The Joker's real name has never been definitively established across all DC Comics media, as his true identity is intentionally kept mysterious to enhance the character's intrigue. However, several names have been used in different adaptations:
- Jack Napier is the most widely recognized "real" name, introduced in Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film and used in some other adaptations like Batman: The Animated Series and Batwoman. This version portrays him as a mobster who becomes the Joker after a chemical accident
- In the comics, particularly in the 2022 Flashpoint Beyond series, the Joker's real name was revealed as Jack Oswald White. This name was disclosed in a storyline where Martha Wayne forces Psycho-Pirate to reveal the Joker's identity. The character Jack Oswald White is depicted as a struggling family man in an alternate universe, contrasting with the Joker's usual criminal persona
- Another commonly referenced name is Arthur Fleck , used in the 2019 standalone Joker film starring Joaquin Phoenix, which presents an origin story for the character as a failed comedian
- Some comics have also hinted at the Joker's first name being "Jack" without a last name, or other names like Sonny in alternate storylines, but these are less definitive
Overall, the Joker's real name varies by storyline and adaptation, with no single canonical identity. The mystery surrounding his true name is a deliberate choice by creators to maintain the character's enigmatic nature
