[ Models | Lore | Sources | Inspiration ]
With a rich background stretching back decades in time, the various Warhammer games contain a vast array of names (of people, places, items, and so on). Many of these names are original, but some happen to have a meaning in the real world, as obscure terms, foreign words, or cultural references. This page lists some of these underlying etymologies for your edification. Note that some of these are best guesses (speculative fan theory) rather than confirmed derivations.
Where a name is followed by the symbol ¹, if you hover over or click on that symbol you will see when that name was first mentioned in a publication.
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Abaddon the Despoiler | Abaddon, a place of destruction and archangel of the abyss from the Bible. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine SonsofHorus BlackLegion] |
| Aberrant ¹ | "Aberrant", abnormal or immoral. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Abhorrant | Blend of "abhorrent" (loathsome) and "aberrant" (abnormal). [AoS Death FlesheaterCourts] |
| Abominant ¹ | Latin abominant, "they detest". [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Abscessas ¹ | "Abscess", infected cavity + "ass", buttocks. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Acastus | Acastus, a hero (one of the Argonauts) in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Acheron | Acheron, a river in Greece. The river of woe in Greek mythology, that flows in the underworld. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Achilles ¹ | Achilles, a hero (taking part in the Trojan War) in Greek mythology. [WH40k Genestealer Vehicle] |
| Achillus | Achilles, a hero (taking part in the Trojan War) in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| Acklan'd | See: Mad Mullah Acklan'd. [WHFB Human] |
| Acolyte | "Acolyte", an assistant or follower. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Genestealer] |
| Actuarius | Latin actuarius, "record-keeper". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Acula ¹ | Noting that an Explorator Enginseer in today's terms would have a PhD, Dr. Acula is a reference to Dracula (1897), a novel by Bram Stoker. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Adamantium | Adamantium, a fictional super-hard alloy in various uses dating at least as far back as 1912. [WH40k Imperial Material] |
| Adepta Sororitas | Latin adepta, "having obtained" + sororitas, "sisterhood". [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Adeptus Arbites ¹ | Latin adeptus, "having obtained" + arbiter, "arbitrator". [WH40k Imperial] |
| Adeptus Astartes | Latin adeptus, "having obtained" + Astarte, goddess of war in Canaanite and Phoenician mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Adeptus Astra Telepathica ¹ | Latin adeptus, "having obtained" + astra, "stars" + "telepathic", able to communicate psychically. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Adeptus Astronomica ¹ | Latin adeptus, "having obtained" + astronomica, "astronomical". [WH40k Imperial] |
| Adeptus Custodes ¹ | Latin adeptus, "having obtained" + custodes, "guardians". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Adeptus Mechanicus ¹ | Latin adeptus, "having obtained" + mechanicus, "engineer". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Administratum ¹ | Latin administratum, "served". [WH40k Imperial] |
| Aeldari | Trademarkable variation of Eldar. [WH40k Eldar] |
| Aelf | Trademarkable variation of Elf. [AoS Order Aelf] |
| Aetaos'rau'keres | Ancient Greek ἀετός, "eagle" + Ra, god of the Sun in Egyptian mythology + Keres, winged death spirits in Greek Mythology, grandchildren of Chaos. [WH40k Chaos Tzeentch Daemon DaemonLord] |
| Aether-Khemist | Aether, a postulated element that filled space + "chemist", a practitioner of chemistry. [AoS Order Duardin Kharadron] |
| Aggradon | "Aggro", aggravation or aggression + Ancient Greek ὀδών, "tooth". [AoS Order Seraphon] |
| Aggressor | "Aggressor", one who attacks first. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Ahriman | Ahriman, the personification of evil in Zoroastrianism. [WH40k Chaos Tzeentch SpaceMarine ThousandSons] |
| Ahzek Ahriman | See Ahriman. [WH40k Chaos Tzeentch SpaceMarine ThousandSons] |
| Aiakos | Aeacus, king of Aegina in Greek mythology, and one of the judges of the underworld alongside Minos. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Minotaurs] |
| Akhelian | Achelous, god of the longest river in Greece in Greek mythology. [AoS Order Aelf Idoneth] |
| Akhorne | Blend of "acorn" (oak fruit) and Khorne. First appeared as Wade Pryce's glove puppet on Warhammer TV, 11 Apr 2019, and was named by Raph. [BloodBowl] |
| Alarielle | See: Ariel. [WHFB Elf HighElf AoS Order Aelf Sylvaneth God] |
| Albi Schutz ¹ | Latin albi, "of white" + German Schutz, "protection". [WHFB Human] |
| Allopex | Ancient Greek ἀλώπηξ, "fox". Used for the shark-like Allopex due to the genus of the thresher shark (also known as fox shark), Alopias. [AoS Order Aelf Idoneth] |
| Alpha Primus | Ancient Greek ἄλφα, "alpha", the first letter of the Greek Alphabet + Latin primus, "first". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Alpharius | Ancient Greek ἄλφα, "alpha", the first letter of the Greek Alphabet. See also: Omegon. [WH40k Chaos Primarch AlphaLegion] |
| Alphus ¹ | Ancient Greek ἄλφα, "alpha", the first letter of the Greek Alphabet, used also to represent the first in number. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Amalia Novena | Amalia, a name + novena, a nine-day period of devotional praying in Christian tradition. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Amar Astarte | Arabic أَمْر, "command" + Astarte, goddess of war in Canaanite and Phoenician mythology. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Ambull ¹ | Based on umber hulks from the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. From umb(er h)ul(k) to umbul to ambull, by blending with "bull" (a male bovine). [WH40k] |
| Ambulon ¹ | Latin ambulo, "I walk". [WH40k SegmentumObscurus CalixisSector ScintillaSystem City] |
| Amex ¹ | American Express (founded 1850), a payment card company. [WHFB Elf SeaElf God] |
| Androdinus | See: Decimus Androdinus Felix. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Anfingrimm | See: Scyla Anfingrimm. [WHFB Norscan AoS BloodBowl Chaos Khorne ChaosSpawn] |
| Angelos | See: Gabriel Angelos. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodRavens] |
| An'ggrath the Unbound | "Angry", feeling hostility + "wrath", great anger. [WH40k Chaos Khorne Daemon DaemonLord] |
| Angron | Contraction of "angry one". [WH40k Chaos Khorne Daemon Primarch WorldEaters] |
| Annihilator | "Annihilator", one who completely destroys. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| An'sl ¹ | Bryan Ansell, one of the founders of Citadel Miniatures and designers of Warhammer Fantasy Battle. He was the managing director of Games Workshop from 1985 to 1991. See also: Mo'rcck, Phraz-Etar. [WH40k Chaos] |
| Antaro Chronus | Antares, one of the brightest stars in the night sky + Chronos, god of time in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Anton Zerbe ¹ | Anthony Zerbe (1936-), an actor whose work includes The Omega Man. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Antonio Epstein ¹ | Antonio, a character from The Merchant of Venice (c. 1596), a play by William Shakespeare + Epstein, a name. [WHFB Human] |
| Aqthracite | Blend of "aqsh" (Dark Tongue for red) and anthracite (a hard variety of coal). [AoS Material] |
| Aquila | Latin aquila, "eagle", and therefore used as the name of the standard carried by Roman legions. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Arachnarok Spider | Blend of Ancient Greek ἀράχνη ("spider") and Ragnarök (an apocalyptic event in Norse mythology) + spider. [AoS Destruction SpiderfangGrots] |
| Arbites | See: Adeptus Arbites. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Archaeopter Fusilave | Ancient Greek ἀρχαῖον, "ancient" + πτερόν, "wing" + "fusillade" (simultaneous gunfire) / "fuselage" (aircraft body). [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Archaeopter Stratoraptor | Ancient Greek ἀρχαῖον, "ancient" + πτερόν, "wing" + "strato-" as in stratosphere (but note also στρατός, "army") + Latin raptor, "thief" (used in English to refer to a bird of prey). [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Archaeopter Transvector | Ancient Greek ἀρχαῖον, "ancient" + πτερόν, "wing" + Latin trans, "across" + vector, "carrier". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Archaon | Blend of "arch" (high) + "chaos". Also Ancient Greek ἀρχαῖον, "primeval". [WHFB Human AoS Chaos] |
| Archon | "Archon", a ruler. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Archsybarite | "Arch", high + "sybarite", a person devoted to pleasure. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Arcus | Latin arcus, "bow". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Ares | Ares, god of war in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| Argentius ¹ | Latin argenteus, "silvery". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SilverSkulls] |
| Ariel | Ariel, a character from The Tempest (1611), a play by William Shakespeare. [WHFB Elf WoodElf] |
| Arka Zargul ¹ | Arthur Scargill (1938-), a British trade unionist that led the 1984-85 UK miners' strike. See also: Een McWrecker. [WHFB Dwarf] |
| Arkanaut | Blend of "arcane" (mysterious) and Argonauts, a group of heroes in Greek mythology. [AoS Order Duardin Kharadron] |
| Ark-Ashtyn ¹ | Clark Ashton Smith (1893-1961), an author who was one of the "big three" of Weird Tales. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Arkhan Land | Blend of Arkham (a fictional city created by H. P. Lovecraft) and "arcane" (mysterious) + "Land", back-named from vehicles Land Raider and Land Speeder. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Arkhan the Black | Blend of Arkham (a fictional city created by H. P. Lovecraft) and "arcane" (mysterious). [WHFB AoS Death OssiarchBonereapers Mortarch] |
| Armageddon | Armageddon, the location of the battle for the end times from the Bible. [WH40k SegmentumSolar ArmageddonSector System] |
| Armiger Helverin | Latin armiger, "carrying weapons or armour" + German Helferin, "helper". [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Armiger Warglaive | Latin armiger, "carrying weapons or armour" + "war", armed conflict + "glaive", large-bladed polearm. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Artemis | Artemis, goddess of the hunt in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition SpaceMarine Mortifactors Deathwatch] |
| Arvus | Latin arvus, "arable". [WH40k Imperial Vehicle] |
| Asdrubael Vect ¹ | Hannibal Lecter, a character from novels including The Silence of the Lambs (1988) by Thomas Harris. Hasdrubal (245-207 BC) was the brother of Carthaginian general Hannibal, so we have: Hannibal Lecter to Hasdrubal Vector to Asdrubael Vect. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar KabaloftheBlackHeart] |
| Asmodai | Asmodeus, a prince of demons in Abrahamic religions. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Astarte | See: Amar Astarte. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Astartes | See: Adeptus Astartes, Legiones Astartes. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Asterion Moloc | Asterion, king of Crete and foster-father of Minos in Greek mythology + Moloch, a biblical term that may refer to sacrifice or a Canaanite god, and is usually portrayed as a bull-headed man. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Minotaurs] |
| Astorath | Ashtoreth, another name for Astarte, goddess of war in Canaanite and Phoenician mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodAngels] |
| Astra Militarum | Latin astra, "stars" + militarium, "of soldiers". "Soldiers of the stars" should be written as astrorum militares in Latin. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard] |
| Astraeus | Astraeus, god of the dusk in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Astreia Solbright | Asteria, Titan of the stars in Greek mythology + Latin sol, "sun" + "bright", emitting or reflecting much light. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Astrolith | Ancient Greek ἄστρον, "celestial body" + λίθος, "stone". [AoS Order Seraphon] |
| Atalan Jackals ¹ | Turkish atlı, "horseman" (a possible derivation of the name Attila) + jackal. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Atomic | "Atomic", relating to atoms. But this is a specific reference to the atomics (nuclear weapons) of Dune (1965), a novel by Frank Herbert. [WH40k Imperial Weapon] |
| Auralan | Latin aureus, "golden". [AoS Order Aelf Lumineth] |
| Auric | "Auric", an ion of gold. [AoS Order Duardin Fyreslayer] |
| Auspex | Latin auspex, "augur" (one who tells the future through divining the behaviour of birds). [WH40k Imperial] |
| Autarch | "Autarch", a despotic ruler. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld] |
| Avalenor | Avalon, a legendary island in Arthurian mythology. [AoS Order Aelf Lumineth] |
| Ave Dominus Nox | Latin ave, "hail" + dominus, "lord", + nox "night". This gives the Dog Latin meaning, "hail, Night Lord". Correct Latin would be ave domine noctis ("lord" needs to be in the vocative when being addressed directly, and "night" needs to be in the genitive to give "lord of the night" or Night Lord). When addressing multiple Night Lords, one should say ave domini noctis. [WH40k Chaos NightLords] |
| Avelorn | Avalon, a legendary island in Arthurian mythology. [WHFB Elf HighElf] |
| Avengorii | Blend of "avenger" (one who takes vengeance) and "gory" (covered in blood). [AoS Death SoulblightGravelords Vampire] |
| Aventis Firestrike | Latin aventis, "of the craving" + "fire" + "strike", hit. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Aygar Mistletaine ¹ | Agar, a jelly used in science experiments + mistletoe, a plant important in Druidic mythology. [WHFB Human Norscan] |
| Azrael | Azrael, an angel of death in Abrahamic religions. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Baal | Baʿal, "lord", an honorific applied to deities in Levantine mythology. [WH40k SegmentumUltima System BloodAngels] |
