What is Jon Snow's true name in the books? (ASOIAF Theory)

[@lukaslambs5780]

Aegon is such a strange choice for his name in the show. Imagine Rhaegar naming his new secret son after his freshly murdered son.

[@lukaslambs5780]

Viserys being a masculine version of Visenya works for me. That would also be interesting for Daenerys to confront another Viserys

[@lokidoki525]

It would also be interesting considering she always expected to marry viserys.

[@noblesiner]

Rhaegar was killed on the trident before his son was killed during the sack of kings landing. So if he did choose the name aegon for his soon to come bastard with Lyanna he would have been giving the same name of a already living son to a soon to be child. The baby at the tower of joy without a doubt in my mind is not Jon. Also believe Lyanna was abducted and gRAPED against her will. So she wouldn't have honored rhaegar by naming the baby something he would have wanted. I believe she didn't give the baby a targ name at all!

[@mschell8022]

Idk I dont think its unlikely that Rhaegar was that strange. He was obsessed with fulfilling a prophecy, that makes you crazy.

[@jjh2456]

@@noblesiner poor thing. You are gonna be so disappointed.

[@Eli-do4hh]

There’s a line in Fire and Blood when Viserys I is dying where he’s telling his grandchildren stories: “…and told the twins the story of how their great-great-grandsire and namesake Jaehaerys had flown his dragon north to the Wall to defeat a vast host of wildlings, giants, and wargs.” This stands out to me because Jaehaerys never visited the Wall, his wife Alysanne did. The passage really evokes imagery of Jon for me personally, so my money is on his name really being Jaehaerys, because Viserys I wasn’t telling a story of his grandfather, but a vision of Jon and his destiny

[@QuinnTheGM]

I hadn’t connected those dots, I really like that idea! Fits perfectly with the fact that the show made Viserys I a dragon dreamer as well.

[@Seelenverheizer]

interesting idea

[@eziowayne]

Very nice catch! I don’t know if it’ll end up being true, but very nice idea

[@bex2179]

Damn. That really cool man. Because visions are really work 👍

[@GuysucoEstate]

​@@QuinnTheGMI think it would probably be a male derviation of Visenya, as Rhaegar named his son and daughter Rhaenys and Aegon. But i would like it to be Aemon

[@chables74]

I think it’s Viserys, personally. Seems to be the male version of Visenya, which was probably what Rhaegar was planning to name the kid. It also adds some poetry to Dani growing up assuming she’d marry Viserys.

[@mschell8022]

It also adds to the presumption that undead Jon will be more war like, violent, and way less peaceful when resurrected.

[@espalier]

I think it’s one of those two. NOT Aegon, that name is for drunks and leches.

[@greenberry6019]

I would also really like his name to be a version of Visenya's.

[@greenberry6019]

@@espalier now is that any way to speak of Aegon V the Unlikely, champion of the smallfolk?

[@espalier]

@@greenberry6019 Egg is the counter example, to prove the point. But I had forgotten about him TBH.

[@dawry9408]

Jon being Aemon is also paralleled in his actions through the course of the books. All three Aemons sacrificed what they wanted to keep their vows and remained dutiful - Jon a Night's Watch member, Aemon a Maester, the Dragonknight a Kingsguard. Moreover, in said process, they separated themselves from their brothers - Jon didn't see Robb again, Aemon didn't see Egg and the Dragonknight grew to resent his brother. That's all I could think of but you could probably find something more.

[@ivagavrilova2726]

Aemons also tend to be great king material, yet no Aemon ever sat the iron throne. Aemon, the son of Jaehaerys, and Aemon from the Night's Watch are the best examples of this. I think it connects to Jon because, while he's most likely a Targaryen, I don't believe he'll ever be king. I think there won't be any Targaryen kings by the end of ASOIAF, tho any remaining Targaryens might return to Dragonstone.

[@saatvikkalra6061]

Also also as kids, jon and Robb often declared themselves as mythical heroes from stories, and jon once declared himself aemon the dragon knight, nice bit of foreshadowing

[@danielawesome36]

If this is true, the *Jonsas* would go insane out of excitement and write hundreds of fanfics.

[@CosmicPotato]

His real name will be Jorge, because GRRM wants to be the hero of his own story

[@calebduarte5255]

his true name shall be The Great & Powerful Turtle

[@spryqx6776]

​@@calebduarte5255slow**

[@soter8253]

I think it would be funny for Jon to be called Aegon because it’s funny that Rhaegar is just trying to make a prophecy baby again and doesn’t care that he has two children named Aegon and it fits the pattern that odd numbered Aegons are good and even Aegons are bad.

[@johnpotts8308]

He wouldn't have two children named Aegon. By the time Lyanna's child was born, Rhaegar's first son was already dead, which Lyanna probably knew. Even if FAegon is really Rhaegar's son (which I doubt, but it's possible) Lyanna would have believed him dead.

[@johnpotts8308]

@@god-of-logic99 Well it's possible that Rhaegar had asked her to call their child "Chuck" (though he was likely expecting a daughter, reflecting Aegon the Conqueror & his two sisters), but he was definitely dead by that point. If anyone other than Ned named the child, it would be Lyanna. While there were other people there - Howland Reed for one - none of them were likely to over rule anything Ned said.

[@AntoineVello]

Holy shit you're right, 2 and 4 were dogshit kings.

[@soter8253]

@@AntoineVello in this thread everyone’s focusing on who named Jon rather than the meme. Smh

[@waxierzero2198]

He wanted a daughter to name visenya because the dragon need three heads.

[@g_wylde]

In favour of Aemon there's also the fact that it seems to be the 'second son' name of choice for Targaryens. Many second brothers to Aegons tend to be Aemons, so Rhaegar might have gone with that for his second son as well.

[@QuinnTheGM]

This is a great connection as well!

[@linkos2540]

I like Jaeherys as it is sorta extention of Jon, but i think he will be named Viserys, as Rhaegar named his first two children Aegon and Rhaenys, he would want to add Visenya to three-headed dragon. It turned out of course that Jon is a boy, so Visenya could be altered to Viserys.

[@QuinnTheGM]

This was an option I considered as well! I wasn’t sure if Rhaegar would take the name of his baby brother in order to fill the prophecy though.

