I forgot this plot element, but I have been rewatching the series lately. Did the Doctor ever get a name? Whether in canon or even beyond canon? Is there anything even close to an official name for the character?
The Doctor's Name?
- Thread starter Emperor Norton
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He chose the name Schweitzer in the Season 1 episode "Heroes and Demons." He gave the name up at the end of the episode because "The last time I heard that name spoken was a painful one. I don't think I want to be reminded."
I just rewatched the episode last week.
I just rewatched the episode last week.
I know in promotional materials, he was named Zimmerman.
In the "Before and After" alternate timeline, he was Dr. Van Gogh. In his holodeck family program he was Kenneth to his holographic family. To the Vidian woman, Dr. Denara Pel, she called him Schmullis (not sure about spelling). But in the prime timeline, I don't think he ever took a name.
The original plan was for him to name himself after his creator, Lewis Zimmerman. He's even called that in early Voyager novels and trailers.
i think joe has a good ring to it
Actually I think it was Kenneth.
Which I liked, because 1) it's my dad's name and 2) he's a doctor too.
My reaction to his announcement that his name was now "Joe" was exactly like that of Tom Paris.
But once Admiral Janeway came to assist Voyager in getting home, that timeline evaporated. So we really don't know if he ever got a name in the timeline of Voyager getting home after seven years.
But once Admiral Janeway came to assist Voyager in getting home, that timeline evaporated. So we really don't know if he ever got a name in the timeline of Voyager getting home after seven years.
Schwitzer is a cool name and he could have deleted said pain memory. Bummer.
I'd rather have a name chosen for me by someone I cared about, but each to their own.
That's right and in two of the Voyager books, "The Escape" and "Violations" he's called Doctor Zimmerman or just Zimmerman.
I often refer to him as The Doctor, Zimmerman or Shmullus, a name that Denara Pel gave him in "Lifesigns" and which he obviously liked.
So my suggestion for a definite name for him is:
Lewis Shmullus Schweitzer Zimmerman.
I'd propose Dr Robert Jekyll Lewis Hyde Zimmerman. 
That's right and in two of the Voyager books, "The Escape" and "Violations" he's called Doctor Zimmerman or just Zimmerman.
I often refer to him as The Doctor, Zimmerman or Shmullus, a name that Denara Pel gave him in "Lifesigns" and which he obviously liked.
So my suggestion for a definite name for him is:
Lewis Shmullus Schweitzer Zimmerman.
The original series bible, which was given to us Trek novelists before the show debuted, listed his name as "Doctor Zimmerman."
Obviously, the show changed their mind about that, but I'm not surprised that the name made it into a couple of the early novels.
Series bibles, despite that label, are not Holy Writ. They're a starting point, but the actual show can end up going different ways.
(I remember that that VOY bible also described Tuvok as an elderly Vulcan who was a mentor to B'Elanna. Presumably that was written before they cast Tim Russ!)
After the episode Life Line I had expected the Doctor to officially take the name Zimmerman in honor of him.
Sweitzer was my favorite of all the different names he had. Scmullis and Kenneth are runner ups. Dr. Van Gogh, And Dr. Mozart are awful, and awfully pretentious.
I can't see any of the crew, especially Admiral Janeway calling him "Joe." In fact I bet she just kept calling him "Doctor." I did like that he settled on Joe, though.
Does anyone remember what his name was in "Blink of an eye?" I'm pretty sure he tells the astronaut.
I can't see any of the crew, especially Admiral Janeway calling him "Joe." In fact I bet she just kept calling him "Doctor." I did like that he settled on Joe, though.
Does anyone remember what his name was in "Blink of an eye?" I'm pretty sure he tells the astronaut.
No, we never found out. He talks to the astronaut about his adopted son (Jason Tabreeze) but not his own name.
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