| Bahb-Elonn ¹ | Babylon, with the floating gardens of Bahb-Elonn referring to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. [WHFB] |
| Balistus | Latin balista, alternative form of ballista. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Ballistarius | See: Ironstrider Ballistarius. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Baneblade | "Bane", cause of misery + "blade", sharp cutting edge. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Banehammer | "Bane", cause of misery + "hammer", a tool for striking. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Banesword | "Bane", cause of misery + "sword", long-bladed hand weapon. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Banquo ¹ | Banquo, a character from Macbeth (published 1623), a play by William Shakespeare. See also: McDeath. [WHFB Human] |
| Barbarus ¹ | Latin barbarus, "uncivilised". [WH40k SegmentumTempestus System] |
| Barbgaunt | Blend of "barb" (a backwards-pointing spike) and Hormagaunt. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Barrachus ¹ | B. A. Baracus, a character from The A-Team TV series (first aired in 1983). [WHFB Human] |
| Basilisk | Basilisk, a monster in European mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Bastian Carthalos | "Bastion", a stronghold + Carthalo, an officer in Hannibal's army. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Bastiladon | French bastille, "fortress" + Ancient Greek ὀδών, "tooth". [AoS Order Seraphon] |
| Behemat | Blend of Behemoth (a monster from the Book of Job in the Bible) and Tiamat (a goddess of the sea in Mesopotamian mythology). [AoS Destruction Gargant] |
| Behemoth ¹ | Behemoth, a monster from the Book of Job in the Bible. [WH40k Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Be'lakor | "Blacker", more black. [WHFB AoS WH40k Chaos Daemon DaemonPrince] |
| Belial | Belial, a personification of the devil from the Bible. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Belisarius Cawl | Belisarius (c. 500-565), a military commander of the Byzantine Empire + "cawl", a variant spelling of "caul", the membrane over a baby's head (a reference to Nikolai Tolstoy's 1988 novel The Coming of the King, in which Merlin has a caul birth and is able to speak as soon as he is born). [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Belladamma Volga | Italian bella, "beautiful" + dama, "lady" + Volga, a river in Russa. [AoS Death SoulblightGravelords Vampire] |
| Beltayn | See: Dughan Beltayn. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Tanith] |
| Bestigor | "Beast", a wild animal + Gor. [AoS Chaos Beastman] |
| Bethor | One of the seven Olympian spirits referred to in Renaissance magical texts. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Bibulus ¹ | See: Clof Bibulus. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Biel-Tan | Beltane, a Gaelic seasonal festival. See also: Lugganath, Saim-Hann, Yme-Loc. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld] |
| Bile | See: Fabius Bile. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine EmperorsChildren] |
| Binharic | "Binaric", split into binary components, in a reference to binary code used by computers. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Biologus Putrifier | New Latin biologus, "biologist" + "putrefy", decompose or become gangrenous. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Biophagus ¹ | "Biophage", something that feeds on other living organisms. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Biovore ¹ | "Bio-", relating to life + "-vore", an organism that devours this. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Birmingham ¹ | Birmingham, a city in England. [WH40k SegmentumTempestus System] |
| Bjorn the Fell-Handed | Old Norse bjǫrn, "bear". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| Blackheart | See: Huron Blackheart. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine RedCorsairs] |
| Blackmane | See: Ragnar Blackmane. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| Blackstar | See: Corvus Blackstar. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition SpaceMarine Deathwatch Vehicle] |
| Blank ¹ | See: Johan Blank. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Blightbringer | See: Noxious Blightbringer. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Blight-hauler | See: Myphitic Blight-hauler. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard Vehicle] |
| Blightlord Terminator | "Blight", cause of spoiling + "lord", master of a household + Terminator. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Blightspawn | See: Foul Blightspawn. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Bloab Rotspawned | Blend of "bloat" (distend) and "blob" (shapeless mass) + "rot", decay, + "spawned", given birth to. [WHFB AoS Chaos Nurgle] |
| Bloat-drone | See: Foetid Bloat-drone. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard Vehicle] |
| Bloodcrusher | "Blood", vital fluid permeating a body + "crusher", one who pulverises. [AoS WH40k Chaos Khorne Daemon LesserDaemon] |
| Bloodletter | "Bloodletter", one who removes blood. [WHFB AoS BloodBowl WH40k Chaos Khorne Daemon LesserDaemon] |
| Bloodmaster | "Blood", vital fluid permeating a body + "master", person in control. [AoS WH40k Chaos Khorne Daemon Herald] |
| Bloodwrath | See: Skarr Bloodwrath. [AoS Chaos Khorne] |
| Blothar ¹ | "Bloat", distend. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Boa Kon'ssstriktr | Boa constrictor, a species of large snake. [BloodBowl] |
| Bogel ¹ | See: Corabell Bogel, Hunk Bogel, John-Boy Bogel, Lorabeth Bogel, Willy Bogel. [WHFB Human] |
| Bonebreaka | "Bone", component of a skeleton + "breaker", one that fractures. [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Book of Five Runes ¹ | The Book of Five Rings (1645), a book by Miyamoto Musashi. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Boreas | Boreas, god of the north wind, one of the Anemoi in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Borgen Crassus | Danish borgen, "the castle" + Marcus Licinius Crassus (115-53 BC), a Roman general. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard] |
| Bovigor | Latin bovinus, "of cattle" + Gor. [WHFB Chaos Beastman] |
| Branchwych | "Branch", tree limb + "witch", female magician. [AoS Order Aelf Sylvaneth] |
| Brôkhyr | Brokkr, a dwarf blacksmith in Norse mythology. See also: Thunderkyn. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Broodlord ¹ | "Brood", offspring + "lord", master of a household. [WH40k Tyranid Genestealer] |
| Brutalis | Medieval Latin brutalis ("savage"), from Latin brutus, ("dull"). [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Bryce 'the Slice' Cambuel | Bruce Campbell, an actor whose roles include the chainsaw-wielding Ash in the Evil Dead franchise. [BloodBowl] |
| Bubblechukka ¹ | "Bubble", a liquid sphere containing a gas + "chucker", one that throws. Note that it pre-dates the pointer machine from the computer game Puzzle Bobble (1994). [WH40k Ork Weapon] |
| Bullgor | "Bull", a male bovine + Gor. [AoS Chaos Beastman] |
| Bullgryn | "Bull", a male bovine + Ogryn. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Abhuman] |
| Cain | See: Ciaphas Cain. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Commissar] |
| Calaco ¹ | See: Grimwald Calaco. [WHFB Human] |
| Caladius | Latin calidius, "more fierce". [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| Calas Typhon | Calas from "callous", heartless. See also: Typhon, Typhus. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Caliban | Caliban, a character from The Tempest (1611), a play by William Shakespeare. He is half human and half monster. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus System] |
| Calixis ¹ | "Calyx", a cup-like structure in biology. The Calixis Sector is dubbed a "chalice of corruption". [WH40k SegmentumObscurus Sector] |
| Callidus | Latin callidus, "cunning". [WH40k Imperial Assassin] |
| Cambuel | See: Bryce 'the Slice' Cambuel. [BloodBowl] |
| Cameleoline ¹ | Chameleon + "-ine", suffix denoting relation to. [WH40k Imperial Material] |
| Canid | "Canid", a member of the dog family. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Canis Rex | Latin canis, "dog", + rex, "king". [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Canis Wolfborn | Latin canis, "dog" + wolf + "born", having come into being. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| Canoptek ¹ | Blend of "Canopic" (as in Canopic jar, used to store organs extracted during mummification) and "tech" (technology). [WH40k Necron] |
| Caprigor | Latin caprinus, "of goats" + Gor. [WHFB Chaos Beastman] |
| Carnifex ¹ | Latin carnifex, "butcher". [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Carnodon | Latin carnis, "meat" (as per Carnosauria) + Ancient Greek ὀδών, "tooth". [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Carthalos | See: Bastian Carthalos. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Cassilda Cognos | Cassilda, a character from The King in Yellow (1895), a book of short stories by Robert W. Chambers + Latin cognosco, "I know". [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Cassius | Cassius, a Roman family name notably of the leader of Julius Caesar's assassination, and of a usurper Roman Emperor. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Castellan | Castellan, the governor of a castle. [WH40k Imperial Knight SpaceMarine BlackTemplars AdeptusCustodes] |
| Castigator | "Castigator", one who punishes. [AoS Order StormcastEternal WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| Catachan | Possibly from catechin, a chemical derived from an Asian tree that is used in herbal remedies and found in tea and other foods. [WH40k SegmentumUltima System ImperialGuard] |
| Cataphractii | Latin cataphractus, "wearing armour". See also: Terminator. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Armour] |
| Cato Sicarius | Cato the Younger (95-46 BC), a tenacious and incorruptible Roman senator + Latin sicarius, "assassin". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Cawl | See: Belisarius Cawl. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Cegorach | Scots Gaelic tè, "someone" + gòrach, "foolish". [WH40k Eldar God] |
| Celennar | Selene, goddess of the Moon in Greek mythology. [AoS Order Aelf Lumineth] |
| Celestian | "Celestian", heavenly. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Celestine | "Celestine", a heavenly being. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Celestite | Blend of "celestian" (heavenly) and "-ite" (suffix denoting a mineral). [AoS Order Seraphon Material] |
| Centigor | Blend of centaur (a half-human half-horse in Greek mythology) and Gor. [AoS Chaos Beastman] |
| Centurion | Centurion, a position in the Roman army. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Armour] |
| Ceramite | "Ceramic", hard inorganic and non-metal material + "-ite", suffix denoting a mineral. [WH40k Imperial Material] |
| Cerastus | Latin cerastes, "horned viper". [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Cerberus | Cerberus, a monstrous three-headed dog in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Chainsword ¹ | Blend of "chainsaw" (power tool with a moving chain of metal teeth) and "sword" (long-bladed hand weapon). [WH40k Imperial Eldar Weapon] |
| Chaney | See: Wilhelm Chaney. [BloodBowl] |
| Charles ¹ | Charles Edward Stuart (1720-1788), known as Bonnie Prince Charlie. Note that the character Prince Charles is at one point nicknamed "Boney Prince Charley" in the adventure. [WHFB Human] |
| Charybdis ¹ | Charybdis, a sea monster in Greek mythology. See also: Scylla. [WH40k Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Chemos | "Chemo-", relating to chemicals, from Ancient Greek χυμεία, "alchemy". [WH40k SegmentumUltima AquitaneSector System EmperorsChildren] |
| Cherubael | Cherub, a class of angel in Judaic mythology + Hebrew אל, "God" (used as a suffix in the names of angels). [WH40k Chaos Daemon] |
| Cherubim | Plural of cherub, a class of angel in Judaic mythology. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Chimera | Chimera, a monster in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Chogoris | Chogori, another name for the mountain K2. [WH40k SegmentumUltima YasanSector System WhiteScars] |
| Chronomancer | Ancient Greek χρόνος, "time" + "-mancer", practitioner of magic. [WH40k Necron] |
| Chronometron ¹ | "Chronometer", a device for measuring time. [WH40k Necron Weapon] |
| Chronus | See: Antaro Chronus. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Ciaphas Cain | Caiaphas, a Jewish high priest that plotted to kill Jesus + Cain, a character from the Bible who was the first murderer. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Commissar] |
| Cicatrix Maledictum | Latin cicatrix maledicta, "cursed scar". Note that cicatrix is a feminine noun, but maledictum is a neuter adjective, so the correct Latin is cicatrix maledicta. [WH40k] |
| Clamavus ¹ | Latin clamavi, "I shouted". [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Clof Bibulus ¹ | "Quaff", drink copiously + Latin bibulus, "fond of drinking". See also: Djinn Ntonnik, Rumman Koak. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Clousseau | See: Obiwan Sherlock Clousseau. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Cogitator | "Cogitator", one who thinks. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Cognos | See: Cassilda Cognos. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Colchis | Colchis, a land on the Black Sea's coast in present-day Georgia, home to the golden fleece in Greek mythology. [WH40k SegmentumPacificus KorianisSector System WordBearers] |
| Collossus ¹ | Ancient Greek κολοσσός, large statue. [WH40k Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Colm Corbec | Colm, a name from Irish colm, "dove" + bec de corbin, a type of polearm. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Tanith] |
| Commissar | Russian комиссар ("commissar"), a political education attaché to a military unit. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Commissar] |
| Commorragh | Gomorrah, a city of great wickedness from the Bible. See also: Shaa-Dom. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar City] |
