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Aliases of the Doctor

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Throughout their travels in time and space, the Doctor took on and was called by a number of different aliases, titles and names. Some were fleeting, while others, like John Smith, were used by almost all of their incarnations, with some variations. The Doctor told very few people their original name, instead asking others to simply call them the Doctor. By many accounts, the Doctor considered this title to be their real name. (TV: The Name of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 7 (BBC One, 2013). It was their chosen identity, and a promise to the universe. (TV: The Sound of Drums [+]Russell T Davies, Doctor Who series 3 (BBC One, 2007)., The Beast Below [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 5 (BBC One, 2010)., The Day of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special (BBC One, 2013).)

In other accounts, however, the Doctor's "true name" was the one which was hidden, a guarded secret the Doctor kept from almost everyone. (TV: The Girl in the Fireplace [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 2 (BBC One, 2006)., The Shakespeare Code [+]Gareth Roberts, Doctor Who series 3 (BBC One, 2007)., The Fires of Pompeii [+]James Moran, Doctor Who series 4 (BBC One, 2008)., The Time of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2013 (BBC One, 2013).) Most names the Doctor kept were a matter of convenience, and they were prone to take on whichever name would help them blend in best, or stand out more, depending on the situation. Some companions felt this was not the Doctor's strongest suit, however. (AUDIO: What Just Happened? [+]John Dorney, Stranded 3 (The Eighth Doctor Adventures: Stranded, Big Finish Productions, 2021).)

The Doctor's real name[]

This section's awfully stubby.

Information from Return of the Living Dad [+]Kate Orman, Virgin New Adventures (Virgin Books, 1996). is missing

Most accounts treated the Doctor's true name as a complete mystery. Bill Potts, his student, asserted that "nobody [knew] the Doctor's real name", although Missy claimed that she was an exception, given that she "grew up with him". (TV: World Enough and Time [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 10 (BBC One, 2017).) One account even implied that their given name was ceremoniously withdrawn and stricken by their Cousins as punishment for a disgrace the Doctor had brought upon the House of Lungbarrow, (PROSE: Lungbarrow [+]Marc Platt, adapted from Lungbarrow, Virgin New Adventures (Virgin Books, 1997).) though another account had the Fourth Doctor admit he outright removed his name from time in his youth, with all but he and the Master having forgotten his birth name. (AUDIO: Blood of the Time Lords [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.) However, the Doctor's true name did appear in secret files created by the High Court of the Time Lords, containing a transcript of the Doctor's trial, where it was spelled as "∂³Σx²". (PROSE: The Trial of Doctor Who [+]Terrance Dicks and Malcolm Hulke, The Making of Doctor Who (The Making of Doctor Who, 1972).) While wandering in the Doctor's TARDIS, Clara Oswald read a book which apparently told her the Doctor's real name, though she forgot what she learnt when the timeline was reset. (TV: Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS [+]Steve Thompson, Doctor Who series 7 (BBC One, 2013).)

Even when put on trial by the Time Lords, the Doctor were only referred to as "the Doctor", (TV: The War Games [+]Terrance Dicks and Malcolm Hulke, Doctor Who season 6 (BBC1, 1969).) although the Valeyard, a culmination of the Doctor's darker side who prosecuted the second trial, acknowledged that "the Doctor" was an alias. (TV: The Mysterious Planet [+]Robert Holmes, Doctor Who season 23 (BBC1, 1986).) When the Fifth Doctor was officially inducted as Lord President, he declared that it was "out of the question" for him to be introduced by his true name, stating that he would accept being introduced as "Lord President Doctor". (AUDIO: Time in Office [+]Eddie Robson, Main Range (Big Finish Productions, 2017).) Even those who had known them in childhood addressed them only as "the Doctor", such as the Master. (TV: Death in Heaven [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).)

According to one account, during their first incarnation, the Time Lord adopted the "Doctor" name when dealing with human colonists on the planet Iwa at the same time that his granddaughter adopted the name "Susan". (PROSE: Frayed [+]Tara Samms, Telos Doctor Who novellas (Telos Publishing, 2003).) Other accounts implied that the Doctor's title had been chosen as a Gallifreyan custom, (TV: The Sound of Drums [+]Russell T Davies, Doctor Who series 3 (BBC One, 2007).) and that he had been using it before he left Gallifrey. (TV: The Name of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 7 (BBC One, 2013)., World Enough and Time [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 10 (BBC One, 2017).)

