From the beginning of his story, Naruto has always been associated with his mother Kushina’s Uzumaki family name. This has made many readers feel curious. Especially when most characters in the series and in real life have the tradition of taking their father’s surname. He even has many physical characteristics similar to his father Namikaze Minato.
Naruto’s bright yellow hair resembles that of the other members of the Namikaze Clan. On the other hand, the Uzumaki clan is famous for their striking red hair. Surely, as Hokage, Minato would want his son to carry on his family name and clan to continue inheriting the legacy he left behind.
However, in medieval Japan, the name of the more influential clan took precedence when naming newborn babies, so it was not entirely true that Naruto was named Uzumaki, one of the most powerful clans in the series. completely absurd.
However, there are still some other reasons that support the theory that Naruto decided to take his mother’s last name.
First and foremost, having Naruto take on the family name would hide the fact that Minato has a son. During the Third Great Shinobi War, Minato’s name became legendary as the “Yellow Flash of Konoha”, causing many enemies from other villages. If they knew he had a son, he would obviously be a target for revenge.
Therefore, giving Naruto’s family name Uzumaki, a clan that is almost “extinct” because of its special abilities and almost no longer poses any threat is the best way to protect him.
Some fans have also theorized that author Masashi Kishimoto wanted to keep the identity of Naruto’s father a secret for as long as possible, meaning the boy must have had a different last name.
Additionally, after his parents passed away, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi took Naruto under his wing. He understood the different risks that the Namikaze and Uzumaki families brought, ultimately deciding that naming the child Naruto Uzumaki was the least dangerous thing to do. As a result, his connection to the Namikaze clan was largely erased and eventually forgotten.
Sarutobi’s decision remains controversial among fans to this day: was his father’s desire to protect Naruto from his enemies more important than the positive impact of growing up as a boy? of the Fourth Hokage could bring him?