| Concussor | "Concuss", to injure the brain through violent impact. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Constantin Valdor | "Constantin" as a name derives from Latin constans, "constant" + Old Norse valdr, "ruler". [WH40k Imperial Custodes] |
| Consul | Consul, a chief magistrate in Rome. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Contemptor | Latin contemptor, "one who despises". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Corabell Bogel ¹ | Corabeth, a character from The Waltons TV Series (first aired in 1972) + bogle, a spirit from Northumbrian and Scots mythology. See also: Lorabeth Bogel. [WHFB Human] |
| Corax | See: Corvus Corax. [WH40k Imperial Primarch RavenGuard] |
| Corbec | See: Colm Corbec. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Tanith] |
| Corbulo | Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo (7-67), a Roman general who faithfully committed suicide on Emperor Nero's order. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodAngels] |
| Coronus | Ancient Greek κορωνός, "curved". [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| Corpse-Rippa Vulcha | "Corpse", dead body + "ripper", one who tears + vulture. [AoS Destruction Kruleboyz] |
| Corpuscarii Electro-Priest | Latin corpus, "body" + cari, "of the beloved" + "electro-", relating to electricity + "priest", religious leader. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Corvus Blackstar ¹ | Latin corvus, "raven" + Blackstar, a bogus secret spaceplane reported on in 2006. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition SpaceMarine Deathwatch Vehicle] |
| Corvus Cabal | Latin corvus, "raven" + "cabal", a secret faction. [AoS Chaos] |
| Corvus Corax | Corvus corax is the scientific name for the common raven. [WH40k Imperial Primarch RavenGuard] |
| Coteaz | See: Torquemada Coteaz. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Crassus | See: Borgen Crassus. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Creed | See: Ursarkar Creed. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Cadian] |
| Crimson Duellist | "Crimson", deep red + "duellist", one who fights one-on-one. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Crimson King | In the Court of the Crimson King (1960), an album by King Crimson. See also: Magnus the Red. [WH40k Chaos Tzeentch Daemon Primarch ThousandSons] |
| Cronos | Cronus, the leader of the Titans in Greek Mythology. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Crusader | "Crusader", one who goes on a military expedition. [WH40k Imperial Knight Inquisition SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Cryptek ¹ | Blend of "crypt" (underground vault) + "tech" (technology). Also "cryptic", mysterious. [WH40k Necron] |
| Cthonia | "Chthonian", relating to the underworld. [WH40k SegmentumSolar System SonsofHorus] |
| Cthonian Beserk | "Chthonian", relating to the underworld + berserker, a Norse warrior that fights in a furious trance. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Culexus | Latin culex, "gnat". [WH40k Imperial Assassin] |
| Curze | See: Konrad Curze. [WH40k Chaos Primarch NightLords] |
| Custodes | See: Adeptus Custodes, Legio Custodes. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Custodian | "Custodian", one who takes care of something. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Cuu | See: Lijah Cuu. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Tanith] |
| Cyclops | One of the Cyclopes, a group of one-eyed giants in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Cygor | "Psi", psychic energy + Gor. [AoS Chaos Beastman] |
| Cypher | "Cipher", someone of no importance. [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Dactylis ¹ | Ancient Greek δάκτυλος, "finger". [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Daedelos Krata | Daedalus, a genius inventor in Greek mythology (who amongst other things designed the Minotaur's labyrinth) + Ancient Greek κραταιός, "mighty". [WH40k Imperial Minotaurs Starship] |
| Daemon | Ancient Greek δαίμων, a divine being or guardian spirit or departed soul, and later an evil spirit. [WHFB AoS WH40k Chaos Daemon] |
| Daemonette | Daemon + "-ette", female. [WHFB AoS BloodBowl WH40k Chaos Slaanesh Daemon LesserDaemon] |
| Daemonspew | See: Orghotts Daemonspew. [WHFB AoS Chaos Nurgle] |
| Dakkajet | "Dakka", an onomatopoeic term for heavy gunfire + "jet", an aeroplane using a jet engine. [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Damocles | Damocles (4th century BC), a courtier to Dionysius II of Syracuse. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Damocles Gulf | Damocles (4th century BC), a courtier to Dionysius II of Syracuse. [WH40k EasternFringe Tau] |
| Dante | Dante Alighieri (c. 1265-1321), a poet whose work includes the Divine Comedy. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodAngels] |
| Dark Angels ¹ | The Dark Angel (1893), a poem by Lionel Johnson. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Chapter] |
| Death Guard ¹ | The Death Guard (1939), a novel by Philip George Chadwick. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine Chapter] |
| Deathgaunt ¹ | Blend of "death" (the cessation of life) and Hormagaunt. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Deathshroud | "Death", the cessation of life + "shroud", a sheet for dressing the dead. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Deathstrike | "Death", the cessation of life + "strike", hit. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Decimator | "Decimator", a one who devastates. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Decimus Androdinus Felix | Latin decimus, "tenth" + Ancient Greek ἀνδρός, "of a man" + Ancient Greek δύναμις, "power" + Latin felix, "lucky". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Deeproot Strongbranch | "Deep", extending far down + "root", underground part of a plant + "strong", powerful + "branch", tree limb. [BloodBowl] |
| Deff Dread | "Death", the cessation of life + a clipping of Dreadnought. [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Deffkopta | "Death", the cessation of life + "copter", a clipping of helicopter. [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Defiler | "Defiler", one who desecrates. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Deimos | Deimos, god of dread in Greek mythology, and hence one of the moons of Mars. See also: Predator. [WH40k Imperial Chaos ImperialGuard SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Demigryph | French demi, "half" + gryphon (a monster in European mythology). [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Demiurg | Demiurge, the creator of the universe in Platonism. [WH40k Tau LeaguesofVotann] |
| Deredeo | Latin derideo, "I laugh at". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Desecrator | "Desecrator", one who violates sanctity. [WH40k Chaos Knight] |
| Desolator | "Desolator", one who lays waste. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Despoiler | "Despoiler", one who plunders. See also: Abaddon the Despoiler. [WH40k Chaos Knight] |
| Devastator | "Devastator", one who ruins a large area. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Dexcessa | Blend of Latin dexter (right) and "excess" (surpassing the limit). See also: Synessa. [AoS Chaos Slaanesh Daemon] |
| Dhripit the Grand Ulseer ¹ | "Drippy", having liquid exusing from + a blend of "ulcer" (open sore) and "seer" (one who divines the future). [WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Dialogus | Latin dialogus, "conversation". [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Dimachaeron | Dimachaerus, a Roman gladiator that fought with two swords. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Divisio Assassinorum | Latin divisio, "division" + "assassin", professional killer + Latin -orum, genitive masculine plural suffix. This gives the Dog Latin meaning, "division of assassins". Correct Latin would be divisio sicariorum. [WH40k Imperial Assassin] |
| Djinn Ntonnik ¹ | Gin and tonic, a popular cocktail. See also: Clof Bibulus, Rumman Koak. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Dogmata | "Dogmata", religious doctrines. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Dolmen Gate ¹ | Dolmen, a type of megalithic tomb dating to around 4000 to 3000 BCE. [WH40k Necron] |
| Dominatrix ¹ | Latin dominatrix, "female ruler". [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Dominion | Dominion, an angelic rank in Christian angelology. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Dominus | Latin dominus, "master". See also: Tech-Priest Dominus. [WH40k Imperial Knight AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Donalbane ¹ | Donalbain, a character from Macbeth (published 1623), a play by William Shakespeare. See also: McDeath. [WHFB Human] |
| Doomhammer | "Doom", terrible destiny + "hammer", a tool for striking. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Dorn | See: Rogal Dorn. [WH40k Imperial Primarch ImperialFists] |
| Dracoth | "Drake", a dragon. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Dragoon | See: Sydonian Dragoon. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Draigo | See: Kaldor Draigo. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition SpaceMarine GreyKnights] |
| Draik | See: Janus Draik. [WH40k Imperial RogueTrader] |
| D'Rais ¹ | Gilles de Rais (c. 1405-1440), a nobleman who became a serial killer. [WH40k Imperial ChartistCaptain] |
| Draxus | See: Kyria Draxus. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Dreadnought ¹ | Dreadnought, a heavily-armed battleship, named after the 1906 HMS Dreadnought of the Royal Navy. [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine] |
| Dribl | "Dribble", saliva trickling from the mouth. See also: Drull. [BloodBowl Seraphon] |
| Druchii | "Dark", ultimately from the Dökkálfar (dark elves) in Norse mythology. [WHFB Elf DarkElf] |
| Drukhari | Blend of Druchii and Aeldari. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Drull | "Drool", saliva trickling from the mouth. See also: Dribl. [BloodBowl Seraphon] |
| Drycha Hamadreth | Welsh drych, "mirror" + Hamadryad, a tree spirit in Greek mythology. [AoS Order Aelf Sylvaneth] |
| Duardin | Trademarkable variation of Dwarf. [AoS Order Duardin] |
| Dughan Beltayn | Dugan, an Irish surname + Beltane, a Gaelic seasonal festival. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Tanith] |
| Dunco ¹ | King Duncan, a character from Macbeth (published 1623), a play by William Shakespeare. See also: McDeath. [WHFB Human] |
| Dunecrawler | See: Onager Dunecrawler. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Durthu | Welsh dâr, "oak". [WHFB Treeman AoS Order Aelf Sylvaneth] |
| Dwarf | Dwarf, a supernatural being in European mythology. [WHFB Dwarf] |
| Een McWrecker ¹ | Ian MacGregor (1912-1998), a Scottish-American industrialist whose management actions led to the 1984-85 UK miners' strike. See also: Arka Zargul. [WHFB Human] |
| Eidolon | Eidolon, a spirit-image in Greek mythology. [AoS Order Aelf Idoneth WH40k Chaos Slaanesh SpaceMarine EmperorsChildren] |
| Einhyr | Einherjar, warriors that have died in battle and been brought to Valhalla in Norse mythology. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Eisenhorn | See: Gregor Eisenhorn. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Eisenstein | Sergei Eisenstein (1898-1948), a film director whose work includes Battleship Potemkin in which a ship's crew rebels against their officers. [WH40k Imperial DeathGuard Starship] |
| Eldar ¹ | "Eldar" is a Quenya term (meaning "star people") for one of the Elvish peoples in the Middle-earth setting created by J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973). [WH40k Eldar] |
| Eldrad Ulthran | Perhaps a blend of Eldar and Alban Arthan, a Druidic seasonal festival. Note also the character Eldrad from the Doctor Who episode The Hand of Fear (1976). [WH40k Eldar Craftworld Ulthwe Farseer] |
| Electoo ¹ | Blend of "electric" (relating to electricity) and "tattoo" (inked skin). [WH40k Imperial] |
| Electro-Priest | See: Corpuscarii Electro-Priest, Fulgurite Electro-Priest. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Elf | Elf, a supernatural being in Germanic mythology. [WHFB Elf] |
| Eliminator | "Eliminator", one who gets rid of. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Elixicant | "Elixir", an alchemical liquid. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| El'Jonson | See: Lion El'Jonson. [WH40k Imperial Primarch DarkAngels] |
| El'Myamoto | Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), a swordsman whose work includes The Book of Five Rings. [WH40k Tau Pathfinder] |
| Elysion Fields | Elysian Fields, the afterlife of the blessed in Greek mythology. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus CadianSector CadiaSystem Cadian] |
| Empyrean | Empyrean, part of the highest heaven containing aether. [WH40k] |
| Endrinmaster | "Engine", mechanical device + "master", person in control. [AoS Order Duardin Kharadron] |
| Endrinrigger | "Engine", mechanical device + "rigger", one who fits sails to a ship. [AoS Order Duardin Kharadron] |
| Enginseer | See: Tech-Priest Enginseer. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Ephrael Stern | Raphael, the archangel that announces the Day of Judgement from the Bible + "stern", grim and forbidding. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Epidemius | "Epidemic", widespread disease. [WHFB AoS WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon Herald] |
| Epimetheus | Epimetheus a Titan in Greek mythology, tasked with giving a positive trait to all animals but running out by the time he reached humans. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels GreyKnights] |
| Epstein ¹ | See: Antonio Epstein. [WHFB Human] |
| Equid | "Equid", a member of the horse family. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Eradicator | "Eradicator", one who destroys completely. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Erebus | Erebus, primordial deity of darkness in Greek mythology, and child of Chaos. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine WordBearers] |
| Erik Morkai | Erik the Red (c. 950-1003), a Norse explorer + Old Norse mǫrk, "forest". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| Eruita | See: Junith Eruita. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Estus Jet | Name formed from the letters "*EST SU*JE*T" found on her collar, a corruption of "test subject". [WH40k Necromunda] |
