The Big Bang Theory: Leonard's Name Totally Explains His Messy Love Life
The show was always smarter than you thought it was.
If there's one thing fans love about The Big Bang Theory, it's the fact that it never gets old. Even though the last episode of the show was released over four years ago, there are still enough Easter eggs hidden throughout the episodes to find every time you watch the series.
Even the names of the main characters have something special about them. While Penny is interesting to viewers because her last name is an eternal secret that will never be revealed, her love interest Leonard was not given his name out of the blue either.
There is a theory, which the majority of the fandom seems to support, that Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper were named in part after old Hollywood actor Sheldon Leonard. This would explain the choice of Leonard’s first name, but it's the last name that raises more questions.
This is where another theory comes in, suggesting that there was the influence of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Robert Hofstadter. The scientist would make perfect sense as an inspiration for Leonard's name, since the character is known for his passion for Physics and countless experiments. But that is not all that Hofstadter’s last name means.
Hofstadter's Law is also the name of the theory that states that things always take longer than expected. This law basically dictates Leonard's life throughout the series: from his scientific career to his relationship with Penny, every accomplishment takes him longer than expected, but turns out to be totally worth it in the end.
Although the show's creators, Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, have never confirmed that they were inspired by Douglas Hofstadter, the theory fits very well with the show's events, so it remains relevant among fans.
Whether you believe either of these theories to be true or think that there was another inspiration behind Leonard’s name, it's a question for further discussion.
The answer may be coming your way in one of the future interviews, but meanwhile you can spend your free time with Leonard by rewatching The Big Bang Theory on Netflix or Max.