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Obi-Wan Kenobi is sometimes written, "OB1-Kenobi". Why is this?

It can't be the reason given in answer to Why are R2D2 and C-3PO spelled phonetically in outside media? since the accepted answer referred to pronunciation in the script, but there is no ambiguity with "Obi-Wan".

It has even been noted that it closely resembles what could be written as a droid-like name: OB1 (KNO-B).

DavidW
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Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE
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  • Given the current answers, I'd attribute that particular one to text-speak – Izkata Jan 02 '12 at 21:28
  • I realize this is an old question, but it's worth pointing out that there actually is ambiguity with "Obi-Wan," as Sir Alec Guinness pronounced his own character's name differently than the rest of the cast. – J. Strange Jul 10 '14 at 17:27
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    FYI, phonetically it's the same, O (Oh), B (Bee), 1 (wan)

    Sure one and wan are really different, if you try to conjure it perfectly, but try to say OhBeeWan thrice in 2 seconds. Same with "KnoBee"

     – Oak Mar 06 '15 at 11:18
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    There is some kind of urban legend that Obi Wan is named after the Oberheim OB-1 synthesizer, which the sound engineer used to make R2-D2s voice. But since the film came out in 1977 and the synth in 1978, I guess that's really just a myth... but it could be one of the possible sources for people writing "OB-1" instead of Obi Wan. It gets mentioned in the Wikipedia-article about the Oberheim OB-1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberheim_OB-1 – Tobi Aug 22 '18 at 11:45

5 Answers5

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There's no canon explanation. Obi-Wan is never called OB1.

The two origins are user errors (either lack of knowledge/confusion, or plain laziness), and a somewhat popular among fans conspiracy theory that Ben Kenobi is actually a clone of the Obi-Wan the Jedi, with clone designation of OB-1 (e.g., http://jedigrrrl.tumblr.com/post/6987082578/star-wars-obi-wan-kenobi-is-ob-1-clone-warrior)

Lexible
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DVK-on-Ahch-To
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I have to agree with OddCore - I've read a relatively large amount of the EU and the movie scripts. I've NEVER seen it written as 'OB1' or 'OB1 (KNO-B)' in official literature.

The wikipedia link you provide simply redirects to the main 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' article, common with other commonly misspelled names. The redirect is trivial to set up, and could have been done by anyone at any time, with little to no effort.

Your link in the comment to OddCore's answer (to a google search for "ob1-kenobi") brings up the official Wikipedia article (which doesn't mention that spelling), a facebook page or two, an 'Ewokapedia' article (never heard of that site before), and a hip-hop artist.

I believe what is happening is that someone has an 'epileptic tree theory' (TVTROPES) - a crazy theory that 'MAKES PERFECT SENSE IF YOU JUST THINK ABOUT IT' and has been trying to drum up support for it - adding wikipedia redirects, making minor notes in Wookieepedia articles, etc.

Also, it's worth pointing out that 'Obi-Wan' could have been initially mispronounced 'Ob-Eye wAn (with an 'a' sound like in 'wane')', so it's possible that someone once wrote it as 'OB1' to explain to Mark Hamill how to pronounce it (though it's significantly more likely they just said it once and he picked up on it).

DavidW
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Jeff
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  • It's been mentioned on Wookieepedia: "The name 'Obi-Wan' curiously resembles a droid name (e.g. Emkay (MK), Threepio (3PO), Artoo (R2) etc.), and theoretically it could also be written as OB1 (KNO-B)." I've seen it before, used in short hand (but not I think in official sources). – Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE Jan 02 '12 at 14:48
  • Maybe it has only been used in unofficial sources. Though there is an interesting theory that OB1 is a clone. – Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE Jan 02 '12 at 14:55
  • @Wikis: That is, I think, the very definition of an epileptic tree theory. Simply disproved by the fact that clones DIDN'T have names like that, droids did. Like I said, it's some crazy fan theory that someone desperately wants to draw attention to. – Jeff Jan 02 '12 at 15:12
  • Damn - just saw your comment re: clones after I posted mine on a stale page. Should I delete mine? – DVK-on-Ahch-To Jan 02 '12 at 20:53
  • I think the pronunciation guide is the likely possible source, but without a copy of any script or note, it's hard to really say (OB1 is easier to get the pronunciation than Obi-wan [OhBye-Wahn? Wohn? Wan?]) – HorusKol Jan 03 '12 at 02:21
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    As an someone with epilepsy I feel somewhat offended by the theory. – Monkeygirl Jan 03 '12 at 09:37
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    @Monkeygirl: For what it's worth, I didn't come up with the theory or the term. That said, I'm sorry if I've offended. – Jeff Jan 03 '12 at 13:29
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I have never seen it written as OB1, and anyone who does write it like that - or R2D2 as Artoo Deetoo or C3PO as See Threepeeo, at least outside of movie script - is wrong.

OddCore
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It stems from fan speculation with Kenobi's mention of the clone wars in SW:ANH. (speculating his name was a serial ID for his clone)

EhevuTov
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Because he's a clone, obviously, and OB1 was his ID number, Obi-Wan a transliteration, and Ben Kenobi the name of his source genes.

In seriousness this is not a canonical answer, but it is a hypothetical answer to the question that's remarkably consistent with OT canon and a fascinating thought experiment into what an alternative version of the prequels might have looked like.

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Adam Wuerl
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