| Ethereal | "Ethereal", relating to the immaterial realm. [WH40k Tau] |
| Eversor | Latin eversor, "destroyer". [WH40k Imperial Assassin] |
| Evocator | "Evocator", one who calls something forth. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Executioner | "Executioner", one who carries out capital punishment. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Exocrine ¹ | "Exocrine", producing external secretions that are released through a duct. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Exodus | "Exodus", a departure of many people. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine AlphaLegion] |
| Exorcist | "Exorcist", one who drives out evil spirits. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| Expectorator ¹ | "Expectorator", one that spits. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Ezekiel | Ezekiel, a prophet in Abrahamic religions. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Fabius Bile | Fabius, a child of Hercules in Roman mythology + "bile", a liver secretion. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine EmperorsChildren] |
| Falcon | Falcon, a bird of prey. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld Vehicle] |
| Farseer | "Far", remote in time or space + "seer", one who divines the future. [WH40k Eldar Farseer] |
| Fateskimmer | "Fate", destiny + "skimmer", one who glides along. [AoS WH40k Chaos Tzeentch Daemon Herald] |
| Fateweaver | See: Kairos Fateweaver. [WHFB AoS WH40k Chaos Tzeentch Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Feculent Gnarlmaw | "Feculent", dirty with faeces + "gnarl", a knot in wood + "maw", the upper digestive tract. [AoS WH40k Chaos Nurgle] |
| Feirros | Latin ferrum, "iron". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine IronHands] |
| Felid | "Felid", a member of the cat family. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Felix | See: Decimus Androdinus Felix. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Felthius | "Filthy", very dirty. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Fenris | Fenrir, a monstrous wolf in Norse mythology. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus FenrisSector System SpaceWolves] |
| Ferrus Manus | Latin ferrum, "iron" + manus, "hand". Correct Latin for "iron hand" would be manus ferrea, and for "iron hands" would be manus ferreae. [WH40k Imperial Primarch IronHands] |
| Festus the Leechlord | Latin festus, "joyful" (but also referencing "infected") + leech + "lord", master of a household. [WHFB Human AoS Chaos Nurgle] |
| Fimir | Fomorians, a supernatural race in Irish mythology. [WHFB AoS Destruction] |
| Finehelm ¹ | See: Gimbrin Finehelm. [WHFB Dwarf] |
| Firestrike | See: Aventis Firestrike. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Flash Git | "Flash", British slang for something expensive-looking + "git", British slang for an annoying person. [WH40k Ork] |
| Flayer | "Flayer", one who strips skin from others. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Fluxmaster | "Flux", change + "master", person in control. [AoS WH40k Chaos Tzeentch Daemon Herald] |
| Foetid Bloat-drone | "Foetid", foul-smelling + "bloat", distend + "drone", worker insect. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard Vehicle] |
| Fomoroid Crusher | Fomorians, a supernatural race in Irish mythology + "crusher", one who pulverises. [AoS Chaos] |
| Forgefiend | "Forge", a smith's workshop + "fiend", demon. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Forgeshrine | See: Sacristan Forgeshrine. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Foul Blightspawn | "Foul", disgusting + "blight", cause of spoiling + "spawn", offspring. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Frank 'n' Stein | Frankenstein (1818), a novel by Mary Shelley. [BloodBowl] |
| Franz | See: Karl Franz. [WHFB Human Empire] |
| Frenzon ¹ | "Frenzy", violent rage. [WH40k Imperial Drug] |
| Fritzy ¹ | "On the fritz", US slang for malfunctioning. [WHFB] |
| Frostheim | Old Norse frost, "frost" + heim, "home". [WH40k SegmentumObscurus FenrisSector FenrisSystem] |
| Frugelhofen ¹ | "Frugal", avoiding waste + Hofen / Höfen, various places in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. [WHFB] |
| Frugelhorn ¹ | Blend of Frugelhofen and Matterhorn (a mountain on the Swiss-Italian border). [WHFB] |
| Fuegan | Spanish fuego, "fire". [WH40k Eldar Craftworld PhoenixLord] |
| Fulgrim | Danish ful, "ugly" + grim, "ugly". [WH40k Chaos Slaanesh Daemon Primarch EmperorsChildren] |
| Fulgurite Electro-Priest | Fulgurite, fused rock formed by a lightning strike + "electro-", relating to electricity + "priest", religious leader. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Fulminator | "Fulminator", one who criticises strongly. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Furioso | Italian furioso, "furious". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodAngels Vehicle] |
| Fusilave | See: Archaeopter Fusilave. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| F'yar ¹ | "Fire". [WHFB Orc] |
| Fyodor Karamazov | Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881), a novelist whose work includes The Brothers Karamazov + The Brothers Karamazov (1880), the last novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| G'aap ¹ | See: Papa G'aap. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon DaemonLord] |
| Gabriel Angelos | Gabriel, an archangel from the Bible + Ancient Greek ἄγγελος, "messenger" (later, "angel"). [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodRavens] |
| Gabriel Seth | Gabriel, an archangel of revelation from the Bible + Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve in Abrahamic religions. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine FleshTearers] |
| Galatus | Latin galeatus, "helmeted". [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| Gallant | "Gallant", honourable. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Gallowglass ¹ | Gallowglass, a member of an elite mercenary class active in Ireland from the 13th to 16th centuries. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus CalixisSector System] |
| Gardus Steel Soul | "Guard us", protect us + "steel", hardened iron alloy + "soul", essence. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Gargant | Gargantua, a character from Gargantua and Pantagruel (first published 1532), a series of novels by François Rabelais. [AoS Destruction Gargant] |
| Gargoyle ¹ | Gargoyle, a flying monster from medieval French mythology. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Gaunt | See: Ibram Gaunt. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Commissar Tanith] |
| Gauss ¹ | Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855), a mathematician and physicist. [WH40k Necron Weapon] |
| Genestealer ¹ | "Gene", the basic building block of encoded life + "stealer", thief. [WH40k Tyranid Genestealer] |
| Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka | There is a persistent fan theory that "Mag Uruk Thraka" is meant to represent Margaret Thatcher. According to the character's creator, Andy Chambers, this is not true: "The real answer is far more arcane than that. In the early eighties my friends and I used to do live roleplaying (it wasn't called that then, but that's what it became in later years). We played monsters a lot, particularly Orcs, so we worked out basic Orcish based on the bits of Black Speech in Lord of the Rings so we could communicate without the adventurers understanding what we said. In that framework, Mag Uruk Thraka = big orc leader, Ghazghkull = metal skull (coincidentally the sun we called 'ghash-kul' = fire-skull). No Maggie involved; we were doing out best to forget about the wicked witch." [WH40k Ork Goffs] |
| Gheden ¹ | Possibly from Gede, the family of spirits representing death in Haitian Vodou. [WH40k System Necron NihilakhDynasty] |
| Ghorgon | Catoblepas, also known as an African Gorgon, a buffalo-like monster in Ethiopian mythology. [AoS Chaos Beastman] |
| Ghrubex ¹ | "Grubby", dirty. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Gideon Ravenor | Gideon, a judge and prophet from the Bible + "ravener", one that plunders. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Gimbrin Finehelm ¹ | Blend of Gimli and Durin, dwarves in the Middle-earth setting created by J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973) + "fine", good quality + "helm", armour for the head. [WHFB Dwarf] |
| Git | "Git", British slang for an annoying person. [AoS Destruction GloomspiteGitz] |
| Gladiator | Gladiator, an armed entertainer in Roman culture. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Glotl Stop | Glottal stop, a sound found in many Seraphon names. [BloodBowl Seraphon] |
| Glowglobe | "Glow", emite light, + "globe", ball. This is a specific reference to the glowglobes of Dune (1965), a novel by Frank Herbert. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Gnarlmaw | See: Feculent Gnarlmaw. [AoS WH40k Chaos Nurgle] |
| Gnosis | Ancient Greek γνῶσις, "knowledge". [WH40k Imperial Custodes Weapon] |
| Gobbapalooza | Blend of Goblin and "lollapalooza" (an outstanding example). [AoS Destruction GloomspiteGitz] |
| Goblin | Goblin, a monster in European mythology. [WHFB Goblin] |
| Gobsprakk | "Gob", British slang for a mouth + German sprach, "I spoke". [AoS Destruction Kruleboyz] |
| God-Emperor of Mankind | References God Emperor of Dune (1981), a novel by Frank Herbert. See also: Neoth. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Goffs | Goths, a Germanic people that raided Rome amongst other places. [WH40k Ork Clan] |
| Goliath ¹ | Goliath, a huge warrior in the Bible. [WH40k Genestealer Vehicle] |
| Gor | "Gore", to pierce with a horn. Note that it is the presence of horns that determines whether an individual beastman is truly a Gor. [WHFB AoS Chaos Beastman] |
| Gorger | "Gorger", one who eats greedily. [WHFB Ogre AoS Destruction Ogor] |
| Gorgon | Gorgon, a snake-haired monster in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle SpaceMarine IronHands Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Gork | See: Gork and Mork. [WHFB BloodBowl Orc WH40k Ork God] |
| Gork and Mork ¹ | Blend of Gog and Magog (two individuals/peoples/lands from the Bible) and Ork. Later, Gogmagog, a giant in Welsh mythology. [WHFB BloodBowl Orc WH40k Ork God] |
| Gorkamorka | See: Gork and Mork. [AoS Destruction Orruk God WH40k SegmentumUltima Ork] |
| Gorkanaut | Gork + Ancient Greek ναύτης, "sailor". [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Gothghul ¹ | Goth subculture + ghoul, a monster from Arabian mythology. [AoS] |
| Gravis Armour | Latin gravis, "heavy". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Armour] |
| Great White Squig | Refers to both the great white shark and the White Whale from Moby-Dick (1851) by Herman Melville. See also: Squig. [WH40k Ork Snakebites Squig] |
| Greenwake ¹ | See: Gurggl Greenwake. [WHFB Lizardman Slann] |
| Gregor Eisenhorn | German eisen Horn, "iron horn". [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Gretchen Wächter | Gretchen, a name + German Wächter, "guard". [BloodBowl] |
| Gretchin ¹ | Blend of Goblin and "wretched" (miserable). [WH40k Ork] |
| Grimaldus | Grimoaldus (?-1137), a Roman Catholic archpriest. Chosen as the name includes the word "grim" (dismal). [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BlackTemplars] |
| Grimnyr | Grimnir, "the Masked One", one of Odin's names. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Grimwald Calaco ¹ | Grimwald, a name + Calico Jack (1682-1720), a pirate captain. [WHFB Human] |
| Growler ¹ | "Growler", British slang for a lady's hairy genitals. [WH40k Ork Squig] |
| Grundstock | German Grundstück, "real estate". [AoS Order Duardin Kharadron] |
| Grynner ¹ | See: Jorge Grynner. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Gue'la | Gorilla. See also: Mon-keigh. [WH40k Tau] |
| Guilliman | See: Roboute Guilliman. [WH40k Imperial Primarch Ultramarines] |
| Gurggl Greenwake ¹ | "Gurgle", a bubbling sound + "green" + "wake", a gathering to remember someone dead. [WHFB Lizardman Slann] |
| Gutrot Spume | "Gut", intestines + "rot", decay + "spume", sea foam. [WHFB Human Norscan AoS Chaos Nurgle] |
| Haarken Worldclaimer | Haakon the Good (c. 920-961), king of Norway + "world", planet + "claimer", one who demands ownership. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine SonsofHorus BlackLegion] |
| Haarlock ¹ | Captain Harlock, a character from Space Pirate Captain Harlock (first published 1977), a manga series by Leiji Matsumoto. [WH40k Imperial RogueTrader] |
| Hades | Hades, god of the underworld in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Haemonculus | Blend of Ancient Greek αἷμα ("blood") and homunculus (an alchemical representation of a human body). [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Hagar Sheol ¹ | Hägar the Horrible, a Viking comic character first published in 1973 + Sheol, a dark afterlife in Hebrew mythology. [WHFB Orc] |
| Hagia | Ancient Greek ἁγία, "female saint". (Hagia is the birthplace of Saint Sabbat.) [WH40k SegmentumPacificus CabalSystem] |
| Hakflem Skuttlespike | "Hack", cough noisily + "phlegm", thick mucus that is coughed up + "scuttle", scurry + "spike", slamming a ball to the ground. [BloodBowl Chaos Skaven] |
| Hamadreth | See: Drycha Hamadreth. [AoS Order Aelf Sylvaneth] |
| Hamadrya | Hamadryad, a tree-dwelling nymph in in Greek mythology. [WH40k Chaos RedCorsairs] |
| Hamilcar Bear-Eater | Hamilcar Barca (275.288 BC), Carthaginian general and father of Hannibal. [AoS Order StormcastEternal AstralTemplars] |
| Harlequin | Harlequin, a character from the commedia dell'arte Italian theatre style. [WH40k Eldar Harlequin] |
| Harpy ¹ | Harpy, a half-human half-bird creature in Greek mythology. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Harridan ¹ | "Harridan", a vicious woman. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Haruspex ¹ | Haruspex, a diviner through reading the entrails of sacrificed animals in Roman culture. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Haslefriesian ¹ | See: Sven Haslefriesian. [WHFB Dwarf] |