The Doctor's real name has been said to be difficult to pronounce, at least for humans, (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion [+]Terrance Dicks, adapted from Spearhead from Space (Robert Holmes), Target novelisations (Target Books, 1974).) and certainly for adults, (TV: Twice Upon a Time [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2017 (BBC One, 2017).) possessing thirty eight syllables. (PROSE: SLEEPY [+]Kate Orman, Virgin New Adventures (Virgin Books, 1996).) The First Doctor once told an interrogator he "wouldn't be able to pronounce the first syllable of [his name]." (PROSE: Salvation [+]Steve Lyons, BBC Past Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1999).) His seventh incarnation likewise told one of his captors that he "doubt[ed] [they]'d be able to pronounce the name [he] was originally given." (PROSE: Illegal Alien [+]Mike Tucker and Robert Perry, adapted from Illegal Alien, BBC Past Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1997).) When asked about the Doctor's name, Peri Brown said that the Doctor had told her she would find it unpronounceable. (AUDIO: Slipback [+]Eric Saward, BBC Audio Dramas (BBC Radio 4, 1985).) Moments before his regeneration, however, the Twelfth Doctor stated his belief that "children [could] hear [his name]", but only when "their hearts [were] in the right place, and the stars [were] too." (TV: Twice Upon a Time [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2017 (BBC One, 2017).)

The Doctor kept their true name hidden despite numerous "mind-probe" attempts and the effect of a truth field. (TV: The Girl in the Fireplace [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 2 (BBC One, 2006)., The Time of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2013 (BBC One, 2013).) The Carrionite Lilith, unable to discover the Tenth Doctor's true name even with the "witchcraft" used by her kind, remarked that "there [was] no name," and that the Doctor was hiding it in despair. (TV: The Shakespeare Code [+]Gareth Roberts, Doctor Who series 3 (BBC One, 2007).) The psychically-gifted Evelina, who attempted to foretell the Doctor's future, remarked that his "true name" was "hidden" from her. (TV: The Fires of Pompeii [+]James Moran, Doctor Who series 4 (BBC One, 2008).)

Significance[]

By one account, names held mystic importance in Time Lord society, meaning that all Time Lords kept their true names as closely-guarded secrets. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion [+]Terrance Dicks, adapted from Spearhead from Space (Robert Holmes), Target novelisations (Target Books, 1974).)

The Eleventh Doctor told Clara Oswald that his original name was not important since he specifically chose the title of "Doctor" to take its place, saying it was "like a promise [one made]." (TV: The Name of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 7 (BBC One, 2013).) This promise was; "Never cruel or cowardly. Never give up, never give in." (TV: The Day of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special (BBC One, 2013).) Even Clara considered "the Doctor" to be his true name and the only one that mattered. (TV: The Time of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2013 (BBC One, 2013).) When Clara was forced to take on his role for him, the Twelfth Doctor told her that "goodness has nothing to do with [being a Doctor]". (TV: Flatline [+]Jamie Mathieson, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).)

The Doctor considered abandoning his name if he felt he had to do something highly immoral. (TV: The Beast Below [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 5 (BBC One, 2010)., Face the Raven [+]Sarah Dollard, Doctor Who series 9 (BBC One, 2015).) The War Doctor rejected the name to fight in the Time War, (TV: The Night of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, 50th Anniversary arc 50th Anniversary Prequel 1 (BBC Red Button, 2013).) but proudly called himself the Doctor once he was given the chance to end the conflict without killing the Time Lords. (TV: The Day of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special (BBC One, 2013).) During his final day, the Twelfth Doctor stated being "the Doctor" was being kind, even if it meant pulling a self-sacrifice to bring others a small amount of extra time to live. (TV: The Doctor Falls [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 10 (BBC One, 2017).) The Thirteenth Doctor said that a "bit of adrenaline, dash of outrage and a hint of panic" helped her to remember she was the Doctor after dealing with post-regeneration trauma. (TV: The Woman Who Fell to Earth [+]Chris Chibnall, Doctor Who series 11 (BBC One, BBCA, Space and Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2018).')

The Saxon Master implied that the Doctor's title had been chosen because it meant "the man who makes people better", although he found the choice "sanctimonious" for someone who ended millions of lives and ruined many others. (TV: The Sound of Drums [+]Russell T Davies, Doctor Who series 3 (BBC One, 2007).) River Song was aware of this contradiction in the Doctor's behaviour: she said that the Doctor was the first to have the title and that the rest of the universe later adopted it, usually to mean "healer" or "wise man". However, she added that, in some parts of the universe, such as in the Gamma Forests, it eventually came to mean "mighty warrior". (TV: A Good Man Goes to War [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 6 (BBC One, 2011).)

