Donkey Kong got his name from a mix of language choice and intent: Shigeru Miyamoto has explained that he picked “Donkey” to suggest stubbornness or foolishness in English, while “Kong” was a common way in Japan to evoke a big ape, like King Kong.

Quick Scoop

A popular myth says the name was supposed to be “Monkey Kong” and got mangled, but more credible accounts say Miyamoto intentionally chose Donkey Kong after looking for a name that fit the character’s personality. Some historical reporting also suggests Nintendo export manager Shinichi Todori may have been involved in naming the game for international markets.

Why the name works

  • Donkey : meant to sound stubborn or silly in English.
  • Kong : a nod to giant-ape imagery already familiar from King Kong.
  • The result was unusual, memorable, and surprisingly sticky as a brand name.

The short version

If you want the simplest answer: he got the name because Nintendo wanted something that sounded like a stubborn ape, and “Donkey Kong” just stuck.