Every Straw Hat Pirate's Moniker, Explained (2024)

The One Piece story is filled with numerous interesting characters, and one way they are quickly characterized upon their introductions is through monikers. Epithets and nicknames can efficiently express key traits or notable accomplishments in a way that contributes to a deeper understanding of characters. The monikers associated with each of the ten Straw Hat Pirates on Monkey D. Luffy's crew provide useful insight into the nature and trajectories of the main pirate ensemble of the series.

The Straw Hat Pirates have been characterized by bold action and unconventional behavior since their debut on the East Blue, and their journey has continued to deliver the same disruptive effect all across the ocean's Grand Line. Luffy's crew has earned new bounty increases and public notoriety after the Raid on Onigashima in Wano, giving their names more power than ever. As the Straw Hat Pirates celebrate success at the peak of their adventure, it's the perfect time to reflect on the origins of their trademark monikers.

10 Jinbe Honors All Fish-Men as First Son of the Sea

Jinbe's Moniker: First Son of the Sea

Before Jinbe joins the Straw Hat Pirates as a wise yet gentle warrior, he's one of the powerful Fish-Men in Fisher Tiger's Sun Pirates and one of seven Warlords of the Sea. It's not until Jinbe defects from the World Government and becomes Captain of the Sun Pirates that he honors his ultimate commitment, finally freeing him to join Monkey D. Luffy's crew as its tenth member after the Whole Cake Island Saga.

Jinbe is known as the First Son of the Sea because of his role as Fisher Tiger's strongest crewmate, and the moniker, which is also translated as Knight of the Sea, reflects his trademark chivalrous nature. Honor drives everything that the Fish-Man warrior does, and this trait influences Jinbe's decision to extend respect for comrade Portgas D. Ace to his brother, Luffy. The Straw Hat Pirates continue to make names for themselves as they close in on the One Piece, and Jinbe will be by Captain Luffy's side fighting with the honor and ferocity that made him the First Son of the Sea.

9 Brook's Musical Talent & Devil Fruit Define His Character

Brook's Moniker: Humming Brook & Soul King Brook

Brook's past as a Rumbar Pirate before joining Monkey D. Luffy's crew in Thriller Bark influences the traits that lead to his identity as Humming Brook, the Soul King. These monikers are linked to Brook's musical talent and the mysterious Devil Fruit that empowers his unique existence as an undead skeleton.

Humming Brook's affinity for music is clear from his debut with the haunting melodies of the Bink's Sake tune that he sings alone on the abandoned Rumbar Pirates as the crew's sole survivor. The rest of his former crew slowly perished as they roamed the dangerous Florian Triangle zone of the sea that Gecko Moria uses to trap victims and steal their souls. Brook would've perished with his crewmates, but the Revive-Revive Devil Fruit brings him back to life as a skeleton, making him into the legendary Soul King of the Straw Hat Pirates.

8 Franky Saves His Life By Becoming a Cyborg

Franky's Monikers: Cyborg Franky & Iron Man Franky

Cutty Flam is the name Franky was born with, but he returns to his home in Water 7 with a new identity after he's injured trying to protect his shipwright mentor, Tom. The impact of a train damages him so severely that he has to reconstruct many of his body parts, leading him to his future as the Straw Hat Pirates' Franky the Cyborg.

"Iron Man" Franky is a strong pirate, but his skills as an engineer and shipwright are perhaps his most valuable assets. The Straw Hat Pirates' Thousand Sunny ship is a fantastic testament to Franky's work, and his skills become even more refined after his stint on Karakuri Island studying Dr. Vegapunk's technology and cyborgs during the timeskip. The cyborg Straw Hat continuously creates impressive machines and weapons, but his best accomplishment is salvaging his body by slowly reconstructing it with incredible skill and willpower.​​​​

7 Robin Represents the Dark & Light Sides of a Revolution

Robin's Monikers: Demon Child & Light of the Revolution

Nico Robin's reputation as the Demon Child predates the monikers of all other Straw Hat Pirates, and the debut of her Demonio Fleur form during the Wano Saga brings a new meaning to the title. However, her rivaling identity as the Light of the Revolution is a more honest representation of the seventh Straw Hat.

Ohara was the island home to Nico Robin and many other intelligent archaeologists who studied the histories of the ancient Poneglyphs before the World Government destroyed the location with the unforgiving power of a Buster Call. After Robin is discovered as the sole survivor of the genocide, she receives a bounty despite her young age and becomes publicly demonized in a very literal sense. When Robin finally crosses paths with revolutionaries during the timeskip, she is honored as the Light of the Revolution for surviving her dark past.

6 Chopper's Personality Diminishes His True Strength

Chopper's Moniker: Cotton Candy Lover Chopper

The silliest Straw Hat moniker belongs to Tony Tony Chopper, a deer using the Human-Human Devil Fruit who becomes a talented doctor and lover of cotton candy after his transformation. Chopper's soft nature, childlike naivety, and identity as Cotton Candy Lover Chopper diminish the skills that make him a great Straw Hat Pirate.

Despite his friendly disposition, Tony Tony Chopper unleashes some of the most violent attacks of all the Straw Hats when using his uncontrolled Monster Point form. The World Government fails to recognize his strength, leaving Chopper's bounty at a measly one thousand Berries because he's mistakenly considered only a pet. The stark contrast between Chopper's darkest combat mode and his general goofy presentation as Cotton Candy Lover Chopper and more makes his character one of the funniest in the series.

