<p>There is one Monkey King in <em>One Piece</em>, not Luffy. He is the leader of <a href="https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Coffee_Monkeys" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Coffee Monkeys</a> and he appears in episode 395.</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/AlwRk.jpg" alt="Screenshot of Monkey King in One Piece">]</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-11T14:55:29.810Z
2019-06-29T04:40:10.087Z
2019-06-29T04:40:10.087Z
Dian Li
<p>I don't think so. The novel is called <em>Journey to the West</em>, and <em>Monkey</em> is the name of a translation into English that became popular that shifted more of the focus onto the Monkey King, Sun Wukong. </p>

<p>It is possible, but Goku was literally given the Japanese name of the Monkey King and had the ability to change into a Giant Ape and the magical staff of the Monkey King, whereas for Luffy it is just his family name, that he shares with Garp and Dragon. </p>

<p>I don't think he is named after this story, there are many stories in the Far East about a handful of animals such as monkeys, dragons and tigers, often the monkeys in the stories will have similar traits, like being playful and strong.</p>

<p>Many characters in <em>One Piece</em> have animal themes, notably the original Shichibukai and Admirals, and they all act/appear in a way that suits their animal to some extent, Mihawk hunting Krieg in his first appearance, Doflamingo being flamboyant. </p>

<p>I think Luffy was just given the name Monkey to highlight his monkeyish characteristics.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-03T18:07:26.900Z
Oda played a lot with different references from the beginning. Using a double reference of Dragonball and Wukong for his main character would match his style.
Kobor42
CC BY-SA 4.0
2015-03-10T22:25:32.577Z
2019-06-29T04:40:07.717Z
2019-06-29T04:40:07.717Z
Qiri
<p>I believe so. Luffy's primary attack involves manipulating the size of his arms, similar to the staff of Sun Wukong. They're both useless in water. Also, the Pirate King thing is very much like Sun Wukong's "Equal to the heavens" schtick.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-09T16:45:08.803Z
2015-04-09T16:50:43.447Z
2015-04-09T16:50:43.447Z
Ben
<p><em>Monkey: Journey to the West</em> by Wu Cheng'en in the 16th century is regarded as one of the 4 great classical novels of China (at least according to Wikipedia).  I have read that Son Goku (<em>Dragon Ball</em>) is directly inspired by Sun Wukong as <em>Dragon Ball</em> was originally supposed to mirror <em>Journey to the West</em> (and of course deviated from this).  While I don't know if that is true, I know Oda lists the <em>Dragon Ball</em> series as a major inspiration.</p>

<p>Is Monkey D. Luffy the man aiming to become the King of the Pirates named after Sun Wukong: the Monkey King?</p>

<p>Update: I apparently overlooked that Sun Wukong (Chinese) is referred to as Son Goku (Japanese).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-03-10T03:50:56.743Z
I think Oda used Dragon Ball as inspiration in the way fights are laid out, but not for the name of Luffy. Monkey D. Luffy is more like because of the way Luffy moves around.
絢瀬絵里
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-15T23:29:09.563Z
Yes, if there's any inspiration from *Journey to the West*, it would be indirect, through Toriyama, not from the source text.
Meir Illumination
<one-piece>
Is Monkey D. Luffy named after Sun Wukong?
# Is Monkey D. Luffy named after Sun Wukong?
Posted by: username_0 on 2015-03-09
*Monkey: Journey to the West* by Wu Cheng'en in the 16th century is regarded as one of the 4 great classical novels of China (at least according to Wikipedia). I have read that Son Goku (*Dragon Ball*) is directly inspired by Sun Wukong as *Dragon Ball* was originally supposed to mirror *Journey to the West* (and of course deviated from this). While I don't know if that is true, I know Oda lists the *Dragon Ball* series as a major inspiration.

Is Monkey D. Luffy the man aiming to become the King of the Pirates named after Sun Wukong: the Monkey King?

Update: I apparently overlooked that Sun Wukong (Chinese) is referred to as Son Goku (Japanese).
**Tags:** one-piece
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I think Oda used Dragon Ball as inspiration in the way fights are laid out, but not for the name of Luffy. Monkey D. Luffy is more like because of the way Luffy moves around.  
> **username_2**: Yes, if there's any inspiration from *Journey to the West*, it would be indirect, through Toriyama, not from the source text.  
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## 3 answers
### Answer by username_3 on 2018-10-11. Score: 1
There is one Monkey King in *One Piece*, not Luffy. He is the leader of [Coffee Monkeys](https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Coffee_Monkeys) and he appears in episode 395.

![Screenshot of Monkey King in One Piece](https://i.sstatic.net/AlwRk.jpg)]
---
### Answer by username_4 on 2015-03-10. Score: 1
I don't think so. The novel is called *Journey to the West*, and *Monkey* is the name of a translation into English that became popular that shifted more of the focus onto the Monkey King, Sun Wukong.

It is possible, but Goku was literally given the Japanese name of the Monkey King and had the ability to change into a Giant Ape and the magical staff of the Monkey King, whereas for Luffy it is just his family name, that he shares with Garp and Dragon.

I don't think he is named after this story, there are many stories in the Far East about a handful of animals such as monkeys, dragons and tigers, often the monkeys in the stories will have similar traits, like being playful and strong.

Many characters in *One Piece* have animal themes, notably the original Shichibukai and Admirals, and they all act/appear in a way that suits their animal to some extent, Mihawk hunting Krieg in his first appearance, Doflamingo being flamboyant.

I think Luffy was just given the name Monkey to highlight his monkeyish characteristics.
> **Comments:**
> **username_5** (2015-12-03): Oda played a lot with different references from the beginning. Using a double reference of Dragonball and Wukong for his main character would match his style.  
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### Answer by username_6 on 2015-04-09. Score: 0
I believe so. Luffy's primary attack involves manipulating the size of his arms, similar to the staff of Sun Wukong. They're both useless in water. Also, the Pirate King thing is very much like Sun Wukong's "Equal to the heavens" schtick.
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