What is Darth Vader's real name in the "Star Wars" saga?

Darth Vader's real name in the "Star Wars" saga is Anakin Skywalker.

Anakin begins the saga as a gifted child from Tatooine who becomes a Jedi apprentice under Obi-Wan Kenobi. He is identified as the prophesied Chosen One, believed destined to bring balance to the Force. His fear of losing those he loves, especially Padmé Amidala, gradually makes him vulnerable to Chancellor Palpatine's manipulation.

Anakin falls to the dark side and becomes Darth Vader, a Sith Lord serving the newly formed Galactic Empire. The name change marks his transformation, but it does not erase his former identity. In the original trilogy, Luke Skywalker discovers that Vader is his father; later stories establish that Leia Organa is also Anakin's child.

A common mix-up is treating Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker as separate characters. They are the same person at different stages of his life. Owen Lars is Luke's uncle, while Obi-Wan is Anakin's former mentor.