---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Theon Greyjoy had once commented that…"
description: "\"“Theon Greyjoy had once commented that Hodor did not know much, but no one could doubt that he knew his name. Old Nan had cackled like a hen when Bran ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_theon-greyjoy-had-once-commented-that-ho_2382452.png"
---

#  Theon Greyjoy had once commented that Hodor did not know…

![“Theon Greyjoy had once commented that Hodor did not know much, but no one could doubt that he knew his name. Old Nan had cackled like a hen when Bran told her that, and confessed that Hodor’s real name was Walder. No one knew where “Hodor” had come from, she said, but when he started saying it…” quote by George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_theon-greyjoy-had-once-commented-that-ho_2382452.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_theon-greyjoy-had-once-commented-that-ho_2382452.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_theon-greyjoy-had-once-commented-that-ho_2382452.png)

> ““Theon Greyjoy had once commented that Hodor did not know much, but no one could doubt that he knew his name. Old Nan had cackled like a hen when Bran told her that, and confessed that Hodor’s real name was Walder. No one knew where “Hodor” had come from, she said, but when he started saying it, they started calling him by it. It was the only word he had.””

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Hodor’s name originates from a misheard phrase, showing how language can be shaped by misunderstanding.

**In simple terms:** Hodor’s name is a result of a misinterpretation.

Key Takeaway

Recognize how misunderstandings shape identity.

Themes

language identity miscommunication memory

Mood

melancholic thoughtful

Type

literary analytical

When to use this quote

- storytelling
- character analysis
- language learning

Key Concepts

linguistics psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- What names or labels have you accepted without questioning?
- How does miscommunication affect relationships?

A Different Perspective

Misinterpretations can cause lasting effects.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bran/) [Bran Told](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bran-told-1814896/) [Commented Hodor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commented-hodor-5905510/) [Confessed Hodor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confessed-hodor-1814894/) [Hodor Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hodor-real-3315177/) [Knew Hodor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knew-hodor-3315176/)

## Related quotes

> [“Hodor’s real name was Walder. No one knew where “Hodor” had come from, she said, but when he started saying it, they started calling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/hodor-s-real-name-was-walder-no-one-knew-where-hodor-had-come-from/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“Old Nan had cackled like a hen when Bran told her that, and confessed that Hodor’s real name was Walder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/old-nan-had-cackled-like-a-hen-when-bran-told-her-that-and-confessed/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Bran had told himself a hundred times how much he hated hiding down here in the dark, how much he wanted to see the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/bran-had-told-himself-a-hundred-times-how-much-he-hated-hiding-down/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [The stone is strong. Bran told himself, the roots of the trees go deep, and under the ground the Kings of Winter sit their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-stone-is-strong-bran-told-himself-the-roots-of-the-trees-go-deep/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“They came to the high stone shaft with the face of Sul; they descended to the terrace below. And here Caradog waited, leaning on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-aiken/they-came-to-the-high-stone-shaft-with-the-face-of-sul-they-descended/)

[Joan Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-aiken/)

