Movies - TV
You've Heard That Name Before:
The Name 'Noonien Singh' Explained
By DANIELLE RYAN
When the crew of the Enterprise on "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" was announced, it was interesting to see the ship's chief of security, La'an Noonien Singh, sharing the controversial surname with one of the franchise's most infamous villains, Khan Noonien Singh. Khan was a genetically-engineered superhuman who at one point ruled a quarter of Earth's population.
Khan was part of a eugenics program that was intended to create a race of superhumans, who then took over more than 40 nations, and Khan himself became an absolute ruler. The Eugenics Wars ended with Khan’s exile on a ship named the SS Botany Bay, which was later discovered by Captain Kirk, who rescues Khan.
Khan tries to betray Kirk but eventually gets defeated and is forced to colonize the nearby planet Ceti Alpha V. However, that ends in disaster too, with many of the colonists (including Khan’s wife) dying slow, horrible deaths, and Khan tries to get revenge on the Enterprise 22 years later.
As for La'an Noonien Singh, "Strange New Worlds" co-showrunner Akiva Goldsman said, "She's related to Khan, for sure, and, uh, and the deal will unfold." Since the series is a prequel to the original series, it's possible for Khan to be woken up at some point during the show. For now, La’an will have to reconcile sharing a name with one of history's greatest villains.