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Since Naruto’s father had the last name of Namikaze, fans of the series have often wondered – Why is Naruto’s last name not Namikaze?
Naruto was the titular protagonist of the series and was unaware of his roots throughout most of the storyline. During Naruto: Shippuden, we finally discovered the identity of his parents. Naruto’s father, Minato Namikaze, was the Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, and his mother, Kushina Uzumaki, was the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.
As most of the other characters inherit their fathers’ last names, many fans have wondered—why Naruto’s last name is not Namikaze.
To put it simply, Naruto was not given his father’s last name to protect him from Minato’s enemies. Moreover, his mother, Kushina was from the powerful clan, Uzumaki. Let us further explore these reasons.
Why Naruto’s Last Name is Uzumaki
As stated above, there were two main reasons why Naruto was named Uzumaki in the series.
1) Enemies of Minato
Minato was the Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village and had also ended the Third Great Ninja War. He had achieved this by killing over 1000 shinobis single-handedly in a flash. While this made him revered by many, it also earned him quite a number of enemies.
After Naruto’s parents sacrificed themselves to seal Kurama, he became a target for his father’s enemies seeking revenge on his bloodline. To hide his Namikaze lineage, the Third Hokage, who took custody of Naruto, gave him his mother’s surname, Uzumaki.
2) The Stronger Clan
Naruto was set in an ancient Japanese period where it was common to take the stronger surname. This meant that a child born to parents from two clans would take the surname of the more prominent clan.
The root of the Namikaze Clan was not very prominent and its only known member was Minato. However, the Uzumaki Clan was an extremely feared and renowned clan that could be traced back to the Warring States Period. As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, was already old, giving Naruto the Uzumaki name could reflect his respect for tradition.
Besides these two story-based reasons, the creator likely wanted to keep Naruto’s lineage a secret. Since Naruto was the son of a popular figure in his village, giving him Minato’s last name would have killed any suspense for the ultimate reveal. Masashi Kishimoto likely did this to create a touching moment when Naruto discovered his father’s achievements later in the series.
How Not Having Minato’s Name Affected Naruto
While we know the reasons Naruto did not get the Namikaze name, there are several arguments regarding the effect it had on him.
Naruto grew up in a depressive environment with no friends or family. Knowing his father’s identity would have given Naruto more confidence and comfort. Since many elders around the village knew that Naruto was Minato’s son already, hiding it seemed unnecessary and only brought him the scorn of the common populace.
Additionally, at this point, the Uzumaki name also represented danger. The Uzumaki Clan was known for their powerful jutsus and sealing techniques, making them targets for strong enemies. While it might have been a strong name, it was not ideal. However, if Naruto had been given the Namikaze name, the villagers would have known of his father’s sacrifice, potentially leading to a happier upbringing.
At the same time, in hindsight, these challenges made Naruto the man he eventually became. Lacking love or guidance from others, Naruto became compassionate and determined. He became an empathetic individual who never turned away from those in need. Being known as the Fourth Hokage’s son could have hindered his growth and motivation as a child.
The criticisms toward Naruto not taking the Namikaze name are understandable since it prevented him from a comfortable upbringing. However, those hurdles he faced earlier in life made him the formidable shinobi he eventually became.
Does the Uzumaki Name Fit Naruto Better?
Now, it is hard to imagine Naruto without any last name apart from Uzumaki. However, you might ask, does the name fit him better?
The Uzumaki Clan was known for its unique techniques, strong life forces and chakra. As seen in both Karin and Kushina’s cases, they were tough, full of life, and also understanding.
Apart from their signature red hair, Naruto inherited a lot of things from this clan. He was born with a sealed Kurama inside him, which was symbolic, considering the Uzumaki Clan was known for sealing techniques. Additionally, Naruto had a quirky personality, in contrast to Minato’s calmer demeanor.
Naruto inherited a lot from his father as well, like his yellow hair and kindness. However, his behavior and powers undoubtedly made the Uzumaki name a better fit for him.
Minato and Kushina’s Legacy in Naruto’s Life
Naruto learned about his parents late in the series and met them a few times. However, their legacy lived on forever through him.
The Rasengan was created by his father and was one of Naruto’s strongest moves in battle. Minato’s quickness and fluidity in battle also helped in shaping every other technique Naruto learned.
Having always admired the statues of the Hokage, finding that his father was one also made Naruto extremely proud while reinvigorating his goals.
Naruto’s personality was similar to that of Kushina, who was fiery but also emphasized the importance of love and bonds. Naruto carried this considerate nature throughout the entire series. Since Kushina sealed Kurama inside Naruto, he also carried her chakra inside him.
Overall, Naruto was a perfect progeny of Minato and Kushina’s legacy. He was motivated by them to become a reliable and unwavering man. This eventually led him to become the Seventh Hokage.
Conclusion
To conclude, Naruto was a self-reliant person. He carried the spirit of his parents, but never allowed the hindrances or benefits of his ancestral history to sway him from his path or goals. He was an ideal effigy for both the clans.
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