Nichelle Nichols (December 28, 1932 - )
βUhura never had another name during the series. One of the fan writers wrote βUpendaβ - which means βpeaceβ in Swahili, I understand β not officially, but in some of their fan writings. And it sort of took hold. But when they were going to do the official history of Star Trek in a published book, the writer called Gene and asked him was βUhuraβ her first name or her last name? Gene said, βWell, Nichelle and I never decided.β We always leaned towards it being her last name because itβs taken from the Swahili βuhuruβ which means freedom. So it would sort of be like the same as βFreeman.β So he said, βYou can make it her last name.β The writer said, βWhat about her first name? Iβve come up with one in Swahili. Itβs Nyota.β Gene said, βI canβt give you that permission because Nichelle and I named her together, and she has rights to that, so youβll have to call her and get her permission.β So he gave him my number, and he called me and I laughed and was delighted. He said, βI have a name and itβs Nyota.β I said, βThatβs quite beautiful. What does it mean?β He said, βIt means βstarβ.β I said, βYou can have my permission!β So I have since said that her name is Nyota Upenda Uhura, which would mean a free-floating star: βstar of freedom and peaceβ. I like that.βΒ Β Β β NICHELLE NICHOLS
