Could Rhaegar’s First Son Aegon Possibly Have Died as to Why Jon Was Named Aegon?

The name Aegon holds a significant place in the intricate history of the Targaryen family in Westeros. Beyond being a name, it symbolizes more—a legacy of success, prophecy, and sometimes, tragedy. The naming of children Aegon has always carried a weight of expectation among the Targaryens.

The Significance of the Name Aegon

Aegon is not merely a name for the Targaryens; it is an aspiration. The name is bestowed upon those deemed to have immense potential within the family. Historically, those named Aegon have been either among the finest members or the worst. The name Aegon is so revered that other houses are not allowed to name their children this name. The Freys' actions in naming an Aegon have been universally condemned, even by those who opposed the Targaryens during Robert's Rebellion.

The Naming of Rhaegar’s Sons

Rhaegar Targaryen's choice of name for his children carried a deeper significance. When he named his first son with Elia Martell, the name Aegon was selected in the belief that this child was the ‘Prince Who Would Be King,’ a figure of prophecy that was said to be a descendant of Aerys II and Rhaella, Rhaegar’s mother and Elia’s mother. Rhaegar later named his second son with Lyanna Stark, Aegon, believing that this half-Stark, half-Targaryen child, a metaphorical child of ice and fire, was also the prophesied ‘Prince Who Would Be King’.

These actions underscore Rhaegar's unwavering faith in the prophecies and his vision for his family's legacy. However, the naming of Jon as Aegon by Lyanna Stark adds an interesting layer of personal and ancestral reverence. If Lyanna named Jon as Aegon, it is more likely that she did so to honor the memory of Rhaegar’s first son, who was tragically murdered by Gregor Clegane during the Sack of King's Landing.

The question remains: could news of Rhaenys and Aegon's deaths have reached the Tower of Joy or Dorne by the time Ned and his companions arrived? Considering that enough time had passed for the Kingsguard to know of Jaime Lannister's betrayal, it is highly likely that the location was not isolated enough to prevent such news from reaching them. This would have undoubtedly influenced the political and emotional climate at the Tower of Joy.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Rhaenys and Aegon, their tragic fates added an air of legend and longing to the name Aegon, further cementing its significance within the Targaryen family and beyond.