According to Dorium Maldovar, the Silence had a particular interest in the Doctor's name. He explained that if the Doctor lived long enough to be "on the fields of Trenzalore, at the Fall of the Eleventh, where no creature could speak falsely or fail to answer", a question that must never be answered would be asked: "Doctor Who?". The Silence wanted to stop the Doctor from revealing his true name. (TV: The Wedding of River Song [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 6 (BBC One, 2011).)

The Doctor was later forced to go to Trenzalore to rescue the Paternoster Gang from the Great Intelligence, who sought to gain access to the Doctor's tomb, which was a future version of the TARDIS, which would open only to the Doctor's real name. The Intelligence threatened to kill Clara Oswald and the Paternoster Gang if he did not speak his name and open the tomb; the situation was resolved when the data ghost of River was able to silently transmit his name to the TARDIS, thus opening the door for the Great Intelligence. (TV: The Name of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 7 (BBC One, 2013).)

The Doctor's real name became important during the Siege of Trenzalore, as it was the signal chosen by the Time Lords to come back to the universe, broadcasting the question "Doctor Who?" through a crack in reality, simultaneously broadcasting a Truth Field so that they could be sure that it was truly the Doctor responding to them. However, when the Doctor was facing death, Clara told the Time Lords through the crack that the only name of his that mattered was "the Doctor" and everything he stood for under that name, prompting them to give the Doctor a new regeneration cycle at the cost of closing the crack. (TV: The Time of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2013 (BBC One, 2013).)

After meeting his twelfth incarnation, the First Doctor was confronted by the mysterious Testimony Foundation, who claimed that the Doctor was the "Doctor of War". Although the First Doctor initially feared this interpretation of his future, after witnessing the Twelfth Doctor's efforts to save Captain Archibald Hamish Lethbridge-Stewart, he came to conclude that the "Doctor of War" was not a man who revelled in war, but a man who sought the moments of peace that existed amid open warfare, and who would always try to find another way to end war, and to find resolution, rather than resorting to bloodshed. (TV: Twice Upon a Time [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2017 (BBC One, 2017).)

Ubiquity of the title[]

The Doctor did possess at least one doctorate. (TV: The Moonbase [+]Kit Pedler, Doctor Who season 4 (BBC1, 1967)., The Armageddon Factor [+]Bob Baker and Dave Martin, Doctor Who season 16 (BBC1, 1979)., The Mysterious Planet [+]Robert Holmes, Doctor Who season 23 (BBC1, 1986).) They sometimes described themselves as a "doctor of many things" (TV: Four to Doomsday [+]Terence Dudley, Doctor Who season 19 (BBC1, 1982).) or of "everything", (TV: Spearhead from Space [+]Robert Holmes, Doctor Who season 7 (BBC1, 1970)., Utopia [+]Russell T Davies, Doctor Who series 3 (BBC One, 2007).) as well as "a scientist, an engineer, builder of things". (TV: The Aztecs [+]John Lucarotti, Doctor Who season 1 (BBC1, 1964).) However, their knowledge was limited to anything prior to the Rassilon Era. (TV: Utopia [+]Russell T Davies, Doctor Who series 3 (BBC One, 2007).) The Eleventh Doctor claimed that one of his doctorates was in cheesemaking, (TV: The God Complex [+]Toby Whithouse, Doctor Who series 6 (BBC One, 2011).) but only the "stinky, blue kind". (PROSE: Shroud of Sorrow [+]Tommy Donbavand, BBC New Series Adventures (BBC Books, 2013).)

On several occasions, the First Doctor claimed they were not a medical doctor. (TV: An Unearthly Child [+]Anthony Coburn, adapted from The Pilot Episode (Anthony Coburn), Doctor Who season 1 (BBC tv, 1963)., Marco Polo [+]John Lucarotti, Doctor Who season 1 (BBC tv, 1964).) Though by their second incarnation, he had studied medicine in the 19th century, (TV: The Moonbase [+]Kit Pedler, Doctor Who season 4 (BBC1, 1967).) although Clara recalled the Doctor telling her that he graduated in the wrong century. (TV: Death in Heaven [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).) The Eleventh Doctor described himself as a medical doctor. (TV: The God Complex [+]Toby Whithouse, Doctor Who series 6 (BBC One, 2011).) When asked by Mabli if her doctorate was in medicine, the Thirteenth Doctor described herself as having a doctorate in "medicine, science, engineering, candyfloss, Lego, philosophy, music, problems, people, [and] hope." (TV: The Tsuranga Conundrum [+]Chris Chibnall, Doctor Who series 11 (BBC One, 2018).)

