Attack on Titan has many plot threads that stirred speculation among fans. One of these was the mystery surrounding Historia Reiss’s pregnancy, leading to numerous fan theories and debates. For years, one theory stood out in comparison to others and hung over the fandom like a shadow. Many fans came to the conclusion that Eren Yeager himself secretly fathered Historia’s child.

Historia’s decision to have a child did not stem from love or personal desire, but from a cold political necessity. With the weight of having royal blood and the future of Eldia being ed on to her, the ruling government wanted Historia to inherit the Beast Titan. To avoid this, Historia decided to bear a child in order to delay their plans and prolong her lifespan. The identity of the father was deliberately vague and cloaked in ambiguity until recently.

Fans Have Long Speculated Who the Father of Historia’s Child Was

Eren Yeager Was Widely Considered a Likely Possibility

From the moment Historia’s pregnancy was revealed, fans zeroed in on Eren as the likely father. The timing lined up suspiciously well with his final visit to her on the farm. Paired with how their conversation was framed, out of earshot, only deepened the mystery. Adding fuel to the theory is the fact that Historia was one of the few people Eren confided in during his descent into extremism. Some fans believe that he saw Historia as a kindred spirit. Considering the series is known for its foreshadowing and complexity, a secret act of rebellion between the two seemed possible.

Beyond speculation, the Eren theory offered narrative symmetry. In a way, Historia’s child could be seen as a symbolic continuation of Eren’s legacy or even as a final act of defiance against the world that tried to control them both. The idea neatly fitted into the story’s broader themes and offered closure to the bond that had been forged between them since Season 3. The theory gained legitimacy in fan discussions even without confirmation, because it made sense. It was either that or the alternative of having a frustratingly underexplained plot point.

It Has Officially Been Confirmed That Eren Is Not the Father

The Father of Historia’s Child Does Not Come With a Dramatic Revelation

The mystery was finally put to rest in the official Attack on Titan guidebook, where series creator Hajime Isayama clarified that Eren Yeager is not the father of Historia’s child. Instead, the father is a nameless childhood “friend” who worked at the orphanage. This revelation is far from the dramatic twist that fans expected and crushed years of fan speculation. The child was not the result of a secret tryst, but rather another calculated decision in a world molded by sacrifice and survival.

The reveal of who fathered Historia’s child strips away all the romanticism fans once clung to.

However, the father's identity does bring a sharp sting with it. While he is stated to be a “friend” in the guidebook, fans know that he bullied Historia when they were younger and even threw rocks at her. The fact that she ends up bearing his child, mainly for political purposes, is a tragic addition to her already grim arc in Attack on Titan. That said, Historia still maintains her agency, even if the decision was born from necessity, because she effectively prolonged her lifespan without being forced to live on the run.

The reveal of who fathered Historia’s child strips away all the romanticism fans once clung to. However, in deciding to have a child, Historia takes back whatever agency she can in their harsh world. Despite having little control, Historia effectively prevented the Paradis military from forcing her to inherit Zeke's Beast Titan. Had she taken an alternate route, Attack on Titan would have taken a very different turn.