Five Fast Facts About Arya Stark on Game of Thrones

Chances are if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you love Arya Stark. Not only is she one of the fiercest women on the show, but she’s also one of the fiercest characters, period. Arya’s not afraid to stand up for herself or protect herself if the need arises.

Because of Arya’s strong personality and tenacity, it’s easy to see why most fans root for her so much. Here are five fast facts about the youngest Stark daughter.

1. Family Name
Arya is named after her father Ned Stark’s grandmother, Arya Flint, who lived in the northern mountains. Even as a young girl, she showed her rebellious streak and did all she could to be taken seriously by her father and brothers, wanting nothing to do with what interested her sister, Sansa.

2. Puppy Love
Remember those adorable dire wolves?! Well, Arya decided to name her little puppy Nymeria after a woman who lived 1,000 years ago, sailed with 10,000 ships, and ruled Dorne. Arya’s always loved strong women!

3. Like Aunt, Like Niece
Arya’s father, Ned, reveals his youngest daughter reminds him a lot of his sister, Lyanna Stark, who died before the show began. But, in the books, Arya is said to look the most like her father out of all the Stark children.

4. MIA
After her father was beheaded, Arya goes missing for much of the series before she finally returns to Winterfell in Season 7. Because she’s gone for so long, most of her family believed she had been killed.

5. Needle
Who could ever forget about needle?! For those who don’t remember, Arya was given her sword — AKA “needle” — during the first season by her brother, Jon Snow. Jon gives it to her because of their special bond before he heads off to join the Night’s Watch.