Darth Vader (/ dɑːrθ ˈveɪdər /) is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. He first appeared in the original Star Wars film (1977) [b] and its novelization (1976). He is a leader of the Galactic Empire, and is one of the two major villains in the original film trilogy.

Context Explanation

Many of the Star Wars galaxy’s Sith Lords use the title of Darth, yet few properties directly address the title’s meaning, history, and origins. The first Star Wars character to use the Darth title is the franchise’s most iconic villain: Darth Vader. In the "Star Wars" universe, Sith Lords bear the title "Darth" followed by a unique name. Darth Vader, Darth Sidious, and Darth Maul each use the term as part of their identity.

Insight Material

In the most popular sense, “Darth” is a fictional title used in the Star Wars franchise to signify a Sith Lord —a practitioner of the dark side of the Force. The term is generally placed before the Sith’s chosen name, creating intimidating titles such as Darth Vader or Darth Revan.