Individuals with knowledge of the Doctor's name[]

Susan Foreman knew the Doctor's real name, and wrote it on the wrappings of a hypercube she sent to him after she had settled down on Earth. (PROSE: Ghost of Christmas Past [+]Scott Handcock, Twelve Doctors of Christmas (2016).)

The Sixth Doctor told his name to his dance instructor, Becky. (PROSE: Teach Yourself Ballroom Dancing [+]Robert Shearman, Short Trips: The Muses (Short Trips, 2003).)

The Eighth Doctor's companion, Sam Jones, overheard his real name being said. She found it quite alien and virtually unpronounceable. (PROSE: Vanderdeken's Children [+]Christopher Bulis, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1998).)

When the Tenth Doctor first encountered her, River Song claimed to have known him at some point in his future, (TV: Silence in the Library [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 4 (BBC One, 2008).) and, to prove her "credentials", she whispered his name in his ear, and apologised for having to do so. The Doctor was shocked at this, as "there [was] only one reason [he] would ever tell anyone [his] name, [and] only one time [he] could." (TV: Forest of the Dead [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 4 (BBC One, 2008).) River indicated to Clara Oswald that she "made" the Doctor tell her his name and that "it took a lot of effort". (TV: The Name of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 7 (BBC One, 2013).)

Near the end of his life, despite believing there was no one left in the universe who knew it, the Tenth Doctor encountered members of an unidentified pan-dimensional race that knew his real name. (AUDIO: The Last Voyage [+]Dan Abnett, New Series Adventures Audio (BBC Audio, 2010).)

While separated from the Eleventh Doctor, Clara Oswald read his name in The History of the Time War. Though that timeline was aborted, leaving her with no memory of it, (TV: Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS [+]Steve Thompson, Doctor Who series 7 (BBC One, 2013).) she later began to recall certain moments of the timeline, (TV: The Name of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 7 (BBC One, 2013).) and claimed to know the Doctor's name when bluffing to the 3W Cyberman about being the Doctor. (TV: Death in Heaven [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 8 (BBC One, 2014).)

Missy claimed to know the Doctor's real name from their time together on Gallifrey. She said it was "Doctor Who", and the Doctor had chosen it to be mysterious, but dropped the "Who" when he realised it was "too on-the-nose". The Twelfth Doctor said she was just teasing Bill Potts, but he refused to answer if it was truly his name. (TV: World Enough and Time [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 10 (BBC One, 2017).)

Collective aliases[]

"Doctor Who"[]

I Am Who

The First Doctor, when asked who he is, responds that he is Who. (COMIC: Challenge of the Piper [+]TVC comic stories (1965).)

The name "Doctor Who" was used by or applied to the Doctor on a large number of occasions, with accounts varying on whether this seemed to be the time-traveller's actual name — or at any rate a name they accepted and used for themselves — or simply a placeholder applied to them by others for lack of knowledge of his real names.

The Master addressed a postcard to the Third Doctor as "Dr Who". (COMIC: Fogbound [+]PHS stories (Polystyle, 1973).) Missy later made two bold claims to Bill Potts in quick succession, first that "Doctor Who" was in fact the Doctor's real name, and second that it was, more specifically, an alias he had chosen for himself as an attempt to "sound mysterious", but that he later dropped the "Who" because it was "a tiny bit on-the-nose". The Twelfth Doctor told Bill she was just trying to wind her up, but he later identified himself as "Doctor Who" to Jorj, noting that he liked the name. (TV: World Enough and Time [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 10 (BBC One, 2017).) He later elaborated to Missy that the name "Doctor Who" arose from the question of "who to save", calling it "the Doctor's Who". (COMIC: The Road To... [+]Jody Houser, Doctor Who: The Road to the Thirteenth Doctor (Titan Publishing Group, 2018).) The Third Doctor once stated that his real name was not "Doctor Who", but that others often called him that for lack of him divulging his actual true name. (TV: The Shrink [+]BBC One (1989).)

