The true story behind how the iconic Indiana Jones got his name is an amusing tale involving George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and an Alaskan Malamute that also inspired a well-known Star Wars character. First appearing in 1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark, the now beloved Indy was the brainchild of Lucas, with the aim of bringing to life a character who was a blend of James Bond and the lead from a Clint Eastwood Western (per Snopes).
Played with Eastwood-esque gravitas by Harrison Ford, Indiana Jones has gone on to become arguably the world's most famous archeologist with a franchise spanning five films, including the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and a television series, the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. With over 40 years of history, it's surprising that there are still things to learn about the character, but the behind-the-scenes story of how Indiana Jones got his name is not widely known.
Indiana Jones Got His Name From George Lucas' Dog, Indiana
Indiana is not actually Indy's real first name. The archeologist's full name is Henry Walton Jones Jr., with Indiana being an affectionate nickname used by most of his family and friends. In real life, Indiana was the name of George Lucas' dog, a large Alaska Malamute that Lucas owned in the 1970s, and this is thought to be the main inspiration behind the name. Lucas was particularly fond of the dog, and Indiana wasn't the only character she influenced. Her size and long fur were reportedly also the inspiration behind Chewbacca from Star Wars.
Indiana Jones Was Almost Called Indiana Smith
While Indiana Jones seems like the perfect fit for the character, it was not Lucas' initial choice. When spit balling ideas for the film along with Steven Spielberg, Lucas explained that the character's name needed to be something "unique" that was "very Americana" (per The New Yorker). Lucas' original idea was to call the character Indiana Smith, but according to transcripts of the conversation, Spielberg disliked the name. While it's not clear exactly why Spielberg hated Lucas' idea, he was eventually convinced enough to go with Indiana Jones, Lucas' second suggestion in the conversation.
Both Smith and Jones fit Lucas' vision of a name that evokes a feeling of Americana as they rank highly in the list of most common surnames in the United States throughout the 20th century and today. And, as the name of the 19th State of America, Indiana also serendipitously fits the Americana theme. The released transcripts don't detail why Jones was ultimately chosen over Smith or how Lucas was able to get Spielberg on board with Indiana, but it was undoubtedly a good choice; distinctive enough to stand out among a litany of 1980s action heroes but not so outlandish that the character couldn't be taken seriously.
How The Last Crusade Referenced The True Story Of Indiana Jones' Name
In a case of art imitating life, the origin of Indiana Jones' nickname is revealed in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and it references the real-life origin. The film sees Indiana team up with his father, Henry Walton Jones Sr., played by Sean Connery, who is the only character who doesn't call the hero by his nickname. Instead, Indy's father refers to him as "Junior" throughout the film. When Indiana confronts him about this in front of Sallah, the Sr. Jones retorts through gritted teeth, "We named the dog Indiana." It's at that moment that Sallah, and the audience, learn that Indiana took his name from the family dog.
This revelation is clearly an embarrassing one for the character, but Indy shrugs off his father's scorn and Sallah's laughter by explaining that he has "a lot of fond memories of that dog." It seems both Lucas and Indiana Jones are true dog lovers, and the reveal in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is a neat nod to Indiana's real-life origins.
Sources: Snopes, The New Yorker, Denver Art Museum
