Darth / Legends Darth was a title given to certain Sith Lords which preceded either their chosen Sith name , or , in some cases , their birth name . Overview . Many Sith Lords chose to add " Darth " to their name , so much so that the word is considered synonymous with the dark side of the Force in some circles . It was also taken to signify giving up one ' s old life . Such examples are Anakin Skywalker becoming Darth Vader , or Jacen Solo becoming Darth Caedus . But the origins of the word are uncertain . It is often thought that " Darth " is merely a contraction of the title " Dark Lord of the Sith " , but there are theories that suggest a deeper interpretation . Possible Origins . Some historians suggest that " Darth " is actually a corruption of the Rakata word " Daritha " , meaning " emperor " . Others note another Rakatan connection : the words for " triumph " or " conquest " in Rakatan is " darr " , and the word for " death " is " tah " , leading to the theory that " Darth " is derived from " darr tah " and therefore means " triumph over death " or " immortal " . Given the Sith obsession with discovering the means to achieve immortality , this idea is not entirely without merit , at least on the surface . But others point out that the true meaning of " darr tah " is " conquest through death , " meaning the conquest of one ' s enemies . Ultimately , the flaw in such theories involving a Rakatan origin is that , even if they are accurate , they cannot spring specifically from Revan or Malak ' s re - discovery of the Rakata and the Star Forge . Five years prior to their emergence as Sith Lords ( 3964 BBY ) , the title " Darth " was already well known by the Jedi in connection to the Sith , which is why Padawan Zayne Carrick could call Jarael " Darth Sunshine . " In addition , Haazen claimed that if he were to take a name like the Sith of old , it would be " Darth Hayze , " all but asserting that the title Darth was around prior to Revan and Malak ' s discovery . There is still the possibility that one of the Rakatan theories could be correct , since the ancient Sith homeworld of Korriban had once been occupied by the Rakata ( circa 28 , 000 BBY ) , which is one way either the " Daritha " or " darr tah " term could have entered the ancient Sith language . Darth Andeddu lived during the time of the old Sith Empire ( 6900 BBY to 5000 BBY ) , early enough for his holocron to come into the possession of the fallen Jedi Freedon Nadd . He was known for experiments into eternal life , a possible link to the Rakatan term . But even if the Rakatan connection proves to have some validity , numerous other cultures make similar claims to the etymology of the title , so for the present , there is no definitive answer as to what the term " Darth " truly means . Usage of the term . The earliest use of the title that can be pinned down to a specific year was by Naga Sadow , last of the original Dark Lords of the Sith that ruled the old Sith Empire . The expatriate Lord Vitiate renewed usage of the title in his reformed Empire . There , the " Darth " title was used by high - ranking Sith Lords , including – but not limited to – members of the Dark Council . Later Sith Lords of the Jedi Civil War era also used the title Darth , as did the founding Sith Lord of the Light and Darkness War , Darth Ruin , though there were few later Sith bearing the title until the rise of Darth Rivan and Darth Bane . During the Draggulch Period , Lord Kaan discouraged the usage of the term within the Brotherhood of Darkness , claiming that it promoted rivalry among the Sith . Darth Bane , believing that the reason was merely fear , revived the use of the title in the last days of the Brotherhood . Bane , as the only survivor of the Sith Order after the Seventh Battle of Ruusan , was largely able to reshape the Sith in his own image , instituting such reforms as the Sith of his lineage adopted the Darth title as he did , generally coupling it with a new Sith name ( e . g . Sidious , Tyranus , Vader ) , which appears to have been chosen for the apprentice by the master at the time the apprentice swore allegiance to the Sith . Not all usages of the term " Darth " during this time , however , preceded a Sith name , as Darth Maul ' s name had the title of " Darth " preceding his birth name . By the time of the One Sith , the " Darth " title was reserved only for those who proved their power and their unquestioning loyalty to Darth Krayt . Others , such as Vul Isen , were not entitled to the Darth title despite their expertise in the Dark Side of the Force , and weren ' t regarded as " real " Sith by some of the Darths . Behind the scenes . Author and " " lead writer Drew Karpyshyn hinted at a booksigning in Huntington Beach , California , that he likes to think the Darth title was around before the Infinite Empire . Darth is often thought to be a combination of letters from the title Dark Lord of the Sith , a theory which is alluded to in " " . " Darth " may also be a portmanteau of " dark " and " death " . Prior to the release of " " , the only known Sith Lord to bear the title Darth was Darth Vader . When Darth Sidious and Darth Maul were revealed in " The Phantom Menace " , the title took on its distinct association with the Sith , and it has appeared throughout of all eras of the " Star Wars " saga . As a result of the popularity of " Star Wars " , the term " Darth " has entered the popular lexicon as a term for evil . Most references are still associated with the " Star Wars " universe . In " " , Obi - Wan Kenobi addresses Darth Vader simply as " Darth " , which is the only instance in the films where the word is used isolated . It is possible that at this point in the development of the saga " Darth " was intended to be the character ' s name , not a title ; in - universe , possibly Obi - Wan was deliberately emphasizing the title as a way of taunting Vader and driving home what he had become .