WARNING: Contains potential spoilers for Absolute Wonder Woman #3!After 84 years, DC has finally revealed the true meaning behind the 'Wonder Woman'surname. To say she's nothing short of badass would be an understatement, making the iconic name even more fitting for the Amazonian warrior princess. With this new meaning established, it's also the perfect time to look back and examine the Golden Age origins of the name Wonder Woman.
...the explanation of Wonder Woman's nickname also ties into the ongoing subplot of Diana's quest to discover more about her heritage...
Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, Jordie Bellaire and Becca Carey Absolute Wonder Woman #3 continues the epic reimagining of the Amazon princess in the Absolute Universe. The series has already introduced significant changes to Diana's lore, from portraying her as a witch to having her grow up in the underworld.
In this latest issue, Wonder Woman's story takes another bold turn, as DC reveals a deeper meaning behind her iconic moniker. Rooted in its Amazonian origins, the title "Wonder Woman" is revealed to be the name given to the champion of the Amazons– the best among them – a name that is more than suitable for Diana.
DC Reveals the True Meaning and Origin of the 'Wonder Woman' Nickname
“The Amazons… That’s what they would call a champion…” – Bárbara Minerva in Absolute Wonder Woman #3 (2024)
Absolute Wonder Woman #3 begins with high stakes as Diana prepares to face the Tetraslayer - a monstrous creature with the potential to end the world. As she rushes out of a war council with the United States military to confront the threat, Diana accidentally bumps into another woman, who reveals herself to be Barbara Minerva, better known on Earth-Prime as Cheetah. Catching Barbara before she falls, Diana encourages her to find safety before refocusing on the Tetraslayer. However, as soon as Diana turns to leave, Barbara calls after her, "Wonder Woman!" prompting Diana to take a break.
When Diana asks about the name, Barbara explains, “The Amazons… That’s what they would call the champion… the best of them.” The mention of the Amazons immediately catches Diana's attention, especially since it was previously revealed that Circe, her mother, was forbidden from using the word 'Amazon' and from revealing Diana's heritage to her. Despite this, Diana eventually discovered that she was an Amazon. Not only does this moment provide a stunning twist on the meaning behind Wonder Woman's moniker, but it also ties into the ongoing subplot of Diana's quest to discover more about her heritage and her lost sisters.
How did Wonder Woman originally get her name in the comics?
Card variant of cover B by Ariel Diaz for Absolute Wonder Woman #3 (2024)
Thompson's decision to tie the meaning and origin of Wonder Woman's moniker to the Amazons is particularly brilliant, adding significant weight to the title. Traditionally, the origin of the name has been reduced to the press in most narratives. The idea that the press is responsible for naming Wonder Woman has been a consistent element throughout her comic book history, dating back to the Pre-Crisis era in William Moulton Marston's film Sensation Comics #1 (1941) for the Post-Crisis revamp, where George Pérez used the same trope in his Wonder Woman run in issue #4. So it's incredibly refreshing to see Thompson move away from this well-worn narrative choice and instead root the name in Wonder Woman heritage.
Absolute Wonder Woman #3 is now available from DC Comics!