Naruto Uzumaki, the infamous protagonist of the anime series “Naruto,” has been a beloved character of manga and anime enthusiasts worldwide. However, despite the series providing various insights into the characters, one question that remains unanswered is the reason behind Naruto’s last name. Naruto’s father, Minato Namikaze, was the Fourth Hokage of Konohagakure, and his mother, Kushina Uzumaki, was a Jinchuuriki.
Traditionally, in Japanese culture, a child inherits the family name of the father. So why did Naruto’s mother’s surname, Uzumaki, become his last name? Let’s explore different reasons behind this.
1. Naruto’s Parents’ Background
Naruto’s parentage is unique, with each of them coming from distinguished backgrounds. Minato Namikaze was known as Konoha’s Yellow Flash for his remarkable speed, making him one of the fastest ninjas ever. Meanwhile, Kushina Uzumaki, a Jinchuuriki, came from the Uzumaki clan, renowned for their expertise in Fuinjutsu and large reserves of chakra. Kushina inherited the Nine-Tailed Fox from Mito Uzumaki, meaning she was immensely powerful.
2. Naruto’s Safety
Hokage Third Hiruzen Sarutobi, who took care of Naruto after his parents’ death, named Naruto Uzumaki instead of Naruto Namikaze for safety reasons. Being Hokage Fourth, Minato had many enemies. As such, Naruto, being Minato’s son, was vulnerable to being targeted by his father’s enemies. To protect him, Hiruzen gave Naruto the name Uzumaki, thereby masking Naruto’s true identity.
3. Naruto’s Ignorance
Hiruzen’s decision to hide Naruto’s true identity also meant that Naruto himself was oblivious to his lineage. Naruto never knew his parents, and it was not until the “Pain’s Assault arc” that he realized his father was the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. While Naruto was initially angry at his father for sealing the Nine-Tailed Fox within him, he was ecstatic to finally meet his father, albeit briefly.
4. Naruto’s Social Life
Despite his obvious lineage, Naruto was always considered the outcast in the village, with many people hating him without knowing the truth. This scenario rose from the topic earlier mentioned of Naruto’s last name being Uzumaki, while his hair favoring his father’s side. Misunderstanding arose towards his portrait resulting in people distancing themselves from him.
5. Naruto’s Inherent Uzumaki Traits
From the looking point of view, even if Naruto’s parents had lived, he would likely have been named Naruto Uzumaki due to his inherent Uzumaki traits. His impulsiveness, stubbornness, and brashness made him more Uzumaki than Namikaze. Naruto also possessed immense chakra reserves, a trait that is specific to the Uzumaki clan, giving proof that he was better suited to carry his mother’s name.
In conclusion, Naruto Uzumaki’s name had a significant impact on his life and character development. While he may have initially been a victim of misidentification and social prejudice, he eventually embraced his Uzumaki heritage and became one of the strongest ninjas in the Naruto Universe.