| Hastur Sejanus | Hastur, a powerful entity in the Cthulhu mythos, first appearing in "Haïta the Shepherd" (1891) by Ambrose Bierce + Sejanus (20BC-31AD), a soldier and confidant of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SonsofHorus] |
| Havoc | "Havoc", widespread devestation. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine] |
| Hearthkyn | "Hearth", the fireplace of a home + "kin", family. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Hecaton | Ancient Greek ἑκατόν, "hundred". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Minotaurs] |
| Hegemon | See: Tower of Hegemon. [WH40k SegmentumSolar SolarSector SolSystem Imperial Custodes] |
| Heinrich Kemmler ¹ | Blend of Heinrich Kramer (1430-1505, the inquisitor that wrote Malleus Maleficarum) and Heinrich Himmler (1900-1945, Nazi leader who introduced occultism into the SS). [WHFB Human] |
| Hekarti | Hecate, goddess of magic in Greek mythology. [WHFB Elf God] |
| Hekaton Land Fortress | Ancient Greek ἑκατόν, "hundred". [WH40k LeaguesofVotann Vehicle] |
| Helbrute | "Hell", place of great suffering + "brute", senseless beast. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine] |
| Heldrake | "Hell", place of great suffering + "drake", a dragon. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Hellhammer | Hell, the afterlife for evil souls + "hammer", a tool for striking. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Hellhound | Hellhound, a monstrous dog in various mythologies. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Hellion | "Hellion", an unruly person. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Helstorm | "Hell", place of great suffering + "storm", very strong wind. Also a corruption of the name Helstrom. [AoS Order] |
| Helverin | See: Armiger Helverin. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Hemlock Wraithfighter | "Hemlock", a poisonous plant + "wraith", ghost + "fighter", one who engages in combat. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld Vehicle] |
| Hereticus | See: Ordo Hereticus. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition] |
| Hernkyn | Old Norse hærnad, "army" + "kin", family. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Hesperax | See: Lelith Hesperax. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Heterodyne Station ¹ | The Heterodyne family of mad scientists from the Girl Genius comic (first published in 2000) by Phil and Kaja Foglio. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus CalixisSector UzielSystem City AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Hierodule ¹ | "Hierodule", a sacred prostitute. See also: Hierophant. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Hierophant ¹ | Hierophant, an interpreter of sacred mysteries. See also: Hierodule, Hydraphant. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Hive Crone ¹ | "Hive", the home of a bee swarm + "crone", an old woman. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Hive Primus | Latin primus, "first". [WH40k SegmentumSolar Necromunda City] |
| Hive Tyrant ¹ | "Hive", the home of a bee swarm + "tyrant", one who rules through absolute power. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Hololith | Clipping of "hologram" (a type of three-dimensional image) + Ancient Greek λίθος, "stone". [WH40k Imperial] |
| Hormagaunt ¹ | "Hormagaunt", an immortal creature that steals children from The Killing Machine, a 1964 novel by Jack Vance. The name might be derived from Ancient Greek ὁρμή ("assault") + "gaunt", bony. See also: Termagant. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Horticulous Slimux | "Horticulture", the science of gardening + "slime", mucus-like substance + "muck", mud, slop. [AoS WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon Herald] |
| Horus | Horus, a god of kingship and the sky in Egyptian mythology. See also: Lupercal. [WH40k Chaos Primarch SonsofHorus] |
| Hospitaller | "Hospitaller", one who attends to visitors of a religious institution. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Hrothgorn | Hrothgar (6th century), a semi-legendary king of Denmark. [AoS Destruction Ogor] |
| Hunk Bogel ¹ | "Hunk", an attractive muscular man + bogle, a spirit from Northumbrian and Scots mythology. [WHFB Human] |
| Hunter | "Hunter", one who searches for. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Hurakan | "Hurricane", a strong tropical cyclone. [AoS Order Aelf Lumineth] |
| Huron Blackheart | Old French huron, a title given to members of the 1358 Jacquerie revolt + "blackheart", a cruel and remorseless person. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine RedCorsairs] |
| Hurricanum | "Hurricane", a strong tropical cyclone. [AoS Order] |
| Huskard | Old Norse húskarl, "housecarl", a royal household soldier. [AoS Destruction Ogor] |
| Hydra | Lernaean Hydra, a many-headed water monster in Greek mythology. [WHFB Elf DarkElf AoS Order Aelf WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Hydra Dominatus | Hydra, a many-headed snake monster in Greek mythology + Latin dominatus, "absolute power". This gives the Dog Latin meaning of either "the dominating hydra" (for which correct Latin would be hydra dominans) or "the power of the hydra" (for which correct Latin would be hydrae dominatus). [WH40k Chaos AlphaLegion] |
| Hydraphant ¹ | Blend of Hydra and Hierophant. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Ibram Gaunt | Abraham (c. 2150-1975 BC), patriarch of Abrahamic religions + "gaunt", lean or haggard or bleak. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Commissar Tanith] |
| Iconward ¹ | "Icon", symbol or picture + "ward", protection or defence. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Illiyan Nastase ¹ | Ilie Năstase (1946-), a world No. 1 tennis player. See also: Illiyanne Natasé. [WH40k Imperial Astropath DarkAngels Ultramarines] |
| Illiyanne Natasé | Ilie Năstase (1946-), a world No. 1 tennis player. See also: Illiyan Nastase. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld Ulthwe Farseer] |
| Immaterium | "Im-", suffix denoting negation + Materium. [WH40k] |
| Immolator | "Immolator", one who offers in sacrifice. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| Immortal | The Immortals, a group of elite heavy infantry in the army of the Achaemenid Empire. [WH40k Necron] |
| Imotekh the Stormlord ¹ | Blend of Imhotep (an Ancient Egyptian chancellor) and "tech" (technology). [WH40k Necron SautekhDynasty] |
| Imperator | Latin imperator, "emperor". Note that the nominative and vocative are the same, so it is still correct to say imperator when addressing the Emperor directly in a prayer (or oath). [WH40k Imperial] |
| Imperium | Latin imperium, "empire". This is a specific reference to the Imperium of Dune (1965), a novel by Frank Herbert. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Imperium Nihilus | Imperium + Latin nihil, "nothing" + Latin -us, nominative masculine singular suffix. This gives the Dog Latin meaning, "empire of nothing". Correct Latin would be imperium nihili. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Imperium Sanctus | Imperium + Latin sanctus, "sacred". Note that imperium is a neutral noun, but sanctus is a masculine adjective, so the correct Latin is imperium sanctum. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Imperium Secundus | Imperium + Latin secundus, "second". Note that imperium is a neutral noun, but secundus is a masculine adjective, so the correct Latin is imperium secundum. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Impulsor | Latin impulsor, "instigator". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Inceptor | Latin inceptor, "beginner". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Incubus | Incubus, a male demon of sexual assault in European mythology. See also: Succubus. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Incursor | Latin incurso, "I charge towards". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Inferno Pistol ¹ | Originally the Inferno Pistol was available only to Commander Dante of the Blood Angels. This makes Dante's Inferno Pistol a reference to Dante's Inferno, part of the epic poem Divine Comedy (14th century). [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodAngels Weapon] |
| Infernus | Latin infernus, "hellish". [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard] |
| Infiltrator | "Infiltrator", one who penetrates surreptitiously. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Intercessor | Latin intercessor, "mediator". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Invictor | Latin invictus, "unconquered". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Invocatus | Latin invocatus, "invoked". [WH40k Chaos Khorne SpaceMarine WorldEaters] |
| Iolanthe Rathbone ¹ | Basil Rathbone (1892-1967), an actor whose work includes fourteen film portrayals as Sherlock Holmes. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Iron Golem | "Iron", a metallic element + golem, a constructed creature in Jewish mythology. [AoS Chaos] |
| Ironfist ¹ | See: Magyar Ironfist. [WHFB Orc] |
| Ironstrider Ballistarius | "Iron", a metallic element + "strider", one who walks with long steps + Latin ballistarius, "ballista operator". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Isha | Aisha (c. 613-678), a scholar in the early history of Islam. [WHFB Elf WH40k Eldar God] |
| Isharann | Ishara, a goddess of oaths in Mesopotamian mythology. [AoS Order Aelf Idoneth] |
| Isstvan ¹ | Isstvan, a character from Another Fine Myth (1978), a novel by Robert Asprin. The name is a corruption of the Hungarian name István, ultimately from the Ancient Greek στέφανος, "crown". [WH40k SegmentumUltima System] |
| Iybraesil | Hy-Brasil, a mythical island west of Ireland. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld] |
| Jabberslythe | Blend of "Jabberwock" (a monster from the 1871 poem Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll) and "slythy" (a neologism coined by Lewis Carroll in his 1855 poem Stanza of Anglo-Saxon Poetry which later was adapted into the first stanza of Jabberwocky). [AoS Chaos] |
| Jackal Alphus ¹ | See: Alphus. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Jacsen ¹ | See: Mikeal Jacsen. [WHFB] |
| Jaghatai Khan | Chagatai Khan (1183-1242), a ruler and son of Genghis Khan. [WH40k Imperial Primarch WhiteScars] |
| Jakhal | Jackal. [WH40k Chaos Khorne WorldEaters] |
| Janus Draik | Janus, two-faced Roman god of beginnings + Irish draig / Welsh draig, "dragon". [WH40k Imperial RogueTrader] |
| Jim Johnson | Jervis Johnson, designer of Blood Bowl. The illustration of Jim Johnson is also based on a 1980s Jervis Johnson photograph. [BloodBowl] |
| Johan Blank ¹ | John Blanche (1948-), Games Workshop art director. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| John-Boy Bogel ¹ | John-Boy, a character from The Waltons TV Series (first aired in 1972) + bogle, a spirit from Northumbrian and Scots mythology. [WHFB Human] |
| Johnson | See: Jim Johnson. [BloodBowl] |
| Jokaero ¹ | Blend of "Joker" (an elder race from Terry Pratchett's novel The Dark Side of the Sun, 1976) and "aero" (relating to aviation). The appearance of the Jokaero is a further reference to the Librarian, a character first appearing in Terry Pratchett's novel The Light Fantastic (1986). [WH40k] |
| Jorge Grynner ¹ | George Smiley, an intelligence officer from many of John le Carré's novels, first appearing in 1961's Call for the Dead. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Jormungandr ¹ | Jörmungandr, the world serpent in Norse mythology. [WH40k Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Judicator | "Judicator", one who acts as a judge. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Juggernaut | Juggernaut, an unstoppable force. The word is itself a corruption of Jagannath (lord of the universe), a god in Hindu mythology. [WHFB AoS WH40k Chaos Khorne Daemon] |
| Julbrinna ¹ | Yul Brynner (1920-1985), an actor whose roles included the lead in The Magnificent Seven (1960). [WHFB Norscan Weapon] |
| Junith Eruita | Iunit, a goddess in Egyptian mythology + Latin eruit, "she casts out". [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Kabal | "Cabal", a secret political faction. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Kabalite | Member of a Kabal. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Ka'Bandha | Kabandha, a demon (whose name means "headless torso") in Hindu mythology. [AoS WH40k Chaos Khorne Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Kâhl | Old Norse jarl, a title of warrior nobility in Scandinavia. Compare with Old Norse karl, "man". [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Kairic Acolyte | Ancient Greek καιρός, "time" + "acolyte", an attendant. [AoS Chaos Tzeentch] |
| Kairos Fateweaver | Ancient Greek καιρός, "time" + "fate", destiny + "weaver", one who weaves. [WHFB AoS WH40k Chaos Tzeentch Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Ka'jagga'nath | Jagannath (lord of the universe), a god in Hindu mythology. The "Ka" prefix is styled as per Ka'Bandha. [WH40k Chaos Khorne Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Kaldor Draigo | Old Norse kaldr, "cold" + Irish draig / Welch draig, "dragon". [WH40k Imperial Inquisition SpaceMarine GreyKnights] |
| Karamazov | See: Fyodor Karamazov. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Karl Franz | Archduke Franz Karl of Austria (1802-1878). [WHFB Human Empire] |
| Karra Lakota ¹ | Lakota, a subculture of the Sioux, with the character named in reference to Siouxsie Sioux (1957-), a singer. [WHFB Human Amazon] |
| Kastelaii | Latin castelli, "(he/she) of the castle". [AoS Death SoulblightGravelords Vampire] |
| Kastelan | Castellan, the governor of a castle. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Robot] |
| Katakros | See: Orpheon Katakros. [AoS Death OssiarchBonereapers] |
| Kataphron | Ancient Greek καταφρονέω, "I am disdainful of". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Kavalos | "Cavalier", horseman. [AoS Death OssiarchBonereapers] |
| Kayvaan Shrike | Persian کیوان, "Saturn" + shrike, the butcherbird. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine RavenGuard] |