[@triplek-dysongamingwithdan7771]

@@QuinnTheGM I'd think it would work in an ironic say, as Dany expected to marry Viserys when she was older but he treated her terribly so she really didn't like him and wondered about Rhaegar's son instead. So it'd be funny if she did have feelings for a Viserys that was actually good, although that depends on if Jon and Dany will become a thing in the books.

[@wibly6476]

Visenyon lmao

[@JNDReacts]

What I still don’t get is why he didn’t name his first born child, a daughter, Visenya, since she was the oldest of the three conquerors as well. Rhaenys was the youngest.

[@greenberry6019]

@@JNDReacts but then what would be Jon's name? Rhaenar? Rhaegon? Rhaemon? Rhaenerys?

[@thisisabcoates]

I've always liked the idea of Jon being Aemon, same as his old mentor

[@ethanknifsend9775]

The idea of Rhaegar naming both his sons Aegon is so hilarious to me

[@QuinnTheGM]

Names are hard

[@mrintrovert5068]

By the time Jon was born. Both aegon and Rhaegar had died

[@a.a677]

@@mrintrovert5068 Lyanna didnt know that

[@Madeleine_des_Esseintes]

Maybe he "just kinda forgot" that his other son was called Aegon, too.

[@DRTisKING]

Rhaegar: I'll name him... Aegon II.

[@JosueRodriguez-ls5wy]

It’s more than likely going to be Aemon. He has connections to the name through Maester Aemon and calls himself Aemon the DragonKnight when he was younger. We could be very well have a situation that Lyanna not rhaegar were able to to name him so Ned named him Jon, and Jon will take up his Valyrian heritage by choosing Aemon as his birth name.

[@varamyr_]

I was always of the camp that Jon's name is Jon and that Lyanna either never gave him a name or that Rhaeger named him after his friend JonCon. but now that you mentioned Jaehaerys GRRM sudden insistence on the inclusion of Jaehaerys II in any future asoiaf TV Shows comes to mind. so maybe that name will come to play in the future of the books and Jon is Jaehaerys the third.

[@jjh2456]

I like to think Rhaegar wanted to name him after JonCon too. Jon is an easy name to create a cover story for.

[@greenberry6019]

Oh my god, I never thought of that but it would be brilliant. All this time we thought he was named after Jon Arryn, when actually he was named after Jon Connington. I'm sure JonCon would be moved to know his crush named his kid after him

[@davidlewis5312]

that would be brilliant actually. He is named Jon, after Connington (Rhaeghar best friend not in on this, begging the question why he is left out of the loop) and Ned went with it because he could honor Arryn as well.

[@aDsnow]

Or hear me out… It was Ned who named him and there is no secret Targaryen name

[@Spongebrain97]

Other hints that Jon's real name is Aemon is as a child when he'd play with Robb pretending to be famous characters, one he'd always pick was Aemon The Dragon Knight. Also there's a history of there being King Aegons and Prince Aemons being around each other at the same time. Aegon IV with Aemon the Dragon Knight and later Aegon V and Maester Aemon. And in the current story we'd have "Aegon" and "Jon"

[@Innomenatus]

Also Aegon and Aemon Blackfyre, twins of Daemon. Aegon and Aemon were heirs to Jaeharys but died early.

[@VivanLaMNWA]

This line from his memory is the reason I think it’ll be Aemon.

[@PedroLucas-mg5je]

And in TWOW, we could get another Aegon and Aemon duo leading the Sixth Blackfyre Rebellion + Second Hour of the Wolf!

[@drakengarfinkel3133]

The dragon/color inversion between Jon and fAegon is fascinating. fAegon seems the Bright Dragon, with silver hair and purple eyes, while Jon seems the Dark Dragon, clad in the black of the Night's Watch. Looking at their sigils, however, the inverse is true. Jon's sigil is a white direwolf, while fAegon's is a black dragon. Out of the two, Jon is also by far the more heroic of the two, even though fAegon is the one with popular support due to being presented as a savior. This is the exact aesthetic dichotomy between Guts and Griffith in Berserk, so that might also inform future developments in TWOW.

[@PedroLucas-mg5je]

And it would've been poetic, fAegon is descended from a infamous line of bastards and usurpers and it can easily be as evil as Joffrey or Ramsay but it could grow into one of the few heroic figures on the story, while Jon is descended from more nobles and respected bloodlines and is supposed to be the hero, but it turns himself into a violent and bloodthirsty man moved by self-hate, PTSD and guilt after resurrection!

[@thegoat4238]

@@PedroLucas-mg5je Idk when u consider Jon’s northern part and how he views himself as a bastard

[@thegoat4238]

That would be so fucking cool

[@drakengarfinkel3133]

@@thegoat4238 We are all waiting for Berserk references in TWOW.

[@thegoat4238]

@@drakengarfinkel3133 that’s all we crave tbh

[@Varatil]

Glad to know I'm not the only one coming in with Viserys as an option. I'll add one extra detail: Dany remarks that she'd always expected to marry Viserys. If she and Jon end up in love, that line attains prophetic dual meaning. Which would of course be classic George.

[@davidlewis5312]

great finale, marriage, marriage bed, stabbing

[@Rubydog71]

I want Jon’s Targ name to be Aenar since that’s the name of the first Targ who left Valyria and kicked off their time in Westeros, leading to the Conquest a few gens later. Aenar was also technically the first Targ to risk it all in the name of prophecy (and succeeded!) which clearly affected the family so much it led to Rhaegar making Jon in the name of prophecy. I also want Aenar as his name bc I’m sick of the same five names being used for the Targs, I just want a name that isn’t a remix of Aegon/Visenya/Rhaenys for once

[@fullirishham1015]

Plus it could be Lyanna's attempt at some horrendously back humour, knowing in her heart of hearts that her son would for all intents and purposes grow up an exile.

[@ninjadolphin01]

Jahaerys could be interesting if Lyanna had any input, Queen Alysanne has a connection to the north and I'm sure is somebody Lyanna would admire

[@soko-ban]

I think you're spot-on. I'd consider the name Viserys as a #5 Spot, but I think what's more important than the name itself is its role in the story. As in, what name could have impact on Jon's story as a whole. The way I see it, there's only 3 possibilites: either his name really is Jon, so there's nothing here to worry about or he gets any Targaryen name just as a small detail but it won't be of much importance (Viserys/Jaehaerys/Aegon). The only name I think that might mean something to Jon specifically and therefore might have some significance is Aemon. Any other name I don't think Jon would even care to accept for himself. Although my wishful thinking is that yes, his given name is Aemon, but he's not a legitimate Targaryen but ends up getting legitimized as a Stark in the end, simply because I like the sound of Aemon Stark and feel it fits him really well. Great video though!

