Star Wars Makes Its Grogu Name Problem Canon

This article contains spoilers for The Book of Boba Fett episode 7.

The Book of Boba Fett episode 7 lampshades Lucasfilm’s problem created with the name Grogu. The Mandalorian season 1 was effectively Disney+’s flagship TV series, launching alongside the entire streaming service. It was a phenomenal success, in large part because of the unexpected debut of Grogu. Series creator Jon Favreau was inspired by Donald Glover, who stressed the importance of keeping something major as a surprise. “When Beyoncé did an album, she would just put it online and everybody would react to it,” Favreau remembered. “Just putting it out there spurred a conversation that would become more viral and bring more genuine attention than any marketing.“

Lucasfilm called the character the Child, but the internet swiftly gave him another name: Baby Yoda. The name stuck until The Mandalorian season 2, which finally saw Ahsoka reveal his real name, Grogu. It became instantly controversial, with many criticizing it as sounding particularly ugly. It doesn’t help that Grogu breaks the tradition in Yoda’s species of a preoccupation with the letter Y, as seen with Yoda and Yaddle. Amusingly, The Book of Boba Fett episode 7 has now incorporated these criticisms into the canon.

The Book of Boba Fett episode 7 sees Grogu arrive on Tatooine to be reunited with Din Djarin. He arrives at the Mos Eisley spaceport, which is now maintained by his friend Peli Motto, who’s delighted at seeing him again. R2-D2 takes the opportunity to update Peli Motto on Grogu’s real name, and she reacts in shock. “Grogu? Whoa, that’s a terrible name,” she observes in a comment that seems amusingly meta. “Sorry about that, pal. No way am I calling you that.” She’s speaking for the many fans who’ve refused to move away from calling him Baby Yoda.

Of course, it’s quite possible Lucasfilm couldn’t have gotten the name right, no matter what it was. “Baby Yoda” had become too ingrained in popular culture, meaning whatever name Lucasfilm chose, they’d arguably have gotten a similar reaction. Peli Motto’s comment feels like an acknowledgment of this problem, a tacit admission the name won’t work for everybody, but of course, it’s too late to try anything else. However problematic Baby Yoda’s real name may be, it’s now canon and will remain so for as long as his story continues on Disney+ and beyond.

But the quip is also a smart way of giving a respectful nod to the audiences who’ve decided they can’t use the name Grogu and are still calling the Force-sensitive toddler “Baby Yoda.” It feels as though Peli Motto is speaking for all those people, giving them permission to carry on as they were. Whether he is called the Child, Baby Yoda, or Grogu, he is the same character – Din Djarin’s found family, and he’s returned to his father figure in The Book of Boba Fett episode 7.

About The Author

Thomas Bacon
(4893 Articles Published)

Tom Bacon is one of Screen Rant’s staff writers, as well as a Peer Mentor for new writers and a member of the Care Team, offering support and a listening ear to members of the Comics group. A lifelong fan of major franchises including Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Marvel, Tom is delighted his childhood is back – and this time it’s cool. You can find him on Twitter @TomABacon.

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A graduate of Edge Hill University, Tom remains strongly connected with his alma mater as a volunteer chaplain. He’s heavily involved with his local church, and anyone who checks him out on Twitter will swiftly learn he’s into British politics too.

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