You’d think the answer is easy. It’s Wonder Woman, right? Well, yeah, but also definitely no. If you’ve ever sat through a DC movie marathon or argued with a guy in a comic shop, you know things get messy fast.
Basically, her name is Diana of Themyscira.
But that’s just the start of the headache. Depending on which decade of comics you’re reading or which movie you’re watching, she might be a nurse, a museum curator, or a literal god. Honestly, even the name "Wonder Woman" wasn't the first choice. Her creator, William Moulton Marston—a guy who helped invent the lie detector and lived in a polyamorous household (talk about a life story)—originally wanted to call her Suprema.
Thankfully, an editor stepped in. "Suprema" sounds like a pizza topping. "Wonder Woman" stuck.
The Royal Reality of Princess Diana
In her home on Paradise Island (which we now call Themyscira), she is Princess Diana. No last name. Why would a princess need one? She was sculpted from clay by her mother, Queen Hippolyta, and brought to life by the gods. Or, if you’re following the newer New 52 or DCEU movie lore, she’s the biological daughter of Zeus and Hippolyta.
Either way, her "real" name is Diana. It’s a tribute to the Roman goddess of the hunt, which is kinda ironic since the Amazons are Greek, not Roman. You’d think they’d call her Artemis, right?
Well, funny story. There is another Amazon named Artemis. She actually took over the Wonder Woman mantle for a bit in the 90s when Diana was "fired" from the role. But for the main hero we all know, Diana is the name that stuck.
Why Does She Call Herself Diana Prince?
This is where the secret identity stuff gets weird. In the early 1940s comics, Diana didn't just make up the name Diana Prince. She actually bought it.
I’m serious.
She met a nurse who looked exactly like her. This woman was also named Diana Prince. The "real" nurse wanted to go to South America to be with her fiancé but didn’t have the cash. Our superhero Diana happened to have a bunch of money (don't ask where an Amazon gets USD in 1942), so they swapped. The superhero got the credentials and a job as a military secretary, and the nurse got a honeymoon.
It was a different time.
Today, the "Diana Prince" alias is mostly just a nod to history. In the Gal Gadot movies, she uses the name because it's a quick way to blend in. It keeps the "Diana" part of her identity while adding a surname that sounds vaguely regal but common enough to avoid suspicion.
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More Than Just a Name: Her Other Aliases
If you really want to win a trivia night, you need to know that Diana has used more names than a witness protection program. It’s not just about the "Wonder Woman name" everyone searches for.
- Diana Prince: The classic. Used when she’s working for the DMA (Department of Metahuman Affairs) or as an intelligence officer.
- Diana White: For a hot minute in the Golden Age, she actually got married and used her husband’s last name. We don't talk about that much.
- Cassandra Troy: A very recent alias she used in Batman: The Brave and the Bold #19. She combined the names of her "sisters" (Cassandra Sandsmark and Donna Troy) to go undercover.
- The Amazing Amazon: This is more of a title, like "The Dark Knight" is for Batman.
- God of War: For a while in the comics, she actually took over Ares' job.
The Princess Diana Confusion
People always ask if she’s named after the British Royal, Lady Di.
The math doesn't work. Wonder Woman debuted in All Star Comics #8 in December 1941. Princess Diana Spencer wasn't born until 1961. So, if anything, the royal family has some explaining to do (kidding).
Actually, both names come from the same source: the Roman goddess Diana. It represents independence, the moon, and the wild. It fits a woman who can bench-press a tank but still cares about peace and truth.
Why the Name Matters for You
Understanding the "what is wonder woman name" mystery is basically a lesson in how pop culture evolves. She started as a secret agent nurse and turned into a mythological demigod.
If you're a writer, a fan, or just someone trying to understand the DC universe, here is the breakdown of how to use her names correctly:
- Use Diana of Themyscira when you’re talking about her origins, her heritage, or her status among the Justice League. It’s her formal, "soul" name.
- Use Diana Prince if you’re referring to her living in "Man's World," working a job, or trying to stay off the radar of villains like Cheetah or Maxwell Lord.
- Use Wonder Woman only as the mantle. It’s her job title. It's the symbol she wears when she's deflecting bullets with those iconic silver bracelets.
The most important thing to remember? She doesn't actually need a secret identity as much as Superman or Batman does. She doesn't have a basement full of gadgets or a secret farm to protect. She is who she is. Whether she’s in a ballgown at a gala or in battle armor on a field of war, she’s always Diana.
If you want to dive deeper into her history, go find a copy of The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore. It digs into the real-life people who inspired the name and the character. It’s way more scandalous and interesting than any reboot.
Check out the original 1940s Sensation Comics to see the weird "nurse swap" story for yourself—it’s a trip. Knowing the distinction between her goddess roots and her human alias will make following the next decade of DC movies a whole lot easier.