[@PedroLucas-mg5je]

Or if during his Stark or Targaryen identity crysis post-resurrection, Jon gives a "FUCK IT" and founds a new house mixing his Targaryen-Stark lineage named Winterfire (based on the mottos of the houses he belongs) with the sigil being a white wolf with red eyes and dragon wings running or flying in a grey field spitting fire from his mouth with the motto being "The Flame That Melts The Snow"!

[@JP-wn1qr]

Loved the video and I think you’re probably correct with Aemon. I can’t see it being Aegon, if Rhaegar is as smart as he seems to be, he’d know that making his perfect prophecy baby share the name with his older brother is an unnecessary risk!

[@blackeyedlily]

I have always favored the Aemon theory. Particularly because of Jon’s thoughts back to his childhood with Rob, where he would take that name during play. And because he had such a good relationship with Maester Aemon, who in turn had a relationship with his father Rhaeger, at least through correspondence.

[@ninjadolphin01]

Also I think Daemon is worth considering, there could be some parallels with him and Blackfyre, with irregular parentage but being regarded by some including their fathers as more legitimate and more the true heir than the legitimate son, and DB's sigil would also make him a dark dragon. I think it's even possible there could eventually be some parallel with Daemon the rogue Prince and Rhaenyra and Jon/Dany

[@vitoraugusto9596]

By the point he is born, Daemon, Maegor, Aemond and Aerys are cursed names for Targs.

[@ninjadolphin01]

@@vitoraugusto9596 Rhaegar is kind of a cursed dude. Dany brings up Maegor in her lineage which I always thought was odd

[@vitoraugusto9596]

@@ninjadolphin01 Maegor is some time evoked for strength. But you no one with sanity would name their child Maegor, who was a cursed and evil king. Only Aerion Brightflame was this mad.

[@ninjadolphin01]

@@vitoraugusto9596 oh yeah I'm in the camp that Danny mentioning maegor in her lineage is to give the idea that she's a little off. Gregory is kind of a weird guy he did seduce and impregnate a teenage girl, abandoning his wife and children in order to fulfill his interpretation of a prophecy

[@greenberry6019]

@@vitoraugusto9596 that's a nice bit of headcanon, but not really supported in the text as far as I recall. Besides, I think a royal family wouldn't avoid names just based on past rulers, unless they were specifically trying to avoid sending the wrong message. After all, after hundreds of years it's very distant, one can disassociate the legacy from the name. For example, despite the reputations of Richard III, Henry VIII, Mary I, Charles I or George III it didn't stop the various British royal families from continuing to give princes those names. By the same token, despite there being notable individuals with specific names it's not like the Targs keep naming their children after them over and over again. Aenar saved the family from the Doom, and Gaemon was called "the Glorious", yet you don't see many new princes named after them. Sure, kids are still named Aegon for the Conqueror, but that name also belongs to the Uncrowned, the Disfigured, the Dragonbane and the Unworthy. The Targaryens believe themselves gods to the point of legalising incest for themselves, I don't think just having the same name as the Cruel would be enough to scare them (especially since Maegor fought for that right, and even had the support of some parts of the Realm). Also, minor detail, would Rhaegar at the time of Jon's birth really hate his own father enough to consider his name cursed? I'm not disagreeing, I'm genuinely asking.

[@andrewplehn4805]

Jon being named Aemon would create some interesting connections between Jon and his uncle Benjen. As Ned and Lyanna's brother, it's very likely that Benjen knows everything that Ned knows about Jon's parentage. Benjen would have gone to the Wall only to meet the man his nephew was named for. I hope when we find Benjen (assuming he's still alive), he can tell Jon what his true name is.

[@KitOfTheWeirdWoods]

I think Viserys is likely what Rhaegar would have intended. Its also possible Lyanna didn't get to give him a name, and he is just Jon. But I do love the idea of Aemon, that would be the nicest, heart-warmingest answer!

[@vitoraugusto9596]

Well, for me, the likely list is this: 1 - Aemon (multiple reasons) 2 - Jaehaerys (GRRM has a personal care for Jaehaerys I and his defense of Jaehaerys II was suspicious) 3 - Daeron (just a common Targ name + Daeron I was another childhood hero of Jon) Enough Aegons already There is also the names that George can use to troll us: Baelor, Maekar, Aenar, Gaemon, Baelon...

[@VengeanceN7]

May I suggest Viserys and Daemon as possibilities? Viserys because Rhaegar seems to have hoped for a girl to recreate the arguably greatest Targaryen , this would be a nice twist of irony because Dany believes she was the last Targ after her creep brother, Viserys, who planned on raping her before her wedding, and then marry her after they reclaimed Westeros, Never mind Aquaman on horseback having some opinion on the matter . Daemon for the fact that there seems to always be a Daemon that comes around , and while not always meaning to, attracts all kinds of trouble giving the idea they are to be feared and watched. Catelyn mistreated Jon for being a bastard , not a perfect analogue I admit to in the case of Daemon Blackfyre as we dont really know what his childhood was like. But Jon, Daemon T , and Blackfyre are all very talented warriors who each recieved Valyrian steel swords, and they all achieve great stations in life, Jon Lord commander of Night's Watch, Daemon T conquered the Stepstones and is remembered as the terror and wonder of his age , Blackfyre was legitamised and led a massive rebellion, he also wanted his half sister Daenerys to wed. Finally all three became entangled in matters they were barely able to control much less survive. Daemon T played his part in the Dance of the Dragons and it's inception, and it's implied Blackfyre was not the true mind behind the Blackfyre Rebellions, my bet is on Bittersteel and the more violent power hungry minor lords during their time. And Jon is now preparing for war with snow demons, uniting the Free Folk and Night's Watch, navigating court intrigue and scheming similarly to Daemon T, and last before he was stabbed was about to raise an army to attack the legally recognized rulers of the North Like I said Rhaegar probably hoped for a Visenya and didn't even consider boy names, while Lyanna was adventurous and a bit audacious, I could see her naming her kid Daemon just to go against the graine

[@vitoraugusto9596]