When the First Doctor was using the name "Doctor Caligari" and someone remarked, "Doctor who?" he replied, "Yes, quite right.". (TV: The Gunfighters [+]Donald Cotton, Doctor Who season 3 (BBC1, 1966).) Similarly, when Jimmy Forbes asked "Doctor who?", another incarnation of the Doctor replied, "Yes, if you like.", (AUDIO: Seven Keys to Doomsday [+]Terrance Dicks, adapted from Doctor Who and the Daleks in Seven Keys to Doomsday (Terrance Dicks), The Stageplays (Big Finish Productions, 2008).) and, when Citizen 327KL asked "Doctor who?", the Fourth Doctor simply said, "yes". (TV: Dr. Who For Keep Australia Beautiful [+]1979.)

The Fourth Doctor outright stated that his name was "Dr Who" when Richard the Lionheart asked for his name, and he later referred to the Doctor as simply "Who". (PROSE: Doctor Who Discovers The Conquerors [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.) The TARDIS-Keeper on Gallifrey also knew the Doctor as "Who". (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Doomsday Weapon [+]Malcolm Hulke, adapted from Colony in Space (Malcolm Hulke), Target novelisations (Target Books, 1974).)

The computer WOTAN repeatedly referred to the First Doctor as "Doctor Who". (TV: The War Machines [+]Ian Stuart Black, Doctor Who season 3 (BBC1, 1966).) Both Ian Chesterton and Vicki Pallister occasionally called the Doctor "Doctor Who", (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Zarbi [+]Bill Strutton, adapted from The Web Planet (Bill Strutton), Target novelisations (Frederick Muller, 1965).) as did Argon, (PROSE: Terror on Tiro [+]The Dr Who Annual 1967 (Doctor Who annual, 1966).) Mitzog, (PROSE: The Cloud Exiles [+]The Dr Who Annual 1967 (Doctor Who annual, 1966).) and Phlege. (COMIC: Mission for Duh [+]The Dr Who Annual 1967 (Doctor Who annual, 1966).) The Doctor's grandson John used the last name "Who". (PROSE: Beware the Trods! [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)

The First Doctor used the username "Dr_who" when bidding on the TARDIS, which he lost to Buchanan in a bet, on RetroAuction.com in 2006. (PROSE: The Mother Road [+]Gareth Wigmore, Short Trips: Farewells (Short Trips, 2006).)

The Second Doctor briefly used the name "Doktor von Wer" during his visit to Scotland on 16 April 1746, (TV: The Highlanders [+]Elwyn Jones and Gerry Davis, Doctor Who season 4 (BBC1, 1966-1967).) and he signed a message to Professor Zaroff as "Dr W." (TV: The Underwater Menace [+]Geoffrey Orme, Doctor Who season 4 (BBC1, 1967).) The Zaons called him "Doctor Who". (PROSE: Daleks Invade Zaos [+]1967.)

Bessie's license plate during the Third Doctor's time at UNIT read WHO 1, (TV: Doctor Who and the Silurians [+]Malcolm Hulke, Doctor Who season 7 (BBC1, 1970).) WHO 7 when the Brigadier presented her to the Seventh Doctor, (TV: Battlefield [+]Ben Aaronovitch, Doctor Who season 26 (BBC1, 1989).) and WHO 8 in his eighth incarnation. (PROSE: The Dying Days [+]Lance Parkin, Virgin New Adventures (Virgin Books, 1997).) The aged Keeper of the Files referred to the Doctor with the name "Who". (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Doomsday Weapon [+]Malcolm Hulke, adapted from Colony in Space (Malcolm Hulke), Target novelisations (Target Books, 1974).)

The Fourth Doctor wrote a series of children's books during his time with UNIT which were mistakenly published under the name "Doctor Who": they were intended to be "The Doctor, Who Discovers Historical Mysteries", but the publishers, due to a miscommunication, presented it as "Doctor Who Discovers Historical Mysteries". (AUDIO: The Kingmaker [+]Nev Fountain, Main Range (Big Finish Productions, 2006).) A version of the Thirteenth Doctor in David Karpagnon's imagination, based off a fictional depiction of the Doctor from a television series, claimed that she was "not allowed" to refer to herself as "Doctor Who", despite personally finding it "brilliant". (PROSE: The Terror of the Umpty Ums [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)

K9 occasionally made playful remarks related to the "Who" name. (TV: A Girl's Best Friend [+]Terence Dudley, BBC1 (1981)., 'Invasion of the Bane [+]Gareth Roberts and Russell T Davies, The Sarah Jane Adventures New Year Special 2007 (BBC One, 2007).) Clive Finch's website called him "Doctor Who". (TV: Rose [+]Russell T Davies, Doctor Who series 1 (BBC One, 2005).) Upon reading the Tenth Doctor's mind, Reinette remarked that "Doctor Who" was "more than just a secret". (TV: The Girl in the Fireplace [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 2 (BBC One, 2006).) The oldest question in the universe was "Doctor Who?" (TV: The Wedding of River Song [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 6 (BBC One, 2011).)

