Alongside Yoda's species, the Whills and Anakins conception, Palpatine's first name is one of those Saga mysteries that you want an answer to, but at the same time don't because you like the mystery of it all.

On the surface, it looks fairly mundane. A name. It's not exactly as juicy as Anakins conception. It's nearly not as intriguing as the Whills. Really, the name is nothing special. It wouldn't add to the character would it?

Yet, not giving a major player in the whole Saga a first name is interesting. It is a fairly simple task after all. You don't exactly have to think to hard. George Lucas could've just said "Bob Palpatine" and that would be it. Maybe the fans wouldn't have liked it, but it would still generate loads of discussion:

Bob Palpatine. Like it or not?

Is Bob just his nickname or his real name?

Bob can't be Palpatines first name. It's surely Robert or Roberto

Can you call Palpatine Rob or Bobby?

And so on.

But Lucas chose not to. He chose to leave it up to speculation. And speculate is what I'm going to do now!

Initial reaction would possibly be to delve into the earlier drafts and search for an older incarnation Palpatine with a different name, hopefully a first and last one. It's happened several times in the Saga that names from 30 years ago reappear in the Prequel Trilogy, such as Bail Antilles, Mace Windu, Utapau and so on. It's perfectly reasonable that this too would be the case with Palpatines first name.

When I delved into the second draft of Star Wars during my exploration of the second draft you will stumble across the name of Espaa Valorum, Darth Vaders Master and Master of the Bogan (the Dark Side in earlier drafts). This certainly fits the description of Palpatine but as I discovered, nowhere is it mentioned that Espaa Valorum is the Emperor (most likely is, but still, not mentioned). So, Espaa Palpatine, what do you guys think? I think it's not the right name.

Another name that appears in an earlier drafts than the one above is Cos D.a.s.h.i.t. (punctuations due to sensitive filter), which the drafts states is the Emperor. So this means that the name could either be Cos Palpatine or D.a.s.h.i.t. Palpatine. Again, I think none of these work, for some reason

There's also the possibility that Palpatine only has a single name. Kind of like Yoda, Yaddle, Greedo and so on. Or like Steven Sansweets answer to the question; What is Palpatine's first name?

Answer: Palpatine's first name, if he even has one, has yet to be revealed. That's not so unusual even in our own galaxy. For example, in one of the world's most populous countries, Indonesia, many people go by one name. And even some last names are just that, not family names. In the Star Wars universe, we doubt that there are many in the know for whom just plain "Palpatine" isn't enough.

Fair enough. There is that possibility, but as Wookieepedia points out:

However, it is unlikely that among the Naboo of Theed and its surrounding environs, where individuals have been shown to use both a personal or first name and a family surname, there should be such a noteworthy exception. Padmé Naberrie, his peer, has been firmly established to have been born of parents named Naberrie, and that she had siblings who were also so named, with different first names. Furthermore, other Naboo citizens, such as Sio Bibble and other members of the government, had both first and last names. It is possible, but hardly likely, that Palpatine has only one name.

Again, true and I believe this more. It seems like it's a Naboo tradition to have a first and last name. It would seem unlikely that Palpatines family would deviate from this. Another Naboo tradition that is interesting is the fact that when the King or Queen is elected, they go by a single name. Just like Queen Amidala or Queen Jamilia. However, this only goes for royalty because when Amidala becomes a Senator, she's known as Senator Padmé Amidala, not Senator Amidala. I hardly believe that Palpatine ever was a Naboo royal and would keep his name in that fashion.

So where does that leave us? Well, right where we started, unfortunately. Not much has exactly been cleared up, but I've got my own theory that I'm going to propose to you. It goes like this:

Palpatine isn't Palpatines real name.

One more time, Palpatines real name isn't Palpatine.

Hard to follow? I thought it would be. I'll explain, it's quite simple really.

We can all agree on that Palpatine isn't the most common name in the galaxy. We've actually never met another character connected, loosely connected or not connected at all with the Emperor called Palpatine. Now, we must assume that Palpatine was born to a mother and had a family, of some sort on Naboo before he was whisked of by Darth Plagueis. Assuming that Palpatine is his surname (he's always adressed in that fashion) leads to the obvious conclusion that his family had the same name.

This works against Palpatines plan for galactic domination since he had to disappear with Darh Plagueis at some point and I'm sure his family would've noticed. It doesn't really help if it states in your record from Naboo that a Palpatine was abducted by a mysterious stranger for such and such many years ago. Had he been an Antilles, then it might've not been noticed, since the name is so common. But the name Palpatine is so uncommon that if a person who fits the age and description of one being whisked away by a dark clad stranger suddenly emerges with a lot of power, well, I'd imagine that the fact would set off alarm bells among the Jedi.

Another theory concerns the fact that the name of Palpatine hasn't really got any meaning to it. Sure, his Sith name Darth Sidious gives us a hint of his personality but his "real" name doesn't. It's speculated that the name comes from the word palatine, which means "relating to a palace". For some, that might fit Palpatine, but it doesn't give us an idea of who he is. Take for example the names of Skywalker (prophetic to say the least), Darth Vader, Solo, Organa (bit of a stretch but Organa = Organ, vital to the Rebellion) and so on. I know some would say that Obi-Wan Kenobi or Mace Windu don't give any hints about their personalities or roles in the Saga, but thing is that Palpatine already means something, but doesn't it doesn't really reflect his personality in the same way as the other names do.

However, these reason area tad, flimsy, if you can call it that. But I have another reason, much simpler one, why Palpatines last name and eventual first name isn't his real ones.

You see, almost everything Palpatine does or says during the Prequel is fake. Lamenting the fact that he has to take increased control of the Republic. Loving democracy. Being caught by Greivous and so on. Even his appearance is fake and his true form is revealed after his encounter with Mace Windu. So if his actions are fake, his words are fake, his appearance is fake, why not his "real" name to? Is the name Palpatine just a part of the act? Does he want to hide his real first and last name and therefore any clues to his history?

Granted, this is just speculation. Also, I've seemed to make things worse. Instead of answering the question of Palpatines first name, I've instead come up with a theory that gives us neither his real first name or his real last name. Oh dear, sorry about that.

However, I will send you guys off with a little something to think about. If you take the first name of Ian McDiarmid who portrays Palpatine and jumble it up a litte (anagram 101) you'll get Ani. Anakin Palpatine, anyone? How does that sound?

Food for thought, indeed...