nintendo. He went on to create Mario, Zelda, and so many other cherished franchises.

• Platform Genre – Donkey Kong pioneered the platforming genre, paving the way for Super Mario Bros, Sonic, and countless more hits.

• Nintendo Icons – Along with Mario, DK remains one of Nintendo‘s top mascots. He shows Miyamoto‘s knack for creating iconic IP.

• King of Naming – Miyamoto continued displaying creative naming abilities with Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Pikmin, and more classics.

So while it seemed an odd choice at first, the name Donkey Kong had an outsized influence on gaming history. Miyamoto knew exactly what he was doing by picking a name that captured a stubborn beast‘s spirit.

And that wraps up this epic Donkey Kong naming investigation! Let me know what gaming mysteries you want tackled next. And as always, thanks for hanging out – now go beat some baddies for DK!

–Terry