| Keeper of Secrets | "Keeper of Secrets" is a title of the angel Raziel in Judaic mythology. [WHFB AoS WH40k Chaos Slaanesh Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Kekrops ¹ | Cecrops I, the legendary founder and first king of Athens. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Kelermorph ¹ | Blend of Latin celer ("swift") and Metamorph. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Kemmler ¹ | See: Heinrich Kemmler. [WHFB Human] |
| Khaine | Cain, a character from the Bible who was the first murderer. [WHFB Elf DarkElf AoS Aelf WH40k Eldar God] |
| Khan | See: Jaghatai Khan, Kor'sarro Khan. [WH40k Imperial Primarch SpaceMarine WhiteScars] |
| Khan'zhar the Red ¹ | Blend of khan (ruler of a Mongol horde) and "cancer" (disease causing tumours). [WH40k Chaos Khorne Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Kharibdyss | Charybdis, a sea monster in Greek mythology. [WHFB Elf DarkElf AoS Order Aelf] |
| Khârn the Betrayer | Arabic خائن, "betrayer". [WH40k Chaos Khorne SpaceMarine WorldEaters] |
| Kharybdis | Charybdis, a sea monster in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Kher-Ys | Kêr Ys, a mythical city on the coast of Brittany. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld] |
| Khinerai | Kinnara, a half-human half-bird being in Buddhist and Hindu mythology. [AoS Order Aelf DaughtersofKhaine] |
| Khorne | Possibly a clipping of Khornerstone, a computer performance testing benchmark created by Workstation Laboratories in 1986 (the same year that Khorne first appeared, in Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay). Khornerstone is named in the same style as Dhrystone and Whetstone, two benchmarks that it incorporates, with an "h" inserted as the second letter, and the first letter changed to "k" to retain the pronunciation of "cornerstone". Dhrystone (1984) was named as a pun on Whetstone. The Whetstone (1972) benchmark gets its name from the Whetstone Compiler (1964) for ALGOL, which was developed in the village of Whetstone in the UK. [WHFB AoS BloodBowl WH40k Chaos Khorne God] |
| Khorngor | Khorne + Gor. [WHFB AoS WH40k Chaos Khorne Beastman] |
| Kildare ¹ | See: Kylex Kildare. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Killa Kan | "Killer", one that murders + "can", a metal cylinder for conserving food. [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| King in Rags and Tatters ¹ | Refers to The King in Yellow (1895), a book of short stories by Robert W. Chambers: "Where flap the tatters of the King…". [WH40k Chaos Tzeentch Daemon] |
| King in Yellow ¹ | The King in Yellow (1895), a book of short stories by Robert W. Chambers. [WH40k] |
| Knael | See: Quate'maz Knael. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Knight-Heraldor | Knight + "heralder", one who announces. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Knight-Questor | Knight + "quest", mission (but note that there is an English word "questor", an alternative spelling of "quaestor", a type of public official). [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Knight-Relictor | Knight + Latin relictus, "abandoned". [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Knight-Venator | Knight + Latin venator, "hunter". [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Knight-Vexillor | Knight + Latin vexillum, "banner". [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Koak ¹ | See: Rumman Koak. [WH40k Imperial Astropath DarkAngels] |
| Kol Shek ¹ | Carl Kolchak, a character from Kolchak: The Night Stalker (first aired 1974), a television series about investigating supernatural phenomena. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Kommando | "Commando", an army trooper specialising in covert raids. [WH40k Ork] |
| Komus ¹ | Comus, god of festivity and revelry in Greek mythology. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus CalixisSector] |
| Konrad Curze | Joseph Conrad (1857-1924), a novelist whose work includes Heart of Darkness + Kurtz, a character from Heart of Darkness. [WH40k Chaos Primarch NightLords] |
| Kon'ssstriktr | See: Boa Kon'ssstriktr. [BloodBowl] |
| Koronus Expanse ¹ | Ancient Greek κορωνός, "curved" + "expanse", wide region. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus] |
| Kor'sarro Khan | Qasar, brother to Genghis Khan + khan, ruler of a Mongol horde. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine WhiteScars] |
| Kraken ¹ | Kraken, a sea monster from Norwegian folklore of the 1700s onwards. [WH40k Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Kratos | Kratos, god of strength in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Kreek 'the Verminator' Rustgouger | "Creak", a prolonged squeak + blend of "vermin" (annoying small animals) and The Terminator (1984 film ) + "rust", corroded iron + "gouger", one who makes a scooping groove. [BloodBowl Chaos Skaven] |
| Krieg | German Krieg, "war". [WH40k SegmentumTempestus System ImperialGuard] |
| Kritza | Russian крыса, "rat". [AoS Death SoulblightGravelords Vampire] |
| Kroak | "Croak", to make a sound like a frog, and also a slang word meaning "to die". [WHFB Lizardman Slann AoS Order Seraphon] |
| Krom | Crom Cruach, a god in Irish mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| Kronos ¹ | Cronus, the leader of the Titans in Greek Mythology. [WH40k Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Kroxigor | "Crocs", crocodiles + Gor. [AoS Order Seraphon] |
| Kruellagh the Vile ¹ | Cruella de Vil, a character from The Hundred and One Dalmatians (1956), a novel by Dodie Smith. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar KabaloftheFlayedSkull] |
| Kruleboy | "Cruel", heartless + "boy", young man. [AoS Destruction Kruleboyz] |
| Krulghast Cruciator | "Cruel", heartless + "ghast", evil spirit + Latin cruciator, "torturer". [AoS Death Nighthaunt] |
| Kurnoth | See: Kurnous. [AoS Order Aelf Sylvaneth] |
| Kurnous | Cernunnos, god of nature in Gallo-Roman mythology. [WHFB Elf WH40k Eldar God] |
| Kwae Karr ¹ | "Quaker", one who trembles. Possibly Kwae Karr Orcs is a corruption of Quaker Oats. [WHFB Orc] |
| Kylex Kildare ¹ | Kylix, an Ancient Greek drinking cup + Dr. Kildare, a fictional doctor first appearing in Internes Can't Take Money (1936) by Frederick Schiller Faust (under the pen name Max Brand). Note that Kylex Kildare is a medic. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Kyria Draxus | Ancient Greek κυρία, "governing" + "drake", a dragon. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Laeron ¹ | Laeron, a river in the Roman province Gallaecia (present-day Galicia, Portugal). [WHFB Elf Human] |
| Lahmia | Lamia, a monster in Greek mythology. [WHFB Nehekhara City] |
| Lakota ¹ | See: Karra Lakota. [WHFB Human Amazon] |
| Land | See: Arkhan Land. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Land Raider ¹ | "Land", region of ground + "raider", one who plunders. See also: Arkhan Land, Proteus. [WH40k Imperial Chaos ImperialGuard SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Land Speeder ¹ | Landspeeder, a vehicle from 1977's Star Wars film. See also: Arkhan Land. [WH40k Imperial Vehicle] |
| Lasgun ¹ | Blend of "laser" (intense light beam) and "gun" (firearm). This is a specific reference to the lasguns of Dune (1965), a novel by Frank Herbert. [WH40k Imperial Weapon] |
| Lazarus | Lazarus of Bethany, who was raised from the dead by Jesus in the Bible. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Leagues of Votann | See: Votann. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Leetu ¹ | Sounding out of "LE2", the product code for the original limited edition Space Marine miniature from 1985. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Legienstrasse ¹ | Legienstraße is a road (and corresponding metro station) in Hamburg, named after the unionist and politician Carl Legien. [WH40k Imperial Assassin Maerorus] |
| Legio Custodes | Latin legio, "legion" + custodes, "guardians". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Legiones Astartes ¹ | Latin legiones, "legions" + Astarte, goddess of war in Canaanite and Phoenician mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Lelith Hesperax | Lilith, the primordial she-demon and first wife of Adam in Judaic mythology + Hesperus, the Evening Star, a planet in Greek mythology. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Leman Russ ¹ | Leman, a name (might possibly reference Russian composer Albert Leman (1915-1998)) + the Rus' people whose name persists in "Russia" et al. [WH40k Imperial Primarch SpaceWolves ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Leviadon | Blend of Leviathan (a sea serpent in Judaic mythology) and Ancient Greek ὀδών ("tooth"). [AoS Order Aelf Idoneth] |
| Leviathan ¹ | Leviathan, a sea serpent in Judaic mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Liberator | "Liberator", one who frees. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Lictor ¹ | Latin lictor, "one who binds", a type of Roman officer. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Lijah Cuu | Elijah, a biblical prophet and miracle worker + Irish cú, "hound" or "hero". (Although for fun, note also the unrelated Lombard cüü, "arse".) [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Tanith] |
| Lileath | Lilith, the first woman in Judaic mythology. [WHFB Elf WH40k Eldar God] |
| Lion El'Jonson ¹ | Lionel Johnson (1867-1902), a poet whose work includes The Dark Angel. [WH40k Imperial Primarch DarkAngels] |
| Locarno ¹ | Locarno, a town in Switzerland that is home to the Astrovia Locarno, a 1:1,000,000,000 scale model of the Solar System. [WH40k Imperial Navigator] |
| Locus ¹ | Latin locus, "place". [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Lokhust | Locust, an all-devouring swarming insect. [WH40k Necron] |
| Loon | "Loon", madman, but also referencing Latin luna, "moon". [AoS Destruction GloomspiteGitz] |
| Loota | "Looter", one that steals during rioting. [WH40k Ork] |
| Lorabeth Bogel ¹ | Corabeth, a character from The Waltons TV Series (first aired in 1972) + bogle, a spirit from Northumbrian and Scots mythology. See also: Corabell Bogel. [WHFB Human] |
| Lord-Celestant | "Lord", master of a household + "celestial", of the heavens. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Lord-Exorcist | "Lord", master of a household + "exorcist", one who drives out evil spirits. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Lord-Ordinator | "Lord", master of a household + Latin ordinator, "arranger". [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Lord-Veritant | "Lord", master of a household + Latin veritas, "truth". [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Lorgar Aurelian | Aurelian, a Roman emperor whose acts included concentrating Roman worship onto a single sun god, Sol Invictus. See also: Urizen. [WH40k Chaos Primarch WordBearers] |
| Lotann | Lotan, servant of the sea god Yam in Levantine mythology. [AoS Order Aelf Idoneth] |
| Lufgt Huron | See: Huron Blackheart. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine AstralClaws] |
| Lugganath | Lughnasadh, a Gaelic seasonal festival. See also: Biel-Tan, Saim-Hann, Yme-Loc. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld] |
| Lugger | "Lugger", one who moves heavy objects. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Lukas the Trickster | Loki, trickster god in Norse mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| Luminark | Latin lumen, "light" + "ark" (as per the Ark of the Covenant). [AoS Order] |
| Luna | Latin luna, "moon". [WH40k SegmentumSolar SolarSector SolSystem] |
| Lupercal | Lupercal, the cave in which Romulus and Remus were found by a wolf. This is in reference to the original name of the Sons of Horus: the Luna Wolves. See also: Horus. [WH40k Chaos Primarch SonsofHorus] |
| Lurgon ¹ | "Lurgy", from lurgi, a fictional disease in The Goon Show (first appearing in "Lurgi Strikes Britain", 1954). [WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Lustria | "Lustre", shine. [WHFB Lustria] |
| Lychguard | "Lich", a corpse + "guard", one who watches over something. [WH40k Necron] |
| Lyncarte | See: Xoth Lyncarte. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Lysander | Dranath, a fictional herb from Dragon Prince + Lysander (?-395 BC), a Spartan general. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine ImperialFists] |
| Macharius | Ancient Greek μακάριος, "blessed". [WH40k Imperial HighLord ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Machinator | See: Vex Machinator. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine BlackLegion] |
| Mad Mullah Acklan'd | "Mad Mullah", a nickname given to Mohammed Abdullah Hassan (1856-1920) + Tony Ackland, the original illustrator for Warhammer. [WHFB Human] |
| Mag Uruk Thraka | See: Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka. [WH40k Ork Goffs] |
| Magaera | Megaera, one of the Furies in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Magalodon ¹ | Megalodon, a huge prehistoric shark. [WH40k Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Magmadroth | Magma, molten rock + "drake", a dragon. [AoS Order Duardin Fyreslayer] |
| Magnagorsk ¹ | Magnitogorsk, a city in Russia. See also: Volg. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus CalixisSector FenksworldSystem City] |
| Magnus the Red | Latin magnus, "great". See also: Crimson King. [WH40k Chaos Tzeentch Daemon Primarch ThousandSons] |
| Magritta ¹ | Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013), noting that both the British prime minister and Empress Magritta of Marienburg came to power in the year 1979. [WHFB Human Empire] |
| Magus | Latin magus, "magician". [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Magyar Ironfist ¹ | "Magyar", Hungarian + "iron", a metallic element + "fist", clenched hand. [WHFB Orc] |
| Makari ¹ | Greek μακάρι, "if only". This is probably coincidence rather than a deliberate allusion. [WH40k Ork Goffs Grot] |
| Malcador ¹ | The Horus Heresy short story The Last Council (2018) gives us an earlier name of Brahm al-Khadour (presumably via Br. (Brother) Malcador). This may be from Brahman or Abraham + al-Khidr, an ageless wise man in Islamic tradition. [WH40k Imperial HighLord ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Maleceptor ¹ | Blend of Latin malus ("evil") and "interceptor" (one that stops something). [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Malefactor ¹ | "Malefactor", an evil-doer. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Malekith | Latin male, "wickedly" + Middle English kith, "relation". [WHFB Elf DarkElf] |
