Eleven

Lore & Background

Born Jane Ives on June 7, 1971, Eleven is the daughter of Teresa "Terry" Ives, who was a test subject in MKUltra under Dr. Martin Brenner. Terry did not know she was pregnant with her and her boyfriend Andrew Rich's baby while experiments took place. Dr. Brenner had Andrew expelled from college, making him eligible for the draft; Andrew died fighting in the Vietnam War before learning he was going to be a father. Dr. Brenner covered up Eleven's kidnapping by making it look like Terry miscarried, and took Eleven to Hawkins National Laboratory. Terry stormed Hawkins Lab in 1974 to get her child back, finding Eleven and Kali (008) in the Rainbow Room, but was captured and given electroshock therapy until she experienced severe brain damage. Eleven appears to have been born a psychic with notable telekinetic and extrasensory abilities. When she uses these abilities to a significant degree, she becomes temporarily weakened and her nose bleeds. In a sensory deprivation tank, she can use remote viewing to access other dimensions. She can also open and close portals to a parallel dimension called the Upside Down.

In Their Own Story

In the first season, Eleven escapes from Hawkins National Laboratory wearing only her hospital gown. She attempts to steal food from a local restaurant; the owner Benny takes pity on her and calls social services, but the responding social worker is an agent from Hawkins Laboratory who kills Benny. Eleven flees and is encountered by Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson, and Lucas Sinclair, who are looking for their missing friend Will Byers. The boys learn her name is Eleven from a "011" tattoo on her left forearm. Mike calls her "El" and lets her live in his basement. Eleven helps locate Will, determining he is trapped in the Upside Down being hunted by a creature called the "Demogorgon". She later steals Eggo waffles from a grocery store. After Mike is forced to jump off a high cliff into a lake by bullies, Eleven returns and intervenes before Mike hits the water. The group creates a makeshift isolation tank with a pool and bags of salt to help Eleven access the Upside Down; she confirms Will is alive but says Barbara is "gone". Mike tells Eleven she can be part of his family, asks her to the school dance, and kisses her. Eleven later sacrifices herself to destroy the Demogorgon. One month later, Hopper leaves waffles in a concealed box in the woods. In season 2, Eleven wakes up in the Upside Down and escapes through a portal back to Hawkins Middle School. She finds the Eggos Hopper left and moves into a fortified cabin with him, where he forbids her to leave for almost a year. She gains better control over her powers, able to project her mind without a sensory deprivation tank. She runs away and hitchhikes to her mother's residence, meeting her aunt Becky and learning what happened to Terry. Eleven discovers she has a sister, Kali Prasad (008), who can cause visual hallucinations. Kali teaches Eleven to focus on her anger to get the most out of her powers. Eleven tracks down former Hawkins Lab employee Ray Carroll and begins to choke him in a rage but stops upon realizing he has two daughters. She returns to Hawkins and reunites with Mike and her friends.

Reader's Guide

Eleven is the emotional and supernatural core of the Stranger Things narrative. Her arc transforms from a feral, traumatized child into a complex young woman navigating high school, romance, and war against interdimensional entities. Initially defined by her inability to speak or trust, she gradually reclaims her agency, learning that true strength lies not just in telekinesis but in the bonds she forms with others.

Did You Know?

• Eleven was born on June 7, 1971, as Jane Ives.
• Her mother Terry was a test subject in MKUltra and did not know she was pregnant during the experiments.
• Dr. Brenner had Eleven's father Andrew Rich expelled from college, making him eligible for the draft; he died in the Vietnam War before learning he was going to be a father.
• Eleven has a "011" tattoo on her left forearm.
• Kali (008), Eleven's sister, can cause people to experience visual hallucinations.