@@VengeanceN7 there is one thing: Rhaegar was not that much strict to prophecies. He named his daughter as Rhaenys and not Visenya, who was the actual older sister. That fact alone show that while he wanted the three heads of the dragon, he was not that strict to it. Also, Viserys I is a badly remembered king because of the dance and Viserys II got the short end of the stick because he is more remembered as a Hand of the King than a King. He also don't have glorious feats. Rhaegar already had a brother named Viserys. And he was only named Viserys because his parents were out of options of names of Targaryen kings after using Aegon, Jaehaerys and Daeron. With 2 Viserys in HOTD and the Viserys from GoT, that name is kinda overused for now. Daemon is a no. Daemon Targaryen is not well rememberer as well. He was a kinslayer and a brutal warrior. Lyanna would for sure not get inspired by him. They are two opposites of the "warrior spectrum". He was a brutal warrior and she was a noble warrior. You know what name fits better for a child of a woman that is a noble warrior? Aemon, because of the Dragonknight. And with Daemon Blackfyre being a thing and Daemon being a overused Blackfyre name, the name is almost cursed to the Targaryens. Lyanna would know that the legitimacy of her child would be questioned. Choosing the name of a bastard that revolted against the throne is not wise. It is basically assuming that he is bastard. Another bastard Daemon trying to take the throne. Both names are not even near close of Aemon, Jaehaerys or Daeron in possibility. And remember, all Aemons had a brother named Aegon. And almost all of them were younger brothers of a Aegon. The only exception is Maester Aemon. And you know who also has a older brother named Aegon? Jon. Rhaegar probably tought on the name of a boy also. He never said he wanted another daughter. He wanted another child. Again, the fact he named wrong one of his children is a proof of that. Your opinion might be caused by HOTD.

[@ultratankie]

I'm biased towards Aemon because that's his name in the CK2 mod if a Targaryen loyalist ends up in control of Lyanna's baby instead of Ned. But I also like it bc it's a kind of doomed name; every historical Aemon Targaryen (Jaehaerys I's heir, the Dragonknight, and Maester Aemon) were honorable men who would have made good kings, but made a great sacrifice instead that kept them from the throne.

[@tomadams8816]

I think it’d be a great touch that after Jon’s identity and name is revealed, his pov chapter names shift from Jon to aemon or aegon, etc.

[@valtersplume3726]

Whenever a character adopted a new identity, the chapter names did indeed change accordingly. For example, Sansa's last chapter in Feast (the last time we see her) was marked with her alias, Alayne. And Arya changed identity many times, and each of her chapters had a different name.

[@PedroLucas-mg5je]

That would be SO COOL!

[@cypdead]

​@@valtersplume3726really? my books are in turkish so idk how is it in the us but when she is arry or "gelincik" acok, in my books. chapter name is still Arya

[@nevaehaho61]

I think Jon’s name being Aemon makes a nice parallel between him, Daenerys, and fAegon and Aegon IV, Queen Naerys, and Aemon The Dragonknight. The names would line up fairly well, and even though Daenerys and Naerys aren’t exactly the same, Dany is said to resemble Naerys. That would make a great parallel

[@joe-cg2hv]

Personally i like him to be named Duncan. Considering that in life he got the short end of the stick because of love, even before he was born. Also would be sweet because this Duncan chose his duty over his love.

[@QuinnTheGM]

Sleeper pick, this one! I’d be happy with him being Duncan the average height.

[@greenberry6019]

@@QuinnTheGM you've seen Duncan the Tall and Duncan the Small, now get ready for... Dunk on the Wall

[@cloakedoblivion22]

It’s Aemon, it will validate the parallels with the dead maester even more and make the scene in book 1 where they speak about choosing a conversation from one Aemon to another.

[@chelleyroberts]

They had a habit of merging characters into one. Show Gendry was a mashup of Gendry and Edric for example. I think that when it got to that point in the show D&D sort of forgot there was already an Aegon or they tried to do another mashup. I lean more towards the first, that they forgot and only remembered Rhaenys, forgetting there was also a son by Elia.

[@shr00m7]

since the reveal in GOT tv show this is what I thought- they mashed up Jon and Faegon and Faegon will kill Dany. Jon will kill the others, but be an other/night king and arya will kill other-Jon.

[@sophiawilson8696]

Euron and Victorian Greyjoys combine the two characters together.

[@NukeMarine]

Dude, you missed the most obvious GRRM thing. Jon literally says "I'm Prince Aemon the Dragonknight" in one of his chapters along with "I'm the Young Dragon" during his flashback about childhood with Rob.

[@sophiawilson8696]

Jon in the books version is a Stark and Dayne people!.

[@ChezzyKnytt]

​@@sophiawilson8696If GRRM himself came out and said Jon is Lyanna's you wouldn't believe it. Since that literally happened.

[@Revellius21]

I think itll be Aemon Targaryen. Links ties to Maester Aemon and the fact that he used to pretend to be Aemon the Dragonknight when he was younger.

[@niofalpha]

I feel like Daeron could work as well, since there’s mention of Jon’s affinity towards Daeron I, The Young Dragon

[@kylenetherwood8734]

There's a chance he doesn't learn his Targ name so if he becomes king he'll have to change his name (like Aragorn). He'd certainly pick Aemon in that case.

[@durzo8144]

I think it kinda depends on the relationship that Jon's parents actually have. If Lyanna was actually in love with Rhaegar then of course Jon has a Targaryen name but if it was a kidnapping then I doubt she would have given him one. I was never 100% sold on their love

[@lewanvh3854]

I do believe their love story, after figuring out Lyanna was the knight of the laughting tree

[@mschell8022]

Love how matter-of-fact this whole vid is, thank you

[@dr0g_Oakblood]

5:14 - I would argue that working under the idea of the 3 heads of the dragon, he would either want to call Jon Viserys (closest thing to a male version of Visenya, hence cutting his losses) or Orys (A Dark-haired half brother to Aegon, still keeps the idea of the conquest alive, and keeps around the possibility of getting a Visenya on try number 4).

[@rexblade504]

The weird thing is Visenia was the elder sister, but Rhaegar named his first child Rhaenys, the youngest child. So its very possible its not Viserys, but Aemon. Jon when he played with Robb as a kid proclaimed "I am Aemon the dragon knight!" I feel like that could he a bit of foreshadowing by Martin. Also the connection to Maester Aemon at the wall and Aemon just fitting Jon the best with a Viserys Targaryen already existing in the book and was a young boy when Rhaegar ran away with Lyanna all makes me think it'll be Aemon.

