Doctor Who: Shocking Reasons Why the Doctor’s Ship is Named Tardis Revealed!

As the new season of Doctor Who kicks off, marking a brand new beginning for the show, let’s revisit one of the biggest mysteries surrounding the iconic British program.

Broadcasting since 1963, the show features an alien from the planet Gallifrey, who can regularly change his appearance (and hence actor).

Perfect camouflage in 1963, but not in 2024!

Accompanied on his adventures by companions (more often than not female), the Doctor owns a spaceship named the Tardis. This device, described as “bigger on the inside than the outside”, takes the form of a blue police box.

In 1963, this form provided the perfect camouflage, given the abundance of such phone booths in British streets. However, their disappearance has not led to a change in the show, as the Tardis’ appearance has become emblematic – if not inseparable – from the success of Doctor Who.

What does Tardis mean?

But what does the name Tardis actually mean? The answer is straightforward, as the name of the spaceship is actually an acronym for Time And Relative Dimension In Space, a phrase referring to the Doctor’s time and space travels in each episode of the series.

While it has never changed its name or external appearance, the interior of the Tardis has regularly undergone renovations to match the personality of the various actors portraying the Doctor.

Since 1963, fifteen different personalities have indeed lent their faces to the character, including Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education). Introduced during the special episodes celebrating the program’s sixtieth anniversary, he was given the keys to the Tardis to lead the brand new Doctor Who series, airing weekly on Disney+.

Check out the list of shows currently available on the platform!