Kanan Jarrus had a completely different first and last name when he was training as a Padawan before the fall of the Jedi Order. Why did he change it?

Summary

• Kanan Jarrus, formerly known as Caleb Dume, changed his name to hide from the Empire and avoid being hunted down as a Jedi survivor of Order 66.
• Despite living under a new identity, Kanan remained a true and skilled Jedi, becoming a mentor and Jedi master to Ezra Bridger.
• Kanan's tragic and heroic death revealed his deep connection to his past as Caleb Dume, leaving a lasting impact on the Ghost crew and paving the way for Ezra's future as a Jedi.

Kanan Jarrus made his mark as an incredible Jedi during his time fighting in the Rebellion, but he wasn’t always known by the name he uses in Star Wars Rebels. Kanan was born Caleb Dume, and it was by this name that he was known during his time as a Padawan in the Jedi Order. The name “Kanan Jarrus” is actually an homage to Kasmir Janus, the ally that helped Kanan survive Order 66 and develop the skills he would need to go into hiding.

Though Kanan had stopped going by his birth name long before he is ever introduced on screen, those who knew him as a youngling at the Jedi Temple would have known him as Caleb. Huyang, the ancient robotic lightsaber architect, mentions Caleb Dume by name as he describes part of the lightsaber design that Ezra ultimately uses to construct his new weapon in Ahsoka. Many Jedi survivors kept their names while in exile, but Kanan had good reason to make a change.

Kanan Changed His Name To Hide From The Empire

When the Republic fell, the remaining Jedi that survived Order 66 were hunted down by the Empire. Bounty hunters, Darth Vader’s Inquisitors, and numerous other threats were always looming for those former Jedi, leading many of them to live secret lives in exile like the one Obi-Wan Kenobi led on Tatooine. To avoid discovery, most of them, Caleb Dume among the group, elected to hide their identity and distance themselves from the Force.

Kanan Jarrus spent years living under the Empire’s radar, spending his life doing odd jobs and relying on thievery until he joined the Ghost crew. For a long time, his true name and identity were known only to Hera Syndulla, and Kanan hid his Jedi abilities and all the trauma that came with acknowledging that part of his history. However, when Ezra Bridger needed someone to step up and provide Jedi training, Kanan reconnected with his roots and taught him everything he knew about the Force.

He May Have Changed His Name, But Kanan Remained A True Jedi

When Kanan first makes his on-screen appearance, he has already spent many years living under his new identity. Though he has cut himself off from the Force in an effort to survive, the teachings of the Jedi run strong within him, and he soon becomes a mentor and Jedi master to the young Ezra Bridger. Throughout Star Wars Rebels, Kanan continues to grow stronger in the Force, continuously building his skills and proving himself as one of Star Wars’ greatest Jedi. His devotion to his team and to Ezra’s training speaks volumes of his honor and courage, even when it cost him his life.

By the time of Kanan’s tragic and heroic death, he has truly reconnected with the part of him that was Caleb Dume, regardless of the name that he uses. By creating a new identity to match the new life he was forced to forge in the aftermath of Order 66, Kanan was able to honor his past as a Jedi in more ways than simply his personal identity. The example he sets in Star Wars Rebels lays the foundation for Ezra’s future as a Jedi, not to mention the impact of his leadership and sacrifice on the rest of the Ghost crew.