| Malfi ¹ | The Duchess of Malfi (1613), a play by John Webster. It is a tragedy of revenge amongst nobility. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus CalixisSector System] |
| Malignant Plaguecaster | "Malignant", malevolent + "plague", a pestilential epidemic + "caster", one who performs magic. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Malleus | See: Ordo Malleus. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition] |
| Malter ¹ | "Malter", a maker of malt (in this case malt whisky). The Malter's Falchion is a further reference to the The Maltese Falcon (most famous as a 1941 film, but first published as a novel by Dashiell Hammett in 1930). [WHFB Human] |
| Mamon ¹ | Mammon, a term from the Bible's New Testament associated with material wealth. In the Middle Ages, personified as a prince of Hell. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon DaemonPrince] |
| Mandragora ¹ | Mandragora, the genus of plants from which the mandrake root comes. [WH40k System Necron SautekhDynasty] |
| Mandrake | Mandrake, a plant root associated with magic rituals. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Manipulus | See: Tech-Priest Manipulus. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Mannfred von Carstein | Manfred (1817), a drama by Lord Byron. [WHFB AoS Death SoulblightGravelords Vampire Mortarch] |
| Manticore | Manticore, a monster in Persian mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Manufactorum | Latin manufactorum, "(place) of hand-made things". [WH40k Imperial] |
| Manus | See: Ferrus Manus. [WH40k Imperial Primarch IronHands] |
| Marbo | See: Sly Marbo. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Catachan] |
| Marotter | Blend of marotte and "rotter". [AoS WH40k Chaos Nurgle Weapon] |
| Marvolus | See: Tarn Marvolus. [WH40k Imperial Sorcerer] |
| Mastodon | Mastodon, a prehistoric elephant-like creature. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Materium | Latin materiarum, "(place) of substances". See also: Immaterium. [WH40k] |
| Maulerfiend | "Mauler", one who causes serious wounds + "fiend", demon. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Mawloc ¹ | Blend of "maw" (the upper digestive tract) and Morlock (a monstrous species from the 1895 H. G. Wells novel The Time Machine). [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Max Spleenripper | "Max", maximum + "spleen", an organ of the body + "ripper", one who tears. [BloodBowl Chaos Khorne] |
| McDeath ¹ | Macbeth (published 1623), a play by William Shakespeare. See also: Banquo, Donalbane, Dunco, Runsinane Hill. [WHFB Human] |
| McWrecker ¹ | See: Een McWrecker. [WHFB Human] |
| Mechanicum | Latin mechanicum, "mechanical". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Medusa | Medusa, a snake-haired monster in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard SpaceMarine Vehicle Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Melusai | Blend of Melusine (a water spirit in the form of a woman with a serpent's tail) and Medusa (a snake-haired monster in Greek mythology). [AoS Order Aelf DaughtersofKhaine] |
| Mephiston | Mephisto, a demon in German mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodAngels] |
| Metamorph ¹ | "Metamorph", something that has undergone a biological transformation. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Miasmic Malignifier | "Miasma", a noxious atmosphere + "malign", evil. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Midgardia | Old Norse Miðgarðr, "Earth". [WH40k SegmentumObscurus FenrisSector FenrisSystem] |
| Mikeal Jacsen ¹ | Michael Jackson (1958-2009), singer, particularly for his music video "Thriller" involving zombies. [WHFB] |
| Militarum Tempestus | Latin militarium, "of soldiers" + tempestas, "storm". [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard] |
| Minotaur | Minotaur, a monster in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard] |
| Minotaurs | Minotaur, a monster in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Minotaurs] |
| Misericord ¹ | Latin misericordia, "pity" or (figuratively) "wretchedness". [WH40k CalixisSector Imperial Starship] |
| Misericordia | Latin misericordia, "mercy". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes Weapon] |
| Mistletaine ¹ | See: Aygar Mistletaine. [WHFB Human Norscan] |
| Mistweaver Saih | "Mist", light fog + "weaver", one who weaves + "sigh", exhalation. [AoS Order Aelf] |
| Mjalnar | Mjölnir, the hammer of Thor, god of thunder in Norse mythology. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus FenrisSector FenrisSystem SpaceWolves Starship] |
| Mjod | Old Norse mjǫðr, "mead". [WH40k SpaceWolves] |
| Mkoll | See: Oan Mkoll. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Tanith] |
| Moebius ¹ | August Ferdinand Möbius (1790-1868), German mathematician especially known for the Möbius strip. [WH40k System Necron NekthystDynasty] |
| Moloch ¹ | Moloch, a biblical term that may refer to sacrifice or a Canaanite god. [WH40k Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Mon-keigh | Monkey. See also: Gue'la. [WH40k Eldar] |
| Morai-Heg | The Morrígan, goddess of war in Irish mythology, associated with crows. [WHFB Elf WH40k Eldar God] |
| Moran | See: Sybas Moran. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Morbidex Twiceborn | "Morbid", relating to disease + "twice born", having come into being two times. [WHFB AoS Chaos Nurgle] |
| Morbus | Latin morbus, "disease". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Minotaurs] |
| Mo'rcck ¹ | Michael Moorcock (1939-), an author whose work includes the Elric of Melniboné stories, that presented the opposition of Law and Chaos, and used an eight-pointed star as a symbol of Chaos. See also: An'sl, Phraz-Etar. [WH40k Chaos] |
| Mord'dagan ¹ | Mordiggian, the eponymous character in The Charnel God (1934), a story by Clark Ashton Smith. [WH40k Chaos] |
| Morgwaeth | Welsh mor, "so" + gwaeth "worse" (although in practice mor causes a soft mutation, so together they should be mor waeth). [AoS Order Aelf DaughtersofKhaine] |
| Mork | See: Gork and Mork. [WHFB BloodBowl Orc WH40k Ork God] |
| Morkai | See: Erik Morkai. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| Morkanaut | Mork + Ancient Greek ναύτης, "sailor". [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Morlock | Morlock, a monstrous species from the 1895 H. G. Wells novel The Time Machine. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine IronHands] |
| Mortarion ¹ | Latin mors, mortis, "death". But note Latin mortario (dative/ablative of mortarium, "mortar"). [WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon Primarch DeathGuard] |
| Mortifier | "Mortifier", one that practises abstinence. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| Mortis | See: Scriptor Mortis. [AoS Death Nighthaunt] |
| Mortis Engine | Latin mortis, "of death" + "engine", mechanical device. [AoS Death SoulblightGravelords] |
| Mortisan | Blend of Latin mortis, "of death", and "artisan" (craftsman). [AoS Death OssiarchBonereapers] |
| Mortius ¹ | Blend of Latin mortis, "of death", and mortuus, "having died". [BloodBowl Chaos Nurgle Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Mortrex ¹ | Latin mortis rex, "king of death". [WH40k SegmentumUltima System] |
| Morys cypher ¹ | Morse code, developed and refined by several individuals in the 1800s. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Moulder | "Moulder", to decay or rot. [WHFB AoS Chaos Skaven Clan] |
| Mount Kan'ji | Kanji, Chinese characters used in Japanese writing. [WH40k SegmentumUltima DalythSystem Tau] |
| Mourngul | "Mourn", grieve + ghoul, a monster from Arabian mythology. [WHFB AoS Death Nighthaunt] |
| Mournival ¹ | "Mournival", four playing cards with the same value. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SonsofHorus] |
| M'Shen | Martin Sheen (1940-), an actor whose roles include Captain Willard in Apocalypse Now, the man sent to assassinate Colonel Kurtz. [WH40k Imperial Assassin Callidus] |
| Mucolid ¹ | "Mucoid", relating to mucus. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Mutalith Vortex Beast | Blend of "mutate" (change) and Ancient Greek λίθος, "stone" + "vortex", whirlpool + "beast", a wild animal. [AoS WH40k Chaos] |
| Mutilator | "Mutilator", one who destroys beyond recognition. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine] |
| Mycetic Spore ¹ | Ancient Greek μύκης, "fungus" + "spore", reproductive particle of flora. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Myphitic Blight-hauler | "Mephitic", foul-smelling + "blight", cause of spoiling + "hauler", one that transports by pulling. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard Vehicle] |
| Myrmidesh | Myrmidon, a member of a tribe from Thessaly in Greek mythology. [AoS Chaos Slaanesh] |
| Myrmidon | See: Ogroid Myrmidon. [AoS Chaos] |
| Nadirite | "Nadir", the lowest point + "-ite", suffix denoting a mineral. [AoS Death Material] |
| Naga ¹ | Nāga, a race of serpent-people in South and Southeast Asian mythology. [WH40k Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Namarti | Namor, the Sub-Mariner, a comic character who is adapted to underwater. [AoS Order Aelf Idoneth] |
| Nastase | See: Illiyan Nastase. [WH40k Imperial Astropath DarkAngels Ultramarines] |
| Natasé | See: Illiyanne Natasé. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld Ulthwe Farseer] |
| Nauseous Rotbone | "Nauseous", causing vomiting + "rot", decay + "bone", component of a skeleton. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Navigator ¹ | Guild Navigator, a mutated human that can traverse vast distances in space in a short time, from the Dune setting first published in 1965 in Frank Herbert's books. [WH40k Imperial Navigator] |
| Necare | Ancient Greek νεκρά, "dead". [WH40k Chaos Nurgle] |
| Necromunda | Ancient Greek νεκρός, "dead" + Latin mundus, "world". [WH40k SegmentumSolar System ImperialFists Necromunda] |
| Necron ¹ | Ancient Greek νεκρόν, "dead". [WH40k Necron] |
| Neferata | Nefertiti (c. 1370-1330 BC), queen of Ancient Egypt. [WHFB AoS Death SoulblightGravelords Vampire Mortarch] |
| Nemesor ¹ | Nemesis, goddess of retribution in Greek mythology. [WH40k Necron] |
| Neophyte ¹ | "Neophyte", a novice. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Neoth | Ancient Greek νέος, "new", in reference to the Emperor's first title of New Man. See also: God-Emperor of Mankind. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Nephilim | Nephilim, mysterious giants from the Bible. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Neurogaunt | Blend of "neuro-" (relating to nerves) and Hormagaunt. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Neuroloid | Blend of "neuro-" (relating to nerves) and "neural" (relating to nerves) + "-oid", having the likeness of. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Neurothrope ¹ | Blend of "neuro-" (relating to nerves) and Zoanthrope. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Neurotyrant | "Neuro-", relating to nerves + "tyrant", one who rules through absolute power. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Nexos ¹ | "Nexus", a centre or focus. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Njal Stormcaller | Njáll Þorgeirsson (10th/11th century), a very wise man, a protagonist in the Icelandic text Njáls saga. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| Noctilith | Latin noctis, "of the night" + Ancient Greek λίθος, "stone". [WH40k Necron] |
| Noctis Aeterna | Latin noctis aeterna, intended to mean "eternal night". The correct Latin is nox aeterna ("eternal night" in the nominative case) or noctis aeternae ("of the eternal night" in the genitive case). [WH40k] |
| Nocturne | "Nocturne", a work of art pertaining to the night. [WH40k SegmentumUltima System Salamanders] |
| Nostramo | Nostromo (1904), a novel by Joseph Conrad. [WH40k SegmentumUltima System NightLords] |
| Nostromo ¹ | Nostromo (1904), a novel by Joseph Conrad. [WH40k Imperial Navigator] |
| Novena | See Amalia Novena. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Noxious Blightbringer | "Noxious", harmful + "blight", cause of spoiling + "bringer", one who supplies. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Ntonnik ¹ | See: Djinn Ntonnik. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Nuffle | Sounding out of "NFL", the National Football League, an American football league formed in 1920. [BloodBowl God] |
| Nurgle ¹ | Nergal, a god of war and plague in Mesopotamian mythology. [WHFB AoS BloodBowl WH40k Chaos Nurgle God] |
| Nurgling | Nurgle + "-ling", small. [WHFB AoS BloodBowl WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon LesserDaemon] |
| Oan Mkoll | Eógan, an Irish name + McColl, an Irish/Scottish surname. Note also Ewan MacColl (1915-1989), a British folk singer-songwriter. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Tanith] |
| Obiwan Sherlock Clousseau ¹ | Obi-Wan Kenobi, a character from films including Star Wars (1977) + Sherlock Holmes, a character from stories including A Study in Scarlet (1887) by Arthur Conan Doyle + Inspector Clouseau, a character from films including The Pink Panther (1963). [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Obyron ¹ | Oberon, king of the fairies in European mythology. [WH40k Necron SautekhDynasty] |
| Ofanim Court | Ophanim, a class of angels in Judaic mythology + "court", a royal or legal collective. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodAngels] |
| Officio Assassinorum | Latin officio, "for the service" + "assassin", professional killer + Latin -orum, genitive masculine plural suffix. This gives the Dog Latin meaning, "for the service of assassins". Correct Latin would be officio sicariorum. [WH40k Imperial Assassin] |
| Officio Prefectus | Latin officio, "for the service" + praefectus, "officer". Correct Latin would be officio praefectorum. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Commissar] |
| Ogor | Trademarkable variation of Ogre. [AoS Destruction Ogor] |
| Ogre | Ogre, a monster in European mythology. [WHFB Ogre] |
| Ogroid Myrmidon | Ogre, a monster in European mythology + Myrmidon, a member of a tribe from Thessaly in Greek mythology. [AoS Chaos] |