The version of the Doctor in the Land of Fiction was known as Dr. Who. (PROSE: Prelude Conundrum [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.) On television in the 1960s, fans referred to him as Dr. Who. (COMIC: TV Terrors [+]TV Terrors comic stories (Polystyle Publications, Ltd., 1965).)

Theta Sigma[]

The Doctor's old Academy schoolmate Drax knew the Doctor as "Theta Sigma", which he informally shortened to "Thete". The Fourth Doctor repeatedly corrected Drax II, wanting to be called "Doctor" instead. (TV: The Armageddon Factor [+]Bob Baker and Dave Martin, Doctor Who season 16 (BBC1, 1979).)

Some accounts treated "Theta Sigma" as the Doctor's official name, at least as far as Gallifrey was concerned, with some Gallifreyan records noted that K9 Mark I had formerly been a companion to "the Time Lord Theta Sigma". (PROSE: K9 and the Beasts of Vega [+]Dave Martin, The Adventures of K9 (Sparrow Books, 1980).) In an alternate timeline in which Rassilon failed to finish the Eye of Harmony before his death, the Doctor never left Gallifrey and became a commentator rather than a renegade Time Lord, becoming known as Commentator Theta Sigma. (AUDIO: Forever [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.) "ΘΣ" was also part of River Song's message to the Eleventh Doctor on the universe's oldest cliff-face. (TV: The Pandorica Opens [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 5 (BBC One, 2010).)

However, the Seventh Doctor would later claim that "Theta Sigma" was his "nickname at college" to the coincidentally-named Trevor Sigma. (TV: The Happiness Patrol [+]Graeme Curry, Doctor Who season 25 (BBC1, 1988).) The Ninth Doctor would later reiterate the nickname in a duel with the Grimminy-Grew to guess the other's true name, saying that "old school nicknames [ddin't] count". (AUDIO: Station to Station [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)

In one account, the Doctor considered it a "Time Lord coding", which he couldn't "bear [to be] addressed as". (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Armageddon Factor [+]Terrance Dicks, adapted from The Armageddon Factor (Bob Baker and Dave Martin), Target novelisations (Target Books, 1980).) It identified him uniquely amongst the Time Lords and was not to be spoken outside of the Academy. (PROSE: Falls the Shadow [+]Daniel O'Mahony, Virgin New Adventures (Virgin Books, 1994).) According to the author of The Time Lord Letters, a historical document compiling writings by and concerning the Doctor, "Theta Sigma" was also their Academy Student Identification Code. (PROSE The Time Lord Letters [+]Justin Richards, BBC Books (2015).)

When the Doctor's final incarnation permanently died during the first battle of the War in Heaven, his coffin had two Greek letters on it; one of which was "Sigma". (PROSE: Alien Bodies [+]Lawrence Miles, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1997).)

John Smith[]

John Smith was an alias the Doctor frequently used on Earth and around humans when a "standard" name was needed, with the Eighth Doctor noting it was "the nom de guerre [he] seem[ed] to keep ending up with". (PROSE: Alien Bodies [+]Lawrence Miles, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1997).) It was often preceded by the title "Doctor", though not always — for example, when he was undercover as a teacher at a school or a patient in a hospital. (TV: School Reunion [+]Toby Whithouse, Doctor Who series 2 (BBC One, 2006)., Smith and Jones [+]Russell T Davies, Doctor Who series 3 (BBC One, 2007).) As "John Smith" was considered a generic name in some Earth cultures, the Doctor's use of the alias was occasionally treated with suspicion. (TV: Midnight [+]Russell T Davies, Doctor Who series 4 (BBC One, 2008).)

According to one account, the inspiration for the "John Smith" alias was the titular singer from John Smith and the Common Men, with which the First Doctor was familiar through Susan. (PROSE: The Witch Hunters [+]Steve Lyons, BBC Past Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1998).) According to another account, the "John Smith" name originated after Jamie McCrimmon saw it being used as a brand name on a metal container when the Second Doctor was being treated for a concussion on Space Station W3 and he had to give a name for the documentation, with the Doctor reacting with brief confusion when he was addressed as John upon awakening. (TV: The Wheel in Space [+]David Whitaker, Doctor Who season 5 (BBC1, 1968).)

