When I first started playing League of Legends, Soraka was one of the champions that stood out to me.
She isn’t a flashy fighter or someone who jumps into battles with big explosions. Instead, she’s a calm and steady support champion, always there to heal and keep her teammates safe.
That’s what makes her special in the game: she’s more about helping others than chasing kills.
But what really caught my attention was her funny nickname: “Banana.” At first, I didn’t understand it.
Why would anyone call a celestial healer with star-themed powers a “banana”?
In this blog, I’ll talk about where the banana nickname came from, why it stuck around for so many years, and how it became a meme that’s still alive in the LoL community today.
Who Is Soraka in League of Legends?
Soraka is one of the oldest support champions in League of Legends and is known for her role as a healer.
Instead of focusing on damage, her main purpose is to keep her teammates alive during fights.
She is often chosen by players who want to provide safety and healing rather than lead the attack.
Her abilities are built around helping others.
Soraka can restore health to her teammates, silence enemies to stop their abilities, and even use her ultimate ability to heal the entire team at once, no matter where they are on the map.
This makes her a strong choice in team battles, especially when games last longer and healing becomes more important.
Soraka’s story goes beyond Warwick and Zaun’s curse. Learn the meaning of her horns and hooves in Why Soraka Has Horns and Hooves in Lore.
The Origins of the Banana Nickname
Soraka’s well-known nickname didn’t come from her healing or support role but from her basic attack animation.
Unlike most champions, her auto attack launches a glowing yellow projectile that looks both long and slightly curved, instantly catching players’ attention.
The unusual design made it easy for the community to compare the attack to tossing a banana. Early players joked that Soraka wasn’t firing magic but “throwing bananas,” a description that felt both funny and fitting.
Because the image was so clear, the nickname spread quickly in matches and on forums worldwide.
Over time, “Banana Soraka” became one of the game’s most recognized nicknames, highlighting how a simple visual detail turned into lasting community humor.
Meme Roots and Player Culture
The “banana” joke about Soraka didn’t stay small for long. As League of Legends expanded, players carried the nickname across community forums, in-game chats, and streaming platforms.
What started as a casual observation quickly became a recognizable part of how players described her.
On early boards and Reddit threads, fans shared lighthearted posts comparing her glowing yellow attack to a tossed banana.
Streamers and YouTubers liked the nickname, often joking about it during matches or commentary.
This helped introduce the meme to newer players who might not have noticed the detail on their own.
Over time, artists and editors amplified the humor with fan art and memes showing Soraka literally hurling bananas.
The nickname became a playful badge of recognition, tied to shared community humor that still lingers today.
Riot’s Response to the Banana Meme
The official response from Riot Games to the “Banana Soraka” nickname came through the release of the Order of the Banana Soraka skin.
This playful cosmetic brought the community’s inside joke that her basic attack looked like a tossed banana.
Instead of ignoring the meme, Riot leaned into it with a skin that featured banana-themed attack particles and a fun, light-hearted visual style.
Rather than adding serious lore or changing Soraka’s story, Riot highlighted the humor behind the meme.
The skin design included casual beachwear and cheeky references to pop culture, such as the iconic Chiquita Banana lady. These choices kept the focus on fun and charm instead of backstory.
In the end, Riot celebrated the community’s creativity by turning the joke into an official skin. It gave fans a lighthearted nod, legitimizing the meme while keeping Soraka’s core identity intact.
Banana Soraka in Modern League
The banana nickname is still part of League of Legends today. Even as the game changes, the joke continues to show up in matches and community spaces.
- Players still use the term “Banana Soraka” in games and online chats.
- The nickname adds a funny touch to her calm and healing role.
- New players often hear it through jokes, memes, or other players.
- The auto attack still looks like a banana, so the joke is easy to understand.
- Community humor helps the nickname spread without needing long explanations.
- Streamers and YouTubers often call her “Banana Soraka” in their videos.
- Fan art and edits show Soraka holding or throwing bananas instead of magic.
- Memes shared on Reddit and other platforms keep the nickname alive.
In many ways, “Banana Soraka” has become more than just a nickname; it’s a playful tradition, a community in-joke that keeps her memorable in every era of the game.
Conclusion
When I think about Soraka, it’s impossible not to think about the banana meme.
What started as a small joke about her glowing yellow attack has turned into something that players have remembered for years.
The nickname stuck because it was funny, clear, and fit her in a way that no one expected.
Now, whenever someone mentions Soraka, the idea of her “throwing bananas” is always close behind.
For me, “Banana Soraka” is a perfect example of how humor can make a champion stand out. In the end, she will always be remembered for her famous banana throw.
Want the full story of Warwick’s curse and Soraka’s role? Read more in Did Soraka Turn Warwick? The Backstory.
