Donkey Kong is not a donkey; he is a large ape whose name was chosen to mean "stubborn ape."
Understanding the Name "Donkey Kong"
The name "Donkey Kong" was deliberately chosen by creator Shigeru Miyamoto to convey a specific meaning to the American audience, which explains why the character, despite having "Donkey" in his name, is an ape and not a donkey.
According to Miyamoto's statements, the reasoning behind the name is tied to the intended characteristics of the character:
- "Donkey": Miyamoto used this word to convey the idea of being "stubborn" in English.
- "Kong": This term was used simply to imply him being a "large ape".
Therefore, the name Donkey Kong was intended to convey "stubborn ape" to the American audience, not that the character is literally a donkey.
The Name's Components
To clarify the intended meaning:
| Name Part | Intended Meaning (Reference) | Implied Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Donkey | Convey "stubborn" | Stubbornness |
| Kong | Imply "large ape" | Ape (and large size) |
This clarifies that the name describes his nature (stubborn) and his species (ape), rather than labeling him as a donkey.
While inspirations for the character's creation also came from other sources like 1930s American media and "Beauty and the Beast," the specific choice of the name "Donkey Kong" directly relates to conveying the character's traits as a "stubborn ape."