[@bruceswayn9628]

I personally agree with Aemon as there is further evidence you didn't mention. But I would like to point out 2 other possibilities you didn't mention. First, Rhaegar, basic I know but it could be as simple as named after his father. Second is Viserys, this is cause if Rhaegar was expecting a girl when he left he might have decided on Visenya to go with his other kids, when Jon came as boy Lyanna switched to the closest Targaryen name being Viserys. Having the same name as an uncle isn't that uncommon and the kings Viserys 1 and 2 where both very important people in Targaryen history, 1 being king before last Dance of dragons and naming woman as successor, 2 being one of the greatest Hands for 3 kings and only ruling for a short time. Viserys II is a real linchpin for Targaryen history having come out of the Dane of Dragons and his kids being the dragon knight and Aegon the Unworthy creating the Blackfyre conflict. Also George having a little laugh as in Dany's first chapter in series she states "she always expected to marry Viserys".

[@hydrogenatom4624]

I wonder why nobody else consider's that Lyana simply named her child after his father. Out of all names I think Rhaegar makes the most sense narratively.

[@thomasfasano8668]

I’ve always been of the mind that Jon’s real name will be Viserys to finish “the three heads” of the dragon, and it would create drama with Dany. She would recall her original thoughts of marring Viserys before Drogo, but also her final thoughts on the last Viserys she met; in that he wasn’t a true dragon. What if the mummer’s dragon becomes a thread of paranoia not knowing to trust Jon or fAegon. Also Viserys the Third sounds sick.

[@C0linTh3M0nk3y]

I’d like Jaehaerys. The conciliator, pretty much what Jon is and will have to do again.

[@eliasholenhannouch807]

Jon's name being actually Jon after JonCon is not that boring IMO.

[@Sheija]

I don't get why everyone thinks Jon name is Aegon, Aemon, Dareon or Jaehaerys, Targaryen. If he does have a true name, why would it be Valyrian? Thematically. Jon is the central character of the story. He is the prince that was promised, and his is the song of ice and fire. For writerly reasons (non-narrative), I would bet that whatever his true name is has some bearing or context for the story. Why do people think Jon's given name will be Valyrian aka 'Fire'? I've always thought his first name would be northern, or of Winter. Then - with a Targaryen surname - his full name would be Ice and Fire. Not to get into it, but I believe that the first King-beyond-the-Wall (Joramun) - who we know blew the Horn of Winter - was a Stark. We know of no other man who blew the Horn of Winter. I believe Lyanna chose this name for her son, the supposedly prophesied prince who would blow the horn again and wake the sleepers. Jon's real name is Joramun Targaryen.

[@davidalbee5039]

There’s are all such great theory’s, the last two I think are my favs, but soo good!

[@burnedbread4691]

I think his name most likely will be Aemon, though Rhaegar is the second most likely candidate in my opinion. Rhaegar himself being dead by the time of Tower of Joy, it would make sense for Lyanna to name him after his father.

[@swiftly_produced2694]

Isn't it possible Jon's name is Daeron? It was his favorite King (I mean The Young Dragon) and it kinda shows the two dualities of Jon. Daeron the first being the more impulsive, childish spirit within Jon that and Daeron II being the more leader type we see in Jon as the Lord Commander

[@mister_i9245]

I've always liked the idea of him being named Orys, since Orys Baratheon was the bastard half-brother of Aegon, Rhaenys, and Visenya

[@rsad8510]

My headcannon is Jacaerys. The pact of Ice and Fire and all.

[@joefeldkamp5171]

Aemon is a Dark Horse, we know that Rhaegar and Maester Aemon had a good relationship.

[@jackdibitetto8490]

Great video. Was a lot of fun. I love ASOIAF theory videos and I’m so glad you are making them

[@cupcakeordeath]

I love it when a video agrees with what I thought! 👏 Aemon makes all the sense!

[@essuuuu4538]

I know Jon will probably have a Targaryen name, but I think it would be sweeter if he had a name of Lyanna's choosing instead, perhaps a mix of a northern name and a Targ name, kinda like how Dany named her son Rhaego. He is half Stark after all and Lyanna to me seems like someone who would want to honor those northern roots.

[@owenbridgers]

Eddgon Targaryen

[@vonthecheeseman8347]

These videos are so good I only wish they were longer

[@QuinnTheGM]

My next one clocks in at 31 minutes!

[@0ceanque3n]

if his intentions were to name his next daughter visenya he did the order backward. visenya was the oldest of the original 3, then aegon and last rhaenys, which i do believe he was doing. and yes i agree with his name being aemon. and ive used the a lot of the same reasons you did

[@thomasjohn2841]

I think it could be viserys or aerys also. But honestly I don’t think that we’ll ever learn his first name, just that he’s a Targaryen (or maybe rhaegar and Lyanna never got married and that will complicate his claim, although it would be anticlimactic for the reveal to just be he was someone else’s bastard)

[@jt5765]

The parallels to Aemon are undeniable with Jon joining the Nights Watch so young during the reign of his uncle & rising to become lord commander. A similar path to that which Aemon followed for the Kingsgaurd often referred to by their white cloaks. Both carried/carry Valyrian blades due to their recognised prowess & both were very attached to a sister of theirs - Arya & Naerys respectively.

[@einherjar9364]

