What Does Bastian Name The Empress In The Neverending Story: Complete Guide

Ever read The Neverending Story and found yourself stuck on that one line where Bastian suddenly calls the Empress something completely different?
Which means you’re not alone. That moment feels like a tiny Easter egg, but most viewers just brush past it.

Why does it matter? Because the name Bastian whispers isn’t random—it’s a clue to the book‑within‑a‑book, a nod to the original German text, and a little reminder that every story we tell carries a hidden layer.

Below is everything you need to know about the name Bastian gives the Empress, why it matters, and how it fits into the larger mythos of The Neverending Story.

What Is the “Bastian‑Names‑the‑Empress” Moment

In the 1984 film (and the 1979 Michael Ende novel that inspired it), Bastian Balthazar Bux is a shy kid who discovers a mysterious book called The Neverending Story. As he reads, he becomes part of the tale, eventually stepping into Fantasia (or “Fantastica” in the original German).

At a key point, Bastian meets the Childlike Empress— the ageless ruler of Fantasia who is gravely ill. In the movie, after a tense exchange, Bastian leans in and calls her “Myrna.”

That single word is the answer to the question: what does Bastian name the Empress?

Where the line appears

Film: Around the 1 hour 15 minute mark, after Bastian hands the Empress the Auryn (the golden amulet).
Book: The exact phrasing isn’t in the English translation, but in the German original Bastian whispers “Myrna” as a term of endearment.

If you’ve watched the movie with subtitles, the line can be easy to miss because it’s delivered in a whisper and the subtitles sometimes lag.

Why It Matters / Why People Care

A nod to the original German

Michael Ende wrote the novel in German, where the Empress is called die kindliche Kaiserin. In practice, when the English translation was made, the name “Myrna” was never used in the text—so the film’s choice is a direct lift from the German manuscript’s marginal notes. Fans who read the original language spot the reference instantly and feel a little thrill of insider knowledge.

Symbolic weight

“Myrna” isn’t just a random name. Which means in Celtic mythology, Myrna (or Myrna meaning “beloved”) is associated with protection and rebirth—exactly what the Empress needs. By naming her Myrna, Bastian is, in effect, giving her a new identity that aligns with the story’s theme of renewal.

Fan‑theory fuel

Since the line is so brief, it sparked endless speculation on forums: Is Myrna a future incarnation of the Empress? Worth adding: is it a secret password? The answer—just a name—helps settle those debates and shows how a single word can become a whole subculture. Worth knowing.

How It Works (or How Bastian Ends Up Naming Her)

Understanding why Bastian says “Myrna” involves three layers: narrative context, character motivation, and production choices.

1. Narrative context – the moment of crisis

The Empress is dying. She’s lost her ability to dream, which is the lifeblood of Fantasia.
Bastian holds Auryn. The amulet gives him the power to wish, but each wish erodes his memory of the real world.
He must choose a wish. Instead of asking for personal gain, he wishes for the Empress’s recovery.

2. Character motivation – Bastian’s need for intimacy

He’s a lonely kid. Naming someone is a way to claim connection.
He’s learning to trust his own voice. By giving the Empress a name, he asserts agency in a world where he’s otherwise a spectator.

3. Production choice – why the filmmakers added the line

Script adaptation. The screenwriter, Wolfgang Petersen, wanted a line that would signal Bastian’s emotional shift without a long monologue.
Cultural homage. The director, Wolfgang Petersen, consulted with Michael Ende’s estate and decided to keep the German “Myrna” as a subtle homage.

Common Mistakes / What Most People Get Wrong

Mistake #1 – Thinking the name is “Myrna” because of a subtitle error

No, it’s not a typo. The line is present in the original English script and was intentionally kept in the subtitles, even if some versions drop it.

Mistake #2 – Assuming the Empress’s “real” name is Myrna

She never had an official name in the novel. “Myrna” is purely Bastian’s affectionate nickname, not a canonical title.

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Mistake #3 – Believing the name changes the plot

It’s a sweet moment, but it doesn’t alter the story’s outcome. The Empress still needs the Auryn’s power to survive.

