# The Big Bang Theory: What Will Penny's Last Name Be? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 23, 2011, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817 "2011-11-23T00:16:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/21 "2011-11-23T07:50:39Z")
Bernadette would undoubtedly know because she is a cow orker at The Cheesecake Factory and would see the name on a work schedule. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/22 "2011-11-23T11:42:31Z")
I didn’t even know her last name was a secret. I thought we’d heard it before, but I guess not. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/23 "2011-11-23T13:50:44Z")
… I also never noticed that we were not expected to know Penny’s last name, as the omission has never been an issue. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/24 "2011-11-23T14:41:56Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > [Big Bang Theory producer Bill Prady states that Penny’s last name will eventually be revealed](http://weblogs.variety.com/season_pass/2009/05/big-bang-theory-we-didnt-anticipate-how-protective-the-audience-would-feel-toward-our-guys.html). > > I thought we’d get her last name when her dad came to visit, but alas, no. They covered that very well–Leonard called him “Sir” a couple of times, and he said “Son, you can call me Wyatt” Trivia:The first mention of Penny’s father was in The Maternal Capacitance, where she called him ‘Bob’. However, his name was later changed to Wyatt. I’m hoping her last name is either a brand of liquor, or “Banger” ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/25 "2011-11-23T14:46:00Z")
Sfrumeven Faryerthawts ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/26 "2011-11-23T15:04:02Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > It wouldn’t be something geeky, as others have noted since the other characters would have commented already. > > It’s probably something anti-geek, like “Lashay,” “Kardashian,” “Hilton,” “Manning,” “Krzyzewski.” She could be related to someone in entertainment or sports and these guys would have no idea who it is. Enter a very special cameo. If she had family connections in the entertainment industry, wouldn’t her acting career have taken off by now? ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/27 "2011-11-23T15:08:55Z")
Titfuck. You heard it here first. Edit: Count me in as someone that didn’t know this was a thing as well. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/28 "2011-11-23T15:13:28Z")
Here is the relevant passage in the OP’s linked article: > [@](#): > > Q. Will we ever meet Penny’s family? Come to think of it, will you ever tell us her last name? > > A. Yes, and yes. This rather succinct reply, buried among a number of much more interesting (IMO) Q’s and A’s, leads me to believe it’s not necessarily a big secret or will necessarily be a big important reveal. So I voted “mundane.” ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/29 "2011-11-23T15:17:23Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > Penny Lane, it’s got to be Penny Lane. Voting for this one. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/30 "2011-11-23T15:35:42Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > It can’t be a geek reference, because somebody would have commented on it already. My guess is some thing new-geek, so whatever hits the science news in the next few months, look for a surname. While I agree with the essence of this. If the name is mundane enough, like let us say, Newton, it can be both geeky and common and opening up potential plot lines like she is a direct descendent of Sir Issac. Even Teller I suppose is a possibility, but Openheimer, Einstein and Galileo are probably out. ---
**Author:** ![nonacetone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonacetone/32/2819_2.png) [@nonacetone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nonacetone)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/31 "2011-11-23T16:17:56Z")
Wise? ---
**Author:** ![heathen\_earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/13edae/32.png) [@heathen\_earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heathen_earthling)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/32 "2011-11-23T16:18:21Z")
> [@TV\_time](#): > > While I agree with the essence of this. If the name is mundane enough, like let us say, Newton, it can be both geeky and common and opening up potential plot lines like she is a direct descendent of Sir Issac. Even Teller I suppose is a possibility, but Openheimer, Einstein and Galileo are probably out. Unlikely, since [Isaac Newton](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/957/was-isaac-newton-a-virgin) isn’t known to have had any descendants. ---
**Author:** ![FlightlessBird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cdc98d/32.png) [@FlightlessBird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlightlessBird)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/33 "2011-11-23T16:27:05Z")
Yeah, they had to have known it. They are always meeting at the mailboxes and Leonard even got her mail at one point. So I never considered it a plot-point. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/34 "2011-11-23T16:36:09Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > Penny Lane, it’s got to be Penny Lane. Nah. If it was, then “Lois Lane” and “Margo Lane” comments would be flying nonstop. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/35 "2011-11-23T16:51:42Z")
> [@FlightlessBird](#): > > I never considered it a plot-point. I don’t think it could reasonably be made into a plot point - it’s just something that sad little people like us like to speculate about on the internet, and the cast and production team therefore have to field questions about it from time to time. New favourite: “Penny London,” from this little bit of anecdata [dropped by Jim Parsons](http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/17/big-bang-theory-star-jim-parsons-pennys-last-name-is/): > [@](#): > > “I’ve heard Penny Lane. I suggested Moonves. I thought a shout-out to Les Moonves, the head of CBS, wouldn’t be a bad idea. But nothing has stuck,” says Parsons. “Our prop master’s last name is London and every once in a while he’ll print ‘Penny London’ on something. But it’s not really her name. He’s just egotistical enough to assign her his last name.” ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/36 "2011-11-23T16:59:58Z")
> [@TV\_time](#): > > While I agree with the essence of this. If the name is mundane enough, like let us say, Newton, It can’t be Newton. They surely would have mentioned it in the episode where Sheldon was teaching Penny about Physics and the discussion turned to fig cookies. As for Penny Lane, I don’t think the guys would even get that reference. That could be why Penny likes them, they’re the first people she’s ever hung out with that didn’t tease her about her name. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/37 "2011-11-23T17:05:09Z")
Candy. Ante. Playing off of her father’s first name-Earp. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/38 "2011-11-23T17:10:30Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > As for Penny Lane, I don’t think the guys would even get that reference. Really? I don’t think that even Sheldon seems insulated enough from popular culture for _that_ one to pass without comment. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/39 "2011-11-23T17:15:17Z")
Coyne. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817/40 "2011-11-23T17:17:15Z")
Leonard and Sheldon didn’t know who Tweety Bird was. TWEETY BIRD. There is nothing they’re not too sheltered to not know. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-what-will-pennys-last-name-be/603817.md?page=3)