The First Doctor used a library card with the name "Dr J. Smith" while living at 76 Totter's Lane, (TV: The Vampires of Venice [+]Toby Whithouse, Doctor Who series 5 (BBC One, 2010).) as well as for identification when renting the junkyard. (PROSE: The Rag & Bone Man's Story [+]Colin Brake, Short Trips: Repercussions (Short Trips, 2004).)

The Third Doctor adopted the name on a semi-regular basis during his exiled on Earth, where he served as a scientific advisor to UNIT. (TV: Spearhead from Space [+]Robert Holmes, Doctor Who season 7 (BBC1, 1970)., Inferno [+]Don Houghton, Doctor Who season 7 (BBC1, 1970)., The Time Warrior [+]Robert Holmes, Doctor Who season 11 (BBC1, 1973-1974).) The UNIT files referred to him as "Dr. J.S.". (AUDIO: Tales from the Vault [+]Jonathan Morris, The Companion Chronicles (2011).)

The Doctor twice changed himself into a human who used the name John Smith, first in their seventh incarnation, (PROSE: Human Nature [+]Paul Cornell, Virgin New Adventures (Virgin Books, 1995).) and again in their tenth incarnation. (TV: Human Nature [+]Paul Cornell, adapted from Human Nature (Paul Cornell), Doctor Who series 3 (BBC One, 2007).)

Often, the Doctor would use variations of the name, like the online handle "jsmith", jsmith8", (PROSE: Blue Box [+]Kate Orman, BBC Past Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 2003)., Lonely [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.) the French variation "Jean Forgeron", (COMIC: The Forgotten [+]Tony Lee, IDW mini-series and one-shots (IDW Publishing, 2008-2009).) or the German translation "Johann Schmidt". (PROSE: The Shadow in the Glass [+]Justin Richards and Stephen Cole, BBC Past Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 2001).) The Thirteenth Doctor once made use of a feminine variant, "Jane Smith", while hiding her true identity from Martha Jones. (COMIC: A Little Help from My Friends [+]Jody Houser, Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor (Titan Comics, 2020).)

By one account, "John Smith" was the name which the Meta-Crisis Doctor chose to go by upon settling down with Rose Tyler in Pete's World. (COMIC: Empire of the Wolf [+]Jody Houser, Doctor Who (2020) (Titan Publishing Group, 2021-2022).)

The Oncoming Storm[]

The Doctor was referred to as "the Oncoming Storm" by the Draconians, (PROSE: Love and War [+]Paul Cornell, Virgin New Adventures (Virgin Books, 1992).) himself, (PROSE: Vampire Science [+]Kate Orman and Jonathan Blum, BBC Eighth Doctor Adventures (BBC Books, 1997).) and in "the ancient legends of the Dalek homeworld". (TV: The Parting of the Ways [+]Russell T Davies, Doctor Who series 1 (BBC One, 2005).) In Draconian, the title was pronounced "Karshtakavaar". (PROSE: Love and War [+]Paul Cornell, Virgin New Adventures (Virgin Books, 1992).) After being told of the title by the Ninth Doctor, (TV: The Parting of the Ways [+]Russell T Davies, Doctor Who series 1 (BBC One, 2005).) Rose Tyler called the Tenth Doctor by the "Oncoming Storm" when she and Mickey Smith were being prepared for dissection by some Clockwork Droids. (TV: The Girl in the Fireplace [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 2 (BBC One, 2006).)

The Tenth Doctor later introduced himself as the "Oncoming Storm" to a Dalek aboard of the Wayfarer, (PROSE: Prisoner of the Daleks [+]Trevor Baxendale, BBC New Series Adventures (BBC Books, 2009).) and referred to the title when confronting a rabbit he thought was a Zygon. (TV: The Day of the Doctor [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special (BBC One, 2013).)

The Eleventh Doctor began calling himself the "Oncoming Storm" when he misinterpreted Sean's request to help the King's Arms football team "annihilate" another team at a match. (TV: The Lodger [+]Gareth Roberts, adapted from The Lodger (Gareth Roberts), Doctor Who series 5 (BBC One, 2010).) He later referred to the title when the Daleks had their memories of him wiped from their Pathweb by Oswin Oswald. (TV: Asylum of the Daleks [+]Steven Moffat, Doctor Who series 7 (BBC One, 2012).)

