Summary
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Hero names in My Hero Academia symbolize the hero's identities, goals, and ambitions.
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The tradition of hero names comes from superhero comics in the US.
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The villains in My Hero Academia also adopt aliases for similar reasons to the heroes, such as hiding their true identity.
In the world My Hero Academiaidiosyncrasies and heroes remain the main focus of the storytelling, which leads to one significant element being quite often overlooked – the names of the heroes. Although it seems like a fairly simple concept, the names of the heroes carry a lot of weight in the series. This is evident from the fact that most of the characters in My Hero Academia they are better known by their hero names instead of their real names, and the same goes for fans who remember their favorite characters by their hero names.
Aside from the symbolic nature of the heroes' names, these titles serve as the heroes' only identity, and their entire careers are built around those names. For some heroes, their hero name represents their ambitions and goals as a hero, while others base their names on their powers and abilities. However, the bottom line remains the same as these titles serve as the foundation for any aspiring hero.

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Why do heroes have specific hero names?
A convention rooted in superhero comics
My Hero Academia's the hero naming system originally came from old US superhero comics, as superheroes would hide their true identity from the public under a nickname. The series took this concept and made it an integral part of the hero world where each hero must have a specific hero name to serve as a public identity. While each hero has the freedom to choose the nickname they prefer, having a hero name is a must because it serves multiple purposes.
The first and foremost purpose of a hero's name is to hide the hero's true identity. Being a public figure would lead to their personal lives being the target of vicious attacks, hence hero names became the norm. Hero names serve the additional purpose of making the hero sound much wilder. While this may seem like a fairly simple concept, it is essential that the heroes appear powerful and terrifying in an effort to strike fear into the hearts of their opponents. While most heroes don't consider this when choosing their hero names, it still serves as a significant element in the entire hero naming system.
Representing ambitions and goals
The names of the heroes are a reflection of the goals of the heroes
Hero names are significant for all sorts of reasons. The primary one, however, refers to the symbolic value that these titles have. For many heroes, this symbolism is tied to their ambitions and goals as heroes. This can be seen in several hero names, and Endeavor is a prime example of this. His name is a reflection of his ambition to become the number one hero and surpass the legacy of All Might.
Your hero's name is a wish… what you want to be… or what you think you should be – Best Jeanista
The name of the hero All Might is another title that has great symbolic value. As the strongest hero in the world of heroes, the hero name All Might reflects his strength and power, which is quite fitting for the Symbol of Peace. Hero names can also serve as motivation for heroes to achieve their goals, as these titles can serve as a reminder of what they represent.
Make quirkiness your identity
The names of the heroes are also based on oddities
Several heroes have based their heroic name on their quirks and abilities. While this may not have as much symbolic value, it is still a significant aspect as it serves as their identity in the world of heroes. This trend is more commonly witnessed in Heteromorphs, although examples of each type of quirk are seen in My Hero Academia. Uravity, Tentacole, and Froppy are perfect examples of joke-based hero names.
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While quirk-based hero names may not be the best-sounding titles, they still serve their purpose of being the hero's identity in the public eye. Still, some hero names end up sounding interesting and wild, such as Hawks' hero name, which is based on his Fierce Wings quirk. Others take on a slightly cuter nature, such as Creati or Uravity.
Origin of villain names
Villains follow a similar naming convention
Interestingly, the villains also follow a similar naming convention as the heroes. Villains end up creating hero names for similar purposes, such as hiding their true identities or appearing fiercer in public. Hero Killer Stain, Overhaul, and Dabi are a few examples of villains who hide their true personalities by using an alias.
Despite being less common, villains' names are a reflection of their antagonistic goals. However, the concept of villain names is not that specific as these names are somewhat limited My Hero Academia. Yet they come from the same place as hero names, with superhero comics serving as inspiration for villains coming up with codenames.
My Hero Academia is available to stream on Prime Video.

- Studio
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Bones
- Creator
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Kōhei Horikoshi