An orphan is a child permanently bereaved of his or her parents, usually at a young age.

Being orphaned is a major theme on Smallville. Orphans often have a fear of abandonment and feelings of alienation. In contrast, the series emphasizes the importance of parenting in the development of a child.

Known Orphans

Main Characters

• Clark Kent (Kal-El) - Kal-El's biological parents (Jor-El and Lara-El) were both killed when Krypton exploded. However, Kal was adopted by the Kents (Jonathan Kent and Martha Kent) on Earth and renamed Clark.
  • Clark Luthor (Kal-El) - Kal-El's biological parents Jor-El and Lara-El were both killed when Krypton exploded. However, Kal was adopted by the Luthors (Lionel Luthor) on Earth-2 and renamed Clark.
• Earth-1 Oliver Queen/Earth-2 Oliver Queen - Oliver's parents (Robert Queen and Laura Queen) were killed by Earth-1 Lionel Luthor/Earth-2 Lionel Luthor.
• Lana Lang - Lana's mom and legal father were killed by the 1989 meteor shower.
• Davis Bloome - Davis' "parents" (General Zod and Faora) were both trapped in the Phantom Zone, and Davis grew up alone on Earth.
• Tess Mercer (Lutessa Lena Luthor) - Tess' biological parents (Lionel Luthor and Pamela Jenkins) both died. Before this, they had sent Tess to an orphanage run by Granny Goodness.

Minor Characters

• Cyrus Krupp - A metahuman with the ability to Heal others; his parents were killed in the 1989 meteor shower.
• Evan Gallagher - A metahuman baby who aged very quickly. His parents died around the time of his birth, and Clark and Lana raised him.
• Ryan James - A telepathic child whose mom died and stepfather re-married. His aunt served as his guardian, and he felt very close to Clark and Martha Kent.

Notes

• Orphans on Smallville are often adopted. Clark was adopted by the Kent family, while Lana was adopted by her Aunt Nell.