5 Sanji Carries on Zeff's Legacy as the Straw Hat Chef

Sanji's Moniker: Black Leg Sanji

Sanji joins the Straw Hat Pirates as the crew's chef, and his connection to cooking creates the meaning behind his nickname. Black Leg Sanji is a moniker that complements his fighting style, but more importantly, it honors his cooking mentor who saved his life as a child.

Before becoming a Straw Hat, Sanji worked on the Baratie restaurant ship as a chef under Red-Leg Zeff, the former Captain of the Cooking Pirates. Sanji's craft as a chef is so important to him that he refuses to use his hands in battle to preserve them for cooking, further empowering his reputation as Black Leg Sanji. The Straw Hat chef's fiery attacks and trademark black tuxedo complement his moniker well, but its greatest significance is its service as an homage to Sanji's stern mentor's legacy.

4 Usopp the Sniper King Is Becoming More like His Father

Usopp's Monikers: Sniper King & God Usopp

Usopp's tall tales are the catalysts for the identity he develops as a formidable leader when, in fact, his fear still often gets the better of him. Although Usopp has room to grow, he becomes more worthy of his title as the Sniper King with each daring act that furthers the outlandish stories he tells about his supposed brave feats.

Usopp's Sniper King identity highlights a unique connection between him and Straw Hat Luffy; the name pays homage to Usopp's sniper father, Yasopp, who sails the Grand Line with Luffy's close ally, Red Hair Shanks. Although God Usopp is a clear exaggeration of the pirate's abilities, he leverages deceit to pull off truly courageous acts in the moments when he's most needed. After harnessing Observation Haki in Dressrosa, Usopp is closer to becoming the legitimate sniper and brave pirate he resolves to become for the Straw Hat Pirates.

3 Nami's Past as a Theif Drives Her Emphasis on Money

Nami's Moniker: Cat Burglar Nami

Nami makes a living stealing from pirates in service of the Arlong Pirates that control her home, Cocoyashi Village. She had hoped to free her village by paying off its debt, but she resorts to asking Monkey D. Luffy to help her overthrow the evil crew of Fish-Men and joins the Straw Hats immediately after.

The pirate's past as Cat Burglar Nami inspires an obsession with money, and this trait continues to characterize the Straw Hat navigator throughout the journey across the Grand Line. Although Nami may not employ her theft skills as often anymore, the fierce independence and intense resolve that make her a good thief are still the feature characteristics of her personality. Nami's greed can be a hindrance, but being allowed to control the Straw Hats' money champions her past in a lovely way and is memorialized by her moniker.

2 Zoro Aims to Become the World's Greatest Swordsman

Zoro's Moniker: Pirate Hunter Zoro & King of Hell

The notorious swordsman, Zoro, must leave behind his past as the fearsome Pirate Hunter to pursue his future as Monkey D. Luffy's first crewmate. Zoro's past as a bounty hunter is the origin of his title, and it sets the tone for the impressive career that awaits him on the journey to succeed Dracule Mihawk as the world's greatest swordsman.

Zoro resolves to become the King of Hell, and his ruthless Three Sword Style pushes him ever closer to his dream of being the most terrifying pirate in the world. The Straw Hat swordsman demonstrates his fierce power against many formidable opponents, like his notable victory against King from former Emperor Kaido's Beast Pirates. Zoro's intense determination promises to drive him to add even more impressive accomplishments to his legacy until he achieves his ultimate goal.

1 Monkey D. Luffy Grows Legacy of His Mysterious Hat

Luffy's Moniker: Straw Hat Luffy

Gol D. Roger's title as the King of the Pirates is perhaps the only nickname more well known than Monkey D. Luffy's moniker as Straw Hat Luffy. Coincidentally, Luffy's identity as the Straw Hat Pirate is inextricably connected to the past of Gol D. Roger and one of his crew members. Red-Haired Shanks, one of the younger members of the former Roger Pirates, is the first to inherit the symbolic straw hat before passing it on to his pupil, Luffy.

The lineage of the iconic straw hat represents a clear link between Roger and Luffy; however, the only glimpse seen of the massive straw hat monument points to a greater mystery surrounding its history that has yet to be revealed. Historical mysteries aside, the influence of the legendary straw hat has grown beyond its bearers to Luffy's entire crew of pirates and further as the ranks of his fleet of Luffy's supporters grow. It's safe to say that at this point in the One Piece story, the straw hat is as inseparable from Monkey D. Luffy as he is from it.

One Piece

Created by Eiichiro Oda, the One Piece franchise explores the adventures of pirate Luffy D. Monkey and his crew, the Straw Hats. Since the manga first debuted in 1997, One Piece has been adapted into an ongoing anime that has seen multiple movies. Most recently it was adapted into a live-action series by Netflix.

Created by

Eiichiro Oda

First TV Show

One Piece (1999)

Latest TV Show

Netflix's One Piece

First Episode Air Date

October 20, 1999

Cast

Mayumi Tanaka , Kazuya Nakai , Colleen Clinkenbeard , Christopher Sabat , Kerry Williams , Kappei Yamaguchi , Sonny Strait , Hiroaki Hirata , Eric Valette , Ikue Ootani