> [“She has the blood of a wolf," said Joffrey. "And you have the wits of a goose," said Tyrion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/she-has-the-blood-of-a-wolf-said-joffrey-and-you-have-the-wits-of-a/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“I do solemnly proclaim Tyrion of House Lannister and Sansa of House Stark to be man and wife, one flesh, one heart, one soul,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/i-do-solemnly-proclaim-tyrion-of-house-lannister-and-sansa-of-house/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“We Lannisters do have a certain pride," said Tyrion Lannister. “Pride?” Catelyn snapped. His mocking tone and easy manner made her angry. “Arrogance, some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/we-lannisters-do-have-a-certain-pride-said-tyrion-lannister-pride/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“Jaime smiled. "I hope you're not thinking of taking the black on us, sweet brother." Tyrion laughed. "What, me, celibate? The whores would go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/jaime-smiled-i-hope-you-re-not-thinking-of-taking-the-black-on-us/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“Remind me to tell the High Septon,” said Tyrion. “If I could pray with my cock, I’d be much more religious.” He”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/remind-me-to-tell-the-high-septon-said-tyrion-if-i-could-pray-with-my/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“Shae helped Pod with the buckles and clasps. “If I die, weep for me,” Tyrion told the whore. “How will you know? You’ll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/shae-helped-pod-with-the-buckles-and-clasps-if-i-die-weep-for-me/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“Aerys Targaryen did as he liked. Has your mother ever told you what happened to him?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/aerys-targaryen-did-as-he-liked-has-your-mother-ever-told-you-what/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“The longer he lived, the more Tyrion realized that nothing was simple and little was true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/the-longer-he-lived-the-more-tyrion-realized-that-nothing-was-simple/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“The huge stableboy had a lost and frightened look to his face. “Hodor?” he said sadly. “Hodor,” Bran agreed, wondering what it meant.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/the-huge-stableboy-had-a-lost-and-frightened-look-to-his-face-hodor/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“If I were Mace Tyrell, I would sooner have Joffrey's head on a pike than his cock in my daughter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/if-i-were-mace-tyrell-i-would-sooner-have-joffrey-s-head-on-a-pike/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

## More by George R.R. Martin

> [“Neither's the one you get, less you want me to see if your apple's ripe, yet. - Yoren”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/neither-s-the-one-you-get-less-you-want-me-to-see-if-your-apple-s/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“You are the queen, he ought to be begging leave of you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/you-are-the-queen-he-ought-to-be-begging-leave-of-you/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“It is my look they will flinch from now, my frown that they must fear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/it-is-my-look-they-will-flinch-from-now-my-frown-that-they-must-fear/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“A good threat is often more telling than a blow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/a-good-threat-is-often-more-telling-than-a-blow/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“This wine is very choice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/this-wine-is-very-choice/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“Everything Syrio Forel had ever taught her vanished in a heartbeat. In that instant of sudden terror, the only lesson Arya could remember was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/everything-syrio-forel-had-ever-taught-her-vanished-in-a-heartbeat-in/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“Megga couldn’t sing, but she was mad to be kissed. She and Alla played a kissing game sometimes, she confessed, but it wasn’t the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/megga-couldn-t-sing-but-she-was-mad-to-be-kissed-she-and-alla-played/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“The rain feels good against my face, Sam. It feels like tears. Let me stay a while longer, I pray you. It has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/the-rain-feels-good-against-my-face-sam-it-feels-like-tears-let-me/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“Every man who walks the earth casts a shadow on the world. Some are thin and weak, others long and dark.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/every-man-who-walks-the-earth-casts-a-shadow-on-the-world-some-are/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“The shy girl she had known at Riverrun had grown into a woman who was by turns proud, fearful, cruel, dreamy, reckless, timid, stubborn,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/the-shy-girl-she-had-known-at-riverrun-had-grown-into-a-woman-who-was/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“He won the war on the battlefield and lost it in a bedchamber, poor fool.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/he-won-the-war-on-the-battlefield-and-lost-it-in-a-bedchamber-poor/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“On the morning after battle the crows had feasted on victors and vanquished alike. How much can a crown be worth when a crow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/on-the-morning-after-battle-the-crows-had-feasted-on-victors-and/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“The little man gave the big one a look. One of his eyes was green, one was black, and both were cool.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/the-little-man-gave-the-big-one-a-look-one-of-his-eyes-was-green-one/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“Jon, could there be honor in a lie, if it were told for a...good purpose? - Samwell”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/jon-could-there-be-honor-in-a-lie-if-it-were-told-for-a-good-purpose/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“My mother said my father had a drop of dragon blood.” “Two drops. That, or a cock six feet long.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/my-mother-said-my-father-had-a-drop-of-dragon-blood-two-drops-that-or/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

[Explore all 1,761 George R.R. Martin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

