During the "Star Wars" Prequels I became very interested in finding out the significance of the names of the Sith (or other bad guys) in the series.

I knew that Darth Vader means "Dark Father", I believe it is Norse. Therefore, each Sith's "first" name means "Dark"...

How about Darth Maul? Webster's defines "maul" as: "a heavy often wooden-headed hammer used esp. for driving wedges; also: a tool like a sledgehammer with one wedge-shaped end that is used to split wood".

How did Palpaltine use Darth Maul? He certainly split the Jedi. He split Qui-Gon Ginn from Obi-Wan (you might say he put a wedge between them). He also separated Qui-Gon from Anakin (who after being split from his mother needed someone like Qui-Gon to depend on and look up to).

Next, Count Dooku. I admit, Dooku is not in the dictionary, however, his Sith name was Lord Tyranus, which sounds and looks similar to "tyranous" which means "marked by tryanny (oppresive power over the mind~oppressive power exerted by government); esp: unjustly severe". This certainly marks the attitude of the fallen Jedi; and the name also harkens to mind the name of the fiersome predatory dinosaur: Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Behind the scenes, manipulating the situation we have Darth Sidious (i.e., Palpatine). This name harkens to the word "insidious" which means: "...waiting to entrap: treacherous b: harmful, but inticing: seductive 2 a: having a gradual and cumulative effect: stuble b: of a disease: developing so gradually as to be established before becoming apparent

Certainly of all the names Lucas selected "Sidious" was the most thought out. Palpatine certainly wanted to entrap Anakin, he was harmful to him, but inticing, he was gradual in his attack on the Jedi and Anakin, and his tryanny was like a disease that developed gradually and by the time he had full control it was established beyond normal means of conquering it.

Now, leaving Webster and going to babynames.com, what do some other "Star Wars" names mean?...

Luke--means "light", obviously the opposite of "Darth"

Leia--interestingly, this name means "weary". Certainly Leia has other, stronger qualities, but when you think about it she was "weary" of seeing a galaxy, and then her friends in "pain". Notice how she looks at certain points of ANH, during their time on Bespin (ESB), and when Luke tells her the truth on Endor (ROJ)

It is interesting to consider that these are the names (the only gifts) Padme gives her children. Certainly she was of "the light" but also felt "weary".