I think people also forget that it's unlikely Jon will be legitimate in the books, at least not immediately. Even if Rhaegar tried to marry Lyanna, had the ceremony etc, it's completely void. When they ran away, or he stole her or whatever happened, he was still very much married to Elia. Targaryens have had polygamy outlawed for well over 200 years by that point, an *agreement* between the Crown and Faith by arguably the most beloved and respected King in Targaryen history. Technically, a King has the power to write laws as he pleases (though undoing this one would likely cause mass upheaval) but Rhaegar was never King, and with the incredible mistrust shown by Aerys toward Rhaegar, and with the Starks at war against them, I find it incredibly unlikely Aerys would've ever done anything to help him make a legitimate half-Stark child. The only way I can maybe see it happening is him going to the Faith; annulments can be granted to married couples with kids, and only one of them needs to request it. However this can only be done by a Council of Faith or the High Septon himself. None of this would've been quiet, people would have heard, one of the Spymasters would've caught Rhaegar requesting it, and we would definitely have heard of it in the books, or at least had *some* hint. Furthermore, I just don't think it fits with Rhaegar's plans. Putting his marriage to Elia into question or dissolving it entirely would be detrimental to his already existing kids. It seems like he wasn't intending on replacing Aegon and Rhaenys with Jon, but rather he wanted Jon to be the Third Head of the Dragon. While perhaps he thought he could fix it after winning the war, having their mother cast aside and having their own place questioned would've been a recipe for resentment as they got older, and would've set Rhaegar at odds with Dorne, who should be his closest allies, and made him no closer to the North who would've still hated him after the victory. Of course Rhaegar doesn't seem to really care how people feel or what is and isn't a good political move when it comes to the prophecy or whatever his motive was, but I think even he would've realised that setting up such possible animosity between his kids and the realm after his victory was a stupid idea - and even if he hadn't, for the reasons above, I simply don't believe he could've orchestrated a situation where Jon was born legitimate without a lot of back-bending from Martin to make it make sense (which isn't really his style). Instead, I think Rhaegar intended to legitimise Jon after defeating the rebels and becoming king. Aerys wasn't long for this world even if they won, I think everyone knew that. He was off the fucking deep end. Rhaegar would've had to deal with him in some way and I think that was his intention. As King, Rhaegar could've had Jon legitimised as a true Targaryen without all the headache and political nightmare that comes with setting aside Elia. Now, any document he left or oath he swore (whatever it is) would be useless. Only monarchs can legitimise bastards, and Rhaegar never was one. But you know who was a monarch? Robb Stark. Now, I don't think Jon ends up becoming Robb's heir for multiple reasons. But I absolutely believe that Robb left a will behind naming Jon as his heir; in this, it's impossible Jon wasn't legitimised - to be King, he couldn't remain a bastard. I think the issues come about if Robb specified "Jon Stark". If he did, I'm not sure Jon can just use it to be a Targaryen. But if it's never explicitly stated, then that legitimisation theoretically applies to his father's house and when that is revealed to be Targaryen, Robb's legitimisation will apply there. If it does specify, then I believe he will receive a legitimisation from one of the claimants (Stannis, fAegon or Dany), genuinely intending on helping them, but ends up having to be at odds with them somehow.

[@igrgic1]

100% his name will be Aemon Targaryen imo. He (Jon) has good history and bonded with old Maester Aemon of Castle Black, and I like to think that his name lives on through Jon

[@paulliston8561]

It would be great if his name was Aemon, a nice touch to Maester Aemon who helped guide both him and Rhaegar

[@jamesbarron7512]

In ASIOF universe mothers seem to be the ones who have the primary right to name their children. Considering Lyanna was of the North it’s very possible he would be given a northern name. Rikon, Brandon or Cregan. On second thought there would be no need to change his name. Ned would change his name to something else only because his real a name would reveal his parentage, so yes he has a Targaryen name.

[@michelesilva9491]

Rhaegar was trying to name his kids after the conqueror and his sister. Since he had an Aegon and Rhaenys, I think he would of named Jon Visarys, after Visenya. So if Rhaegar picked his name I think it will be Visarys. I also want to point out that if we’re looking for J valaryen names there is also Jacaerys.

[@juanpablomina1346]

My guess is Visenya, because, as you said, Rhaegar was obsessed with prophecy and was naming his children in the opposite order of the Targaryen conquerors. He managed to predict the sex of his two first children, it appears, which would be quite a feat (it's also an argument for R+L=D). When the baby was born a boy, Rhaegar was already dead and Lyanna either didn't have time to name him or didn't want to, I'd say, so Ned named him after Jon Arryn.

[@OcarinaSapphr-]

For me- his name is Jaehaerys til GRRM tells me otherwise. After the hell of the wars the realm has endured, Westeros doesn't need a Conqueror- it needs a Conciliator. Jaehaerys III- the Young/ New Conciliator - it has a good ring to it...

[@abigail6873]

I think Aemon is most likely (based on symbolism and parallels from the book), but there's one name you didn't mention that makes sense with "the dragon must have 3 heads" - the female version of Visenya - Viserys.

[@lukebarroso449]

I would like his name to be Aemon. It would've been great to see Aemon Targaryen give council to Aemon Targaryen. Also 3 Aemons who were almost king, but one was the master of laws, one was a kingsguard, and one refused the throne and a maester. It would be fantastic if John was Aemon Targaryen first of his name.

[@ajmoore9758]

Jahaerys would be cool, especially connecting to our Jace in current Canon in HOTD/Fire and Blood

[@Rune_Scholar]

The male variant of Visenya makes the most sense from the perspective of Aegon's motivation, as well as thematically.

[@jansck3002]

I'm surprised you haven't considered Viserys. That would parallel the first's Aegon Visenya and he could also ended up riding Viserion, the white dragon who would match his white direwolf.

[@InterestingNerdClub]

This is a great video!! Aemon is a great pick, it seems most likely. We also came up with the name Viserys as an option, the male version of the third conquerer that was Rhaegars naming convention. If Dany and Jon learn he shares a name with her brother, that could be the start of her Mad Queen arc. She could start to see her brother in Jon.

[@samiai8905]

I'm surprised Viserys wasn't an option since it fits the Conquerers naming scheme and the historical precedent of Aegon 3 and Viserys 2

[@bargainbrandmilk9858]

something important that i've learned about storytelling is that if you have two characters existing at around the same time, it's paramount to not give them the same name

[@BanesBasement]

Honestly, I'm a fan of each one except Aegon. Jaehaerys, Aemon, or nameless/Jon is all fine by me.

[@agrayer7104]

Aemon would be poetic when you remember the conversation on the wall when he figures out who Maester Aemon really is. Also Jon and Aemon sound simmilar.

[@jopepe2867]

It makes the most sense if its Aemon. Rhaegar had an Aegon already, which is why the show pissed me off immensely. Aemon would tie in well to his relationship with Maester Aemon, and that's the usual second son name for Targaeryans.

[@SamButler22]

Rhaegar? Sons named after fathers is pretty common. Rhaegar once believed himself to be the Prince, and one of the dragons is named for him. Perhaps makes his lineage clear for a claim, since Rhaegar was clearly ahead of Danny

[@hydrogenatom4624]

I agree, not sure why this name isn't considered more often.

