I was today years old when I learnt the reason why Captain Kirk refers to Doctor McCoy as ‘Bones’ in Star Trek

Captain James T. Kirk’s (played by William Shatner) friendship with USS Enterprise Medical Officer Dr. Leonard McCoy (played by DeForest Kelley) holds a special place in the Star Trek universe. Kirk would playfully call him ‘Bones,' a name that stuck to the character through all the ventures. Though Kirk would also refer to him as ‘Doc’ on occasions, ‘Bones’ became synonymous with Dr. McCoy.

But how did the nickname come about? Well, it is just simply derived from the word ‘sawbones,' which was a term used for doctors during the American Civil War. In the 1837 novel by Charles Dickens called The Pickwick Papers, surgeons are also referred to as ‘sawbones.' It is ironic that Star Trek, which takes place hundreds of years into the future, would take inspiration from this.

That said, it is a known fact that Kirk had a fondness for history, and calling his dear friend ‘Bones’ was not just a take on his profession but also a term of endearment.

Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy in the franchise

Captain Kirk referred to Dr. McCoy as ‘Bones’ from the first episode of Star Trek: The Original Series titled ‘The Man Trap.’ While the enterprise had other doctors on board, Dr. McCoy became an instant fan favorite. Creator Gene Roddenberry wanted Kelley for the role from the start and was also responsible for coming up with the nickname for the beloved doctor.

In the 2009 J.J. Abrams movie Star Trek set in the Kelvin timeline, the role of Dr. Leonard McCoy is played by Karl Urban. The friendship between McCoy and Kirk is different from the prime timeline, as Kirk ends up in Starfleet only after the meeting with Captain Christopher Pike (played by Bruce Greenwood) following a bar fight with him. While the lead characters in the Kelvin timeline and Prime timeline have their slight differences, the nickname ‘Bones’ is still part of it.

In the Kelvin timeline, McCoy had joined Starfleet after his chaotic divorce. A flustered McCoy will tell Kirk,

"...the ex-wife took the whole damn planet in the divorce. All I got left is my bones."

During their time in the Starfleet Academy, the two form a strong bond, and the nickname stays post this conversation.

There have been speculations if we will get to see a younger version of Prime timeline Dr. McCoy in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which is set to come back to the screens with Season 3 on July 17, 2025, on Paramount+.

It is an established fact that McCoy and Kirk were friends before the captain took command of the ship. With the introduction of Paul Wesley as young Lieutenant James T. Kirk, it remains to be seen if we will get to see the two old friends again. And maybe even see the birth of the nickname ‘Bones.'

Watch Star Trek on Paramount+.

ALSO READ: I was today years old when I learnt the reason Spock disappeared from Prime timeline in Star Trek

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