One The Big Bang Theory Mystery That Will Remain Unsolved Forever

Thanks to its close ties to pop culture, The Big Bang Theory has always been filled with references and Easter eggs, whether they are audible and hidden in the characters' jokes, or visual and part of the sets' backgrounds.

However, there is only one true mystery left on the iconic show, and the creators believe it is better not to reveal it at all.

What was Penny's last name before she married Leonard? Now that we all know she took Leonard's last name and became Mrs. Hofstadter, finding out Penny's last name is just a matter of curiosity for most of the fandom.

Fans may recall finding the name Teller on a mailbox Penny is holding in one of the episodes. Or they may theorize that the name Penny Teller was originally chosen as an homage to the American magicians Penn & Teller. But every time fans thought they were close, or caught a real unintentional gaffe, the creators shot them down.

What started out as a jinx, the more the show went on, the more producers, actors and writers got on board with the idea of Penny's full name being an unsolved mystery. Both Kaley Cuoco, who portrayed Penny, and Steve Moralo, the creator of The Big Bang Theory, weighed in on the matter.

“You know, I don't think we will [reveal it]. We're kind of a superstitious lot here. We've made it this far without knowing Penny's last name. I think we're good not finding out,” Moralo said back in 2013 to Vulture, before the final season premiere.

The team decided to stick to their guns and never revealed Penny's last name. While the decision caused a bit of controversy for the team in the media, as it felt lazy and a bit disrespectful to a leading female character to continue to remain nameless, fans of the show aren't as bothered.

The Big Bang Theory has managed to open up Penny's character and describe her so well over the course of the show's 12 seasons that having her maiden name would really just be a fun detail that doesn't change how she's perceived.

Source: Vulture