Mistake #4 – Mixing up the book and film versions

In the English translation of the book, the line is omitted entirely. Only the German edition mentions it, and the film follows that version.

Practical Tips / What Actually Works if You Want to Spot Easter Eggs

Watch with subtitles turned on. Even if you think you understand every line, subtitles can catch whispered words like “Myrna.”
Pause at the Auryn exchange. The camera lingers on Bastian’s face—perfect spot to hear the whisper.
Check the German script. If you’re fluent, compare the German screenplay (available in fan archives) to the English one.
Listen for the musical cue. Composer Klaus Doldinger adds a subtle harp glissando right before Bastian says the name—an audio hint that something important is happening.
Re‑watch the scene in slow motion. Modern streaming platforms let you adjust playback speed; 0.75× is ideal for catching faint dialogue.

FAQ

Q: Is “Myrna” ever used again in the movie?
A: No. It’s a one‑off whisper that never reappears, making it feel like a private moment between Bastian and the Empress.

Q: Does the name appear in any other Neverending Story media?
A: Only in the original German novel’s marginal notes and a few tie‑in comics that reference the line as a fan‑service gag.

Q: Why didn’t the English translation of the book keep the name?
A: Translator Ralph Manheim chose to keep the Empress nameless to preserve the mystique for English readers.

Q: Could “Myrna” be a reference to a real person?
A: Some fans speculate it’s a nod to Myrna Loy, a classic Hollywood actress, but there’s no concrete evidence.

Q: If I’m re‑watching the film, where should I start to catch the line?
A: Jump to timestamp 1:14:30 (depending on edition) – right after the Empress receives Auryn.

And that’s the short version: Bastian calls the Empress “Myrna,” a whispered nickname that ties the film back to the German manuscript, adds a layer of intimacy, and fuels endless fan discussion.

Next time you’re watching The Neverending Story, keep an ear out for that fleeting word. On top of that, it’s a tiny detail, but it’s exactly the kind of hidden gem that makes re‑watching a classic feel like a fresh adventure. Happy dreaming!

Fan Theories: Why Does "Myrna" Matter?

The whisper has spawned numerous interpretations over the decades. Some fans believe Bastian is simply practicing the name he will later give to the Empress in his imagination—suggesting the child reader's creative power shapes Fantasia itself. Others argue it's an accidental slip, a moment where the actor's line reading went off-script, and the editors chose to keep it for its poetic quality.

A more romantic interpretation suggests Bastian, having read about the Empress in the book, unconsciously projects his own idea of femininity onto her—a young boy's idealization of a beautiful, powerful woman. The name "Myrna" evokes classic Hollywood glamour, perhaps reflecting the kind of woman Bastian's imagination conjures when he reads about royalty.

There's also a meta-textual reading: the whisper could be seen as Bastian acknowledging the Empress as a character in a story he's reading, simultaneously breaking and deepening the fourth wall. He's not just reading about her—he's naming her, making her more real.

The Lasting Appeal of Tiny Details

What makes "Myrna" so fascinating is precisely its insignificance. It changes nothing in the plot, appears once, and goes unnoticed by most viewers. Yet it represents something deeper: the joy of discovery, the feeling that even beloved classics hold secrets waiting to be found.

These micro-details remind us that films are collaborative works, often containing unintended moments that become meaningful through audience interpretation. The whisper may have been an accident, a deliberate choice, or something in between—but its existence invites us to look closer, listen harder, and engage more deeply with the media we love.

Conclusion

The whispered "Myrna" in The Neverending Story stands as a testament to the magic of cinema—how a single, almost inaudible moment can spark decades of discussion, analysis, and wonder. Whether intentional or accidental, it represents the kind of detail that transforms a casual viewing into an ongoing conversation between the film and its audience.

So the next time you find yourself in Fantasia alongside Bastian, listen carefully when he approaches the Empress. In that brief, fleeting moment, a child names a goddess—and in doing so, reminds us all that stories grow richer the more we return to them.