Destroyer of Worlds[]

As early as their second incarnation, the Doctor knew that the Daleks had also given them the epithet "Ka Faraq Gatri", (COMIC: Bringer of Darkness [+]Warwick Gray, DWMS comic stories (Marvel Comics, 1993).) which translated as "Destroyer of Worlds". (PROSE: Timewyrm: Revelation [+]Paul Cornell, adapted from Total Eclipse, Virgin New Adventures (Virgin Books, 1991).) or possibly, "Nice guy, if you're a biped". (PROSE: Continuity Errors [+]Steven Moffat, Decalog 3: Consequences (Virgin Decalogs, 1996).) He had been awarded the name upon orchestrating the destruction of the Daleks' homeworld of Skaro in his seventh incarnation, (TV: Remembrance of the Daleks [+]Ben Aaronovitch, Doctor Who season 25 (BBC1, 1988).) though the Daleks also used it prior to Skaro's destruction. (COMIC: Bringer of Darkness [+]Warwick Gray, DWMS comic stories (Marvel Comics, 1993).) Davros also referred to the Doctor as "the Destroyer of Worlds" after the Meta-Crisis Tenth Doctor destroyed the New Dalek Empire on the Crucible. (TV: Journey's End [+]Russell T Davies, Doctor Who series 4 (BBC One, 2008).)

Minor aliases[]

  • Belot'ssar: A title used by the Ice Warriors to refer to the Doctor, given to him by Ice Lord Azylax. The name meant "cold blue star", and was a reference to either the light on top of the TARDIS or the cold blue star he showed them to settle near after Mars became uninhabitable. (PROSE: The Silent Stars Go By [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)
  • The Walker in Time (COMIC: Pay the Piper [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)

First Doctor[]

Known uses of John Smith[]

Other aliases[]

  • Wissfornjarl: While on the Isle of Hoy, Orkney in 1956, the Doctor was given this name by the spaywife Janet McKay. After seeing his arrival in the TARDIS, she mistook him for the island's protector from Norse mythology. He believed that it was simplest to accept the name. The name meant "Wise Old Chieftain," which Ian thought was appropriate. (AUDIO: The Revenants [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)

Impersonations[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

Second Doctor[]

Known uses of John Smith[]

Other aliases[]

Impersonations[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

Third Doctor[]

Known uses of John Smith[]

Other aliases[]

Impersonations[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

Fourth Doctor[]

Known uses of John Smith[]

  • Figment knew the Fourth Doctor by the name "Jonathan Smith". (POEM: Afterwords [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)

Other aliases[]

Impersonations[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

  • Everywhere Man: The Tarl leader Ergu opted to refer to the Doctor as this after the Doctor said he came from "everywhere" to answer the question about his origins. (AUDIO: The Exxilons [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)
  • The Wizard: Emily, a child in whom Leela was reborn after her death, referred to the Doctor as "the Wizard." (AUDIO: The Child [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)

Fifth Doctor[]

Known uses of John Smith[]

Other aliases[]

  • Gaius Claudius Maximus: The Doctor used this name while visiting Cumae in 63 BC. (AUDIO: Tartarus)

Impersonations[]

Nicknames[]

Sixth Doctor[]

Known uses of John Smith[]

Other aliases[]

Impersonations[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

Seventh Doctor[]

Known uses of John Smith[]

Other aliases[]

Impersonations[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

Eighth Doctor[]

Known uses of John Smith[]

Other aliases[]

Impersonations[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

War Doctor[]

Known uses of John Smith[]

Other aliases[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

Ninth Doctor[]

Known uses of John Smith[]

Other aliases[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

Tenth Doctor[]

Known uses of John Smith[]

Other aliases[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

Eleventh Doctor[]

Known uses of John Smith[]

Other aliases[]

Impersonations[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

Twelfth Doctor[]

Known uses of John Smith[]

Other aliases[]

Impersonations[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

Thirteenth Doctor[]

Known uses of Jane Smith[]

Other aliases[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

Fourteenth Doctor[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

Fifteenth Doctor[]

Aliases[]

Nicknames[]

Titles and epitaphs[]

Others incarnations[]

Other realities[]

Behind the scenes[]

The Doctor's name[]

Invalid sources[]

  • After giving up his name, the War Doctor tested several aliases, including "Mister Moody", which he dropped when it proved incapable of eliciting shock and awe on the battlefield. (NOTVALID: The Doctor of War [+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.)

Ordinal or cardinal[]

Footnotes[]

  1. ↑ The actual signature is not seen on screen, but Sylvester McCoy's hand movement in the scene makes it clear that he signed a question mark.
  2. ↑ Doctor Who's real name is Mildred, claims Steven Moffat. NME. Retrieved on 12 April 2016.
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