[@greenberry6019]

I can't pretend to know what Jon's name could be, but the idea I probably like the most and which I'm surprised to see no one talk about is a masculine version of Visenya. It would fit with the prophecy naming scheme Rhaegar was going with but prove he couldn't properly see the future as he had to fudge it a bit. And it might also also fit nicely in a poetic or historical way, as Jon is a bit of a sullen but devoted outsider, like Visenya was. My idea was something like Visenyar, which seems plausible as Targ names can have different versions, and the suffix -ar can change a woman's name to a man's. Aemon is pretty sweet though, I agree.

[@LusiaEyre]

Jon's name really depends in a few factors. 1. Rhaegar expected a Visenya and it is possible he refused to think about boy names. He could've had a general preference known to others (Lyanna or Arthur) but he died before baby was born, so he didn't name his son directly. 2. Lyanna gave Jon a Targaryen name herself, either honoring or discarding Rhaegar's preference. Viserys was a male version of Visenya. Aemon for Aemon the Dragonknight and Maester Aemon, Jacaerys for the the Velaryon prince (Rhaenyra's son) or Jaehaerys for the Old King or Rhaegar' grandfather. Those seem the most obvious choices for a young, poorly mother. I doubt she would've gone too much into more obscure names. 3. Was the name Aegon important for the prophecy they were chasing? The news of Elia's Aegon's death reached them, so if Rhaegar insisted that PtwP must be Aegon, Lyanna could've named her own son that. But otherwise I don't like this and such choice would have enraged the Dornish. 4. Jon is just Jon. Rhaegar and Lyanna were unable to name their son. So Ned named him for Jon Arryn. Ned's fever dream is scarcely reliable so the timeline of birth to death is unclear. Jane Seymour lived for two weeks after birthing Edward, child bed fever doesn't claim instaniusly. Or she might have bled out while birthing. So she could've named her child if she lived long enough and was coherent. Or not. It seems the Kingsguard had died before Ned knew about the child, so if there was a Targ name or any name involved he had to hear it from Lya. Or the wet nurse. There must have been a wet nure at least with 3 knights and a sick mother, who fed and cleaned the child? Wylla maybe.

[@louiesantos5027]

My guess has always been Jaehaerys because of Jon being a unifying leader.

[@carlrood4457]

Did Rhaegar even know Lyanna had a son? He probably left before she gave birth and wouldn't have known. He probably told her to name their daughter Visenya, but she didn't have one, so it would have been up to Lyanna to name him. Rhaegar, after his father? Aegon, to continue Rhaegar's prophecy obsession? She may have known of the deaths of his other two children. Maybe she named him AFTER Ned arrived. Viserys or some other male form of Visenya? I'm thinking of a Maegor/Maekar thing.

[@hydrogenatom4624]

Rhaegar is the name that makes the most narrative sense.

[@SvenskaKrig1709]

I am not convinced Jon will be a Targaryen in the books tbh.

[@PJ-zh5gd]

Aemon really would be the perfect name for him.

[@po0l837]

Jonaerys Targaryan

[@markhenzel4637]

I love Aemon theory. I didnt think of that before and it makes sense. But personally, I would love if it's Daeron. Many Daeron in history are good ruler and usually involve with war. Daeron I started Conquest for Dorne and Daeron II involved with Blackfyre Rebellion. If Jon wants his right on Iron Throne (unlike the show), he had to go for war and if he wins, he could be good ruler. Other than that, Viserys would be fine. I love both Viserys I and Viserys II. Both great kings. If Jon became king in Dream of Springs and who knows, maybe it's a peaceful time, would be parallel to previous Viserys. Plus Viserys kinda like male name for Visenya.

[@Al4___]

Aemon makes sense as it's a name usually given to people who are warriors and have a call for duty

[@jadejoy1085]

One I haven’t seen, which I think is possible, is Viserys. Rhaegar wanted his kids to be the 3 heads of the dragon. (Aegon, Rhaenys, Visenya). Viserys is the male Targaryen version of Visenya.

[@devourlordasmodeus]

I lome the idea that he still is named after Visenya, being Viserys, it also add to the fact that Deanerys said she always assumed she would marry Viserys, she wpuld be wrong about what Viserys but still symbolically correct

[@hark1007]

I believe that Rhaegar didn't even consider Jon could be a son. He was immensly confident in his prophetical interpretation as Jaimes recollection hints. So he probably just believed he'd get Aegons Visenya of it. So it's Viserys in my opinion or one he takes on for himself (such as Aemon for instance)

[@atro-city]

Rhaegar already had a son named Aegon. I don't remember where this comes from, but Rhaegar was expecting another daughter: Visenya to have Aegon-Rhaenys-Visenya and complete his pattern of 3 heads of the dragon. So Jon's real name is Visenya Targaryen.

[@QuinnTheGM]

Maybe Bloodraven will give him Dark Sister. Complete the Circle of Visenya. It moves us all.

[@atro-city]

@@QuinnTheGM Haha then he can melt Longclaw and Dark Sister together to form a new version of Ice. Ice is back baby!

[@QuinnTheGM]

@@atro-city Dark Sister + Ice = Black Ice. Cannon.

[@1handedtyper]

@@QuinnTheGM I'm not familiar with Valyrian names, but "Visenya" may be gender-neutral.

[@gemodorgon]

@@1handedtyper it is not. Female is Visenya, male is Viserys

[@dr0g_Oakblood]

Personally, I like Aemon the most, and if Jon were to adopt a Targ-style Regnal name upon claiming the Throne, I can see him taking Aemon as a name, both for his seeing Aemon Dragonknight as an idol as a child, but also in honor of his relationship to Maester Aemon. Jon being Aemon could also work if he plans to work with (f)Aegon rather than against him, with the parallel of Aemon always playing second fiddle to an Aegon. Of course, I don't mind Jaehaerys, as it does preserve the J nicely.

[@Marb315]

Idk if this is a theory that's ever talked about much but it could be Viserys? Obv Rhaegar's brother also has that name which is probably as much a point against it as his name being Aegon but the three things I can think of that may make it a potential candidate are: 1) If Jon had been born a woman he would have been named Visenya and it seems that Viserys is a male version of that name based on the Valyrian names we know 2) there's a strong possibility that if his heritage is revealed to him and nobles and Young Griff/ Aegon does turn out to be a Blackfyre that there would be a split between Jon and Dany's supporters largely based on gender (as portrayed in the show) paralleling Viserys I being chosen over Rhaenys 3) Much of Jon's political background up to the point we've seen has had parallels to Viserys II, with his authority largely being appointed based off of others recognizing his value as a strategist, negotiator, and leader as well as in advising a sullen king who leads because it is his duty and right to not because he wants to similar to Viserys II position as hand to Aegon III All of that being said, I think the interesting part of this discussion and theorizing is that Jon has strong parallels to a pretty significant amount of Targaryen history, while it makes it annoying to find a certain answer for questions like this it's just a really strong bit of writing and shows how well considered these books are

[@rebeccam7051]

I don't know if having a brother with the same name would stop Rhaegar, especially since Rhaenyra had a brother named Aegon when she had her Aegon.