| Ogroid Thaumaturge | Ogre, a monster in European mythology + "thaumaturge", a performer of miracles. [AoS Chaos Tzeentch] |
| Ogryn ¹ | Ogre, a monster in European mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Abhuman] |
| Old One Eye ¹ | Old One Eye is a Tyrannosaurus character from the story Flesh which ran in 2000 AD issues 1 to 19, from February 1977. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Omegon | Ancient Greek ὦ μέγα, the last letter of the Greek alphabet. See also: Alpharius. [WH40k Chaos Primarch AlphaLegion] |
| Omnissiah | Blend of Latin omnis ("of all") and "messiah" (religious saviour). [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Onager Dunecrawler | Onager, a Roman siege weapon + "dune", hill of sand + "crawler", one who creeps along the ground. See also: Sand Crawler. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Onager Gauntlet | Onager, a Roman siege weapon + "gauntlet", hand armour. [WH40k Tau Weapon] |
| Ophydian | "Ophidian", snake. [WH40k Necron] |
| Opis ¹ | Opis, an ancient Babylonian city. [WH40k System] |
| Orc | Orc, a monster in European mythology. [WHFB Orc] |
| Orc's Drift ¹ | Battle of Rorke's Drift (1879) between the British and Zulu. [WHFB Orc] |
| Ordo Hereticus | Latin ordo, "ranked group" + hereticus, "heretical". [WH40k Imperial Inquisition] |
| Ordo Malleus | Latin ordo, "ranked group" + malleus, "hammer" (referencing Malleus Maleficarum (1486), a treatise on witchcraft). [WH40k Imperial Inquisition] |
| Ordo Reductor | Latin ordo, "ranked group" + reductor, "one who leads back". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Ordo Xenos | Latin ordo, "ranked group" + Ancient Greek ξένος, "alien". [WH40k Imperial Inquisition] |
| Orghotts Daemonspew | Perhaps a blend of "organ" and "guts" + Daemon + "spew", vomit. [WHFB AoS Chaos Nurgle] |
| Orikan the Diviner ¹ | Blend of "oracle" (one who prophesies) and "can" (a cylindrical metal container). [WH40k Necron SautekhDynasty] |
| Ork ¹ | Orc, a monster in European mythology. [WH40k Ork] |
| Orpheon Katakros | Orpheus, a bard that travelled into the underworld in Greek mythology + Ancient Greek κατακρίνω, "I condemn". [AoS Death OssiarchBonereapers] |
| Orruk | Trademarkable variation of Orc. Styled on "uruk", a Black Speech term (meaning "orc") in the Middle-earth setting created by J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973). [AoS Destruction Orruk] |
| Ossifector | Latin ossis factor, "maker of bone". [AoS Death OssiarchBonereapers] |
| Ouroboris ¹ | Ouroboros, a symbol of a serpent eating its own tail. [WH40k Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Palaemon | Palaemon, one of several heroic figures in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Minotaurs] |
| Palatine | "Palatine", a palace official. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Pallador | Pallas is one of the names given to Athena, goddess of strategy in Greek mythology. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Pallas | Pallas is one of the names given to Athena, goddess of strategy in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| Papa G'aap ¹ | "Papa", father + Gaap, a demon described in Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1577) and later occult works. See also: Scabeiathrax the Bloated. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon DaemonLord] |
| Paragon | "Paragon", the highest example. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Armour] |
| Parasite of Mortrex ¹ | See: Mortrex. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Pavonis ¹ | Latin pavonis, "of the peacock". [WH40k System] |
| Paz'uz | Pazuzu, a demon in Mesopotamian mythology. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon] |
| Penitent Engine | "Penitent", feeling sincere guilt + "engine", mechanical device. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| Perturabo | Frater Perdurabo, a name used by Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), an occultist claiming to be a prophet that would guide humanity into the "Æon of Horus". [WH40k Chaos Daemon Primarch IronWarriors] |
| Pestigor | Latin pestis, "plague" + Gor. [WHFB BloodBowl AoS WH40k Chaos Nurgle Beastman] |
| Pestilens | Latin pestilens, "infected". [WHFB AoS Chaos Skaven Clan] |
| Phaeron ¹ | Pharaoh, the title of a king of Ancient Egypt. [WH40k Necron] |
| Phibes ¹ | Dr. Phibes, a character first appearing in the 1971 film The Abominable Dr. Phibes, played by Vincent Price. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Phobos Armour | Ancient Greek φόβος, "fear". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Armour] |
| Phraz-Etar ¹ | Frank Frazetta (1928-2010), a fantasy and science fiction artist, considered to be the godfather of fantasy art. See also: An'sl, Mo'rcck. [WH40k Chaos] |
| Pieter Quillem ¹ | Peter Guillam, an intelligence officer from many of John le Carré's novels, first appearing in 1961's Call for the Dead. Peter Guillam is the right-hand man of George Smiley, just as Pieter Quillem is the right-hand man of Jorge Grynner. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition] |
| Piscina | Latin piscina, "pool". [WH40k System] |
| Plaguebearer | "Plague", a pestilential epidemic + "bearer", one who carries. [WHFB AoS BloodBowl WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon LesserDaemon] |
| Plagueburst Crawler | "Plague", a pestilential epidemic + "burst", missile explosion + "crawler", one who creeps along the ground. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard Vehicle] |
| Plaguecaster | See: Malignant Plaguecaster. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Plasteel | Blend of "plastic" (solid organic polymer) and "steel" (hardened iron alloy). This is a specific reference to the plasteel of Dune (1965), a novel by Frank Herbert. [WH40k Imperial Material] |
| Plastek | Blend of "plastic" (solid organic polymer) and "tech" (technology). [WH40k Imperial Material] |
| Polymorphine ¹ | "Polymorph", transform + "-ine", suffix denoting relation to. [WH40k Imperial Drug] |
| Porphyrion | Ancient Greek πορφύρεος, "purple". [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Poxbringer | "Pox", a skin disease + "bringer", one who supplies. [AoS WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon Herald] |
| Poxwalker | "Pox", disease + "walker", zombie. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle DeathGuard] |
| Praetor | Latin praetor, "leader". [AoS Order StormcastEternal WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle AdeptusCustodes SpaceMarine] |
| Praetorian | Latin praetor, "leader". [WH40k Necron] |
| Preceptor | Latin praeceptor, "commander". [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Predator | "Predator", one that preys on others. See also: Deimos. [WH40k Imperial Chaos ImperialGuard SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Prefectus | See: Officio Prefectus. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Commissar] |
| Preyton | Peryton, a monster in European mythology. [WHFB AoS Chaos] |
| Primaris | Latin primarius, "top-ranking". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Primus ¹ | Latin primus, "first". See also: Alpha Primus, Hive Primus. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Prol ¹ | Back-named from the planet Prol IX: "prolix", prone to speak at great length. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus CalixisSector System] |
| Prophaniti | "Profanity", treating the sacred with contempt. [WH40k Chaos Daemon] |
| Prosecutor | "Prosecutor", one who presents the legal case against the accused. [AoS Order StormcastEternal WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Prospero | Prospero, a character from The Tempest (1611), a play by William Shakespeare. He is a learned sorceror. [WH40k SegmentumUltima System] |
| Protector | "Protector", one who guards. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Proteus | Proteus, a sea god of change in Greek mythology. See also: Land Raider. [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Psychneuein ¹ | Ancient Greek ψυχή, "soul" + German neuen, "new". [WH40k] |
| Psychomancer | Ancient Greek ψυχή, "soul" + "-mancer", practitioner of magic. [WH40k Necron] |
| Psychophage | Ancient Greek ψυχή, "soul" + -φάγος "eater". [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Pteraxii | Ancient Greek πτερόν, "wing". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Pusgoyle Blightlord | Blend of "pus" and gargoyle (a monster in French mythology) + "blight", cause of spoiling + "lord", master of a household. [AoS Chaos Nurgle] |
| Putrifier | See: Biologus Putrifier. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Pyrovore ¹ | "Pyro-", relating to fire + "-vore", an organism that devours this. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Pythos ¹ | Python, a legendary serpent from Delphi in Greek mythology. [WH40k Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Quate'maz Knael ¹ | Bernard Quatermass, a character from stories including The Quatermass Experiment (1953) + Nigel Kneale (1922-2006), the creator of Bernard Quatermass. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Questoris | Latin quaestores, "public officials". [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Quillem ¹ | See: Pieter Quillem. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition] |
| Quixos | "Quixotic", desiring to do noble deeds but without practical care. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Radukar | Radu the Handsome (c. 1438-1475), the younger brother of Vlad the Impaler. Note also the conjoined twin Radhika (1888-1903) who appeared in the Barnum and Bailey Circus. [AoS Death SoulblightGravelords Vampire] |
| Ragnar Blackmane | Ragnar Lodbrok (9th century), a legendary Viking hero. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| Raidocks Timmowit ¹ | Radox, a toiletry brand founded in 1908 + Timotei, a shampoo brand launched in the 1980s. [WHFB Halfling] |
| Rainbow Warriors ¹ | The legend of the Rainbow Warriors (folklore originating in 1962). [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Chapter] |
| Raine | See: Severina Raine. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Commissar] |
| Rampager | "Rampager", one who moves in a frenzy. [WH40k Chaos Knight] |
| Rapier | Rapier, a type of sword. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Raptadon | Latin raptor, "thief" (used in English to refer to a bird of prey) + Ancient Greek ὀδών, "tooth". [AoS Order Seraphon] |
| Raptor | Latin raptor, "thief", used in English to refer to a bird of prey. [AoS Order StormcastEternal WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine] |
| Rathbone ¹ | See: Iolanthe Rathbone. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Ratling | Rat + "-ling", small. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Abhuman] |
| Ratling Gun | Blend of rat and Gatling gun. [WHFB AoS Chaos Skaven Weapon] |
| Ravener ¹ | "Ravener", one that plunders. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Ravenor | See: Gideon Ravenor. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Raybees ¹ | Rabies, a fatal infectious disease. [WHFB Halfling] |
| Razorback | Razorback is an American term for a feral pig. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Razorgor | "Razor" + Gor. [WHFB AoS Chaos Beastman] |
| Reaper | "Reaper", one who reaps. In particular "Grim Reaper" is a name for Death. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar Vehicle] |
| Red Terror ¹ | The Red Terror was a campaign of political oppression in Russia that ran from 1918 to 1922. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Redemptor | Latin redemptor, "contractor". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Reductus Saboteur | Latin reductus, "brought back" + "saboteur", one who destroys property to hinder an enemy. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Reiver Armour | Border reivers, raiders operating along the English-Scottish border from the 13th to 17th centuries. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Armour] |
| Repentia | "Repent", to be sorry for. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Repulsor | "Repulsor", something that deflects other objects. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Retributor | "Retributor", one who punishes from moral outrage or vengeance. [AoS Order StormcastEternal WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Rex | See: Canis Rex. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Rhino | Clipping of rhinoceros. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition ImperialGuard SpaceMarine SistersofBattle AdeptusCustodes Vehicle] |
| Rhyme of the Ancient Acolyte ¹ | The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1798), a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition] |
| Rigg ¹ | Diana Rigg (1938-2020), an actress whose work includes The Avengers. This reference is confirmed by the illustration of the goddess Rigg which shows her with Diana Rigg's distinctive hairstyle. [WHFB Amazon God] |
| Riolta Snow ¹ | Rialto, part of Venice, Italy + "snow". [WHFB Elf] |
| Ripperdactyl | Blend of "ripper" (one who tears) and Pterodactyl (a prehistoric winged reptile). [AoS Order Seraphon] |
| Roboute Guilliman | Robert Cham Gilman was a pen-name used by pulp science fiction author Alfred Coppel (1921-2004) for his series of four Rhada novels (released from 1968 to 1985). [WH40k Imperial Primarch Ultramarines] |
| Rock | There is a persistent fan theory that the Rock is named after a Nottingham gay club. This has absolutely no basis in fact. The Rock is called that because it is a large rock, and as a reference to Castle Rock on which stands Nottingham Castle. [WH40k Imperial DarkAngels Starship] |
| Rockcrete | Blend of "rock" (stone) and "concrete" (a compound building material). [WH40k Imperial Material] |
| Rogal Dorn | Irish ríoga, "royal" + dorn, "fist". [WH40k Imperial Primarch ImperialFists] |
| Rosebark | See: Willow Rosebark. [BloodBowl] |
| Rotbone | See: Nauseous Rotbone. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Rotigus | "Rot" (decay) possibly via the German Rotguss, "gunmetal". [AoS WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Rotspawned | See