## More Bran quotes

> [“If I were Mace Tyrell, I would sooner have Joffrey's head on a pike than his cock in my daughter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/if-i-were-mace-tyrell-i-would-sooner-have-joffrey-s-head-on-a-pike/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“The huge stableboy had a lost and frightened look to his face. “Hodor?” he said sadly. “Hodor,” Bran agreed, wondering what it meant.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/the-huge-stableboy-had-a-lost-and-frightened-look-to-his-face-hodor/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“The longer he lived, the more Tyrion realized that nothing was simple and little was true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/the-longer-he-lived-the-more-tyrion-realized-that-nothing-was-simple/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [I prefer Raisin Bran. But I like the Mini-Wheats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/i-prefer-raisin-bran-but-i-like-the-mini-wheats/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [“Tommen looked back to Ser Kevan. "Can I seal them now, Great-Uncle?" Pressing his royal seal into the hot wax was his favorite part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-martin/tommen-looked-back-to-ser-kevan-can-i-seal-them-now-great-uncle/)

[George Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-martin/)

> [“Jaime had decided that he would return Sansa, and the younger girl as well if she could be found. It was not like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin-2/jaime-had-decided-that-he-would-return-sansa-and-the-younger-girl-as/)

[George R. R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin-2/)

> [“Aerys Targaryen did as he liked. Has your mother ever told you what happened to him?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/aerys-targaryen-did-as-he-liked-has-your-mother-ever-told-you-what/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“Shae helped Pod with the buckles and clasps. “If I die, weep for me,” Tyrion told the whore. “How will you know? You’ll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/shae-helped-pod-with-the-buckles-and-clasps-if-i-die-weep-for-me/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“Remind me to tell the High Septon,” said Tyrion. “If I could pray with my cock, I’d be much more religious.” He”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/remind-me-to-tell-the-high-septon-said-tyrion-if-i-could-pray-with-my/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“Jaime smiled. "I hope you're not thinking of taking the black on us, sweet brother." Tyrion laughed. "What, me, celibate? The whores would go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/jaime-smiled-i-hope-you-re-not-thinking-of-taking-the-black-on-us/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“We Lannisters do have a certain pride," said Tyrion Lannister. “Pride?” Catelyn snapped. His mocking tone and easy manner made her angry. “Arrogance, some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/we-lannisters-do-have-a-certain-pride-said-tyrion-lannister-pride/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“I do solemnly proclaim Tyrion of House Lannister and Sansa of House Stark to be man and wife, one flesh, one heart, one soul,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/i-do-solemnly-proclaim-tyrion-of-house-lannister-and-sansa-of-house/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [You promised him vengeance as well.' 'I promised him justice.' 'Call it what you will. It still comes down to blood." - Tywin &amp;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-promised-him-vengeance-as-well-i-promised-him-justice-call-it/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“She has the blood of a wolf," said Joffrey. "And you have the wits of a goose," said Tyrion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/she-has-the-blood-of-a-wolf-said-joffrey-and-you-have-the-wits-of-a/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“You look very elegant today, my lord." "I'm wounded. I strive to look elegant every day." - Tyrion &amp; Littlefinger”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/you-look-very-elegant-today-my-lord-i-m-wounded-i-strive-to-look/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

[Browse all 260 Bran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bran/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Theon Greyjoy had once commented that Hodor did not know much, but no one could doubt that he knew his name. Old Nan had cackled like a hen when Bran told her that, and confessed that Hodor’s real name was Walder. No one knew where “Hodor” had come from, she said, but when he started saying it, they started calling him by it. It was the only word he had.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "George R.R. Martin"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/theon-greyjoy-had-once-commented-that-hodor-did-not-know-much-but-no/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Bran"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/theon-greyjoy-had-once-commented-that-hodor-did-not-know-much-but-no/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_theon-greyjoy-had-once-commented-that-ho_2382452.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_theon-greyjoy-had-once-commented-that-ho_2382452.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e62/george-r-r-martin-48_bran_theon-greyjoy-had-once-commented-that-ho_2382452.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Theon Greyjoy had once commented that Hodor did not know much, but no one could doubt that he knew his name…” — George R.R. Martin",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "George R.R. Martin",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Theon Greyjoy had once commented that...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/theon-greyjoy-had-once-commented-that-hodor-did-not-know-much-but-no/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/theon-greyjoy-had-once-commented-that-hodor-did-not-know-much-but-no/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