[@rekhyt4ever]

i think hes name in books is Daeron named after young dragon it was little forshadowed in first book where jon admired him becouse he managed to conquer dorne when he was 14

[@christophercarrigg3775]

Every time I hear people theorizing about Jon's possible name, no one brings up the possibility that he could have been named rhaegar after his father

[@jorahtheexplorer3262]

It's Eldric The Stark bloodline is full of Elrics and Brans (or close relations to thise names) and they always seem to pop up at dark times.

[@welcome2thepond714]

I think Jon true name would be the masculine form of Visenya, It would fit on many levels A) from Rhaegar naming his children after the conquerors of Westeros but in reverse with Rhaenys 1st Aegon still 2nd with Visenya as last (+)this reverse order is a clue to understanding George’s theme on how history repeats itself with it not being an exact repeat B) it follows the parallels of the deaths of the conquerors for Visenya did out live all her siblings (+) it points that Visenya was a foundation of a separate line of Targaryens Though her line lead to war, and terror for all of Westeros, but her son is responsible for creating the castle that housed the Targaryen seat. C) Dark Sister, the is rumor that the Three Eyed Raven having the sword gives some poetry of a lost blade being restored to it original barer Visenya (+) this gives Dark Sister a story arch, Maegor used it to fight against his kin, Daemon used it to forge a civil war, The Three Eyed Crow hid it from all. Jon (masculine Visenya) uses Dark Sister to save Westeros (++) gives Jon a unique tale with the swords, he bares. In Winterfell he had no blade of his own. On the Wall he embraced his place Long Claw (a bastard sword that is Valyrian Steel) once his life is restored and truth of his parents and name are revealed he is given Dark Sister (the 2nd Valyrian sword of Aegons conquest, bore by the sister who was his 1st wife) Jon Snow is Visenyen Targaryen Ice Dragon of the North, the unknown knight of the long night of Westeros reborn

[@SpongeWatches]

Just want to add that the masculine form of Visenya is Viserys. Not Viseryon or Viseryen. Also Daemon used Blackfyre to stake his claim, not Dark Sister, which was given to Bloodraven.

[@welcome2thepond714]

@@SpongeWatches you think it would be cool/ poetic for our man Jon to bare Dark Sister against the White Walkers?

[@SpongeWatches]

@@welcome2thepond714 oh absolutely. When the show ended without him finding it I was mad. Long claw should be returned to house Mormont or given to House Stark while Jon takes Dark Sister.

[@welcome2thepond714]

@@SpongeWatches We fans have to admit it, George went too epic, A Song of Ice and Fire couldn’t translate well into a visual medium. There’s too much symbolism, stories within stories, characters, clues, and not mention the hidden in his books. I just wish George has the White Walkers make it pass the neck and the rest of Westeros see the true threat of the Seven Kingdoms.

[@SpongeWatches]

@@welcome2thepond714 I hope so as well, think winterfell will fall.

[@carastone3473]

I think it will be Aemon, named after Aemon the Dragonknight, just as Maester Aemon was.

[@pendragonsxskywalkers9518]

As soon as you mentioned that Rhaegar tried to recreate 'original trio' (Rhaenys/Aegon/Visenya) my first thought was that Jon's name is Viserys. (So I'm little surprised that you didn't mention that possibility 😆.) Naming both sons Aegon would be strange, BUT when Jon was born Lyanna might had already believed that Rhaegar's firstborn son was killed, so there was a 'vacant' on Aegon in dynastyl. ALSO, with Prince Aegon presumed dead, Viserys was new official heir to the throne, so Lyanna might want give that name to her son to show that Jon should be crown prince instead of his uncle. (I am aware that my last thought has no sense if Lyanna wanted Jon's existence to be secret. HOWEVER, we don't know nothing about her own dreams and ambitions in novels. While in TV series she wanted the child to be hidden, she might have different take in book. She might wanted Jon to be king and what of she asked Ned might be support to Jon in future.)

[@Magmafrost13]

I think because Rhaegar was so obsessed with prophecy and fully expected his child by Lyanna to be a girl named Visenya, he didn't give any serious consideration to the child being a boy, and thus probably didn't give Lyanna a name to give a male child (or possibly he suggested Jon, after Jon Connington whose love he couldn't requite). If Lyanna gave Jon a Targaryen name, the options she could've chosen are probably pretty limited. Lyanna was a northern 14 year old and not a particularly studious person, she probably didn't actually know all that many male Targaryen names. The names she'd definitely know would be Rhaegar (we never heard about a Targaryen named after their father so I don't think that's a serious possibility), Viserys (The only other living Targaryen at the time, so that'd be a weird choice), Aerys (obviously not), and Aegon.its not impossible that Rhaegar mentioned Aemon to her but it's not guaranteed either.

[@emilyk5168]

Rhaegar already had a son named Aegon (who died after him). He also had a Rhaenys. We see him in Dany's vision saying there must be a third, since the dragon has three heads. I think he would've assumed Jon would be "Visenya" but he's the wrong gender. Viserys is my most likely choice. But I do like the Aemon idea.

[@helenrose5383]

Why not Viserys then? If Rhaegar could name both his sons Aegon, possibly he could also name Jon Viserys after Visenya!

[@QuinnTheGM]

That was the one other option I left on the cutting room floor! It could definitely be Viserys, though that could get weird with Dany given her brother. Plus I was unsure if Rhaegar would do that given that he already had a brother named Viserys at the time. But it’s for sure a possibility!

[@rebeccam7051]

Rhaenyra did it with Aegon III!

[@kristinal-ghoul2680]

I vote for Viserys as it's the male version of Visenya. As you said Rhaegar was obsessed with proohesy and already named his first two children after the other two heads of the dragon. He would have wanted the third head named appropriately.