Summary

• Characters in Lost are often named after historical philosophers, such as John Locke, whose name reflects the concept of a blank slate.
• The character of Kate Austen, named after legal philosopher John Austin, ironically has a disregard for rules and is constantly on the run from the law.
• Desmond Hume's last name, Hume, is a reference to David Hume, whose ideas about free will and being slaves to emotion are reflected in Desmond's character.

Fans of Lost may have noticed a trend in characters being named after historical philosophers. The hit ABC series was known for its thrilling mysteries and character development throughout its 6 season run, but the show also commonly explored complex, philosophical themes. References to philosophy are all over Lost, via episode titles like "Tabula Rasa" and "The Greater Good," and scenes that explore dichotomies between science and faith, as well as good and evil.

To honor the influence from historical philosophers, many of the characters in Lost are named after them. Several characters are also named after various mathematical, scientific, or cultural figures. For example, Charlotte's full name is Charlotte Staples Lewis, a reference to C.S. Lewis. Daniel Faraday is named after Michael Faraday, an English scientist who contributed to the idea of electromagnetism, a physics concept used in Lost, which Daniel studies. Sawyer's name is in reference to the fictional character Tom Sawyer. For those named after philosophers, the ideas of that particular figure are often represented in some way by their Lost character.

8 John Locke - John Locke

John Locke is perhaps the most obvious character named after a philosopher, as it's even acknowledged in the series. Not to mention, real life John Locke is one of the most famous philosophers in history, being one of the primary thinkers in the Enlightenment period. The largest tie between the Lost character and philosopher is the idea of tabula rasa, which suggests that every human is born as a blank slate. John Locke embodies this idea in Lost, as his landing on the island offers him a "blank slate" from the tragic life he had lived before Oceanic Flight 815. Locke's alias, Jeremy Bentham, is also named after a thinker.

Jeremy Bentham is the alias Locke uses when he leaves the island, leading up to his death. The philosopher Jeremy Bentham has two key similarities to John Locke in Lost. He believed in the idea of utilitarianism, which suggested that decisions should be made with the happiness of the greater number of people in mind, even at the expense of the few. This is similar to John Locke's mission to bring back the Oceanic Six for the good of the island, even if it means hurting their lives. Bentham also explored ideas about sovereignty, which is reflected in John's new role of leadership with the Others.

7 Danielle Rousseau - Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Danielle Rousseau is the first character introduced in Lost who wasn't a enger on Oceanic 815. Her name is in reference to French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a recluse, living separate from society to hide from real or imaginary persecutors. Danielle Rousseau similarly has been a recluse, living in solitary on the island for 16 years, continuing to stay on her own even after the opportunity to stay with the survivors is offered to her.

6 Kate Austen - John Austin

Kate Austen is one of the main characters of Lost, with her name being a reference to legal philosopher John Austin. Austin explored the idea of laws, arguing that they're a set of rules or commands issued by a sovereign, and can be ed by threats of punishment. The reference to John Austin through Kate Austen is ironic, as she's constantly on the run from the law in flashbacks, and has little regard for rules on the island. John Austin was also close friends with Jeremy Bentham.

5 Desmond Hume - David Hume

Desmond is one of the most beloved characters in Lost, introduced in season 2 as the man living in the bunker below the hatch. Desmond's last name, Hume, is in reference to Scottish philosopher David Hume. Aside from both of them being Scottish, David Hume explored ideas of free will. This is reflected heavily on Desmond, through the psychological experiment of pushing the button in the hatch. Hume also wrote that individuals are slaves to ion and emotion, which is reflected in Desmond's decisions in his flashbacks, where he acts sporadically and often without rationale.

4 Mikhail Bakunin - Mikhail Bakunin

Mikhail is a side character introduced in Lost who serves as a secondary antagonist in season 3. Mikhail is a loyal er of the Others and a former Soviet soldier. His role on the island before engaging in conflict with the survivors was to manage the Flame DHARMA station, where he handled communication with the rest of the world. Mikhail is named after Mikhail Bakunin, a Russian revolutionary anarchist. While Mikhail is a ing character who isn't explored very thoroughly, the reference in his name is ironic, as Lost's Mikhail is known for loyalty and for following the orders of his superiors.

3 Boone Carlyle - Thomas Carlyle

Boone is one of the first characters in Lost to die, after an excursion with Locke to investigate the beechcraft plane gets him killed. Boone Carlyle is named after Thomas Carlyle, a British philosopher from the 1800s. Thomas Carlyle commonly explored ideas about the concept of the hero, and the ways in which history is shaped by great men. His writing in On Heroes, Hero-Worship, & the Heroic in History, explored the flaws as well as the importance of heroes. Boone Carlyle is a character who tries on more than one occasion to be a hero, even perishing in an attempt to perform a heroic deed.

2 Shannon Rutherford - Samuel Rutherford

Like Boone, his stepsister Shannon is also named after philosophers, with Shannon being named after Samuel Rutherford. Samuel Rutherford was a Scottish theologian in the 1600s. The ideas of Samuel Rutherford aren't reflected in Shannon, as she never expresses any faith or interest in religion before her untimely death in season 2. Apparently, this name is purely a reference.

1 Juliet Burke - Edmund Burke

Juliet Burke is introduced in season 3 of Lost as one of the Others. She quickly forms a connection with Jack and betrays her people, making the question of her allegiance a major plot point in the third season, as the conflict escalates between the Oceanic 815 survivors and the Others. Juliet is named after Irish philosopher Edmund Burke, who primarily argued for morals being the central reasoning for radical social change. Juliet commonly rebels against Ben and the Others due to her moral values. Her ex-husband, who gave her the last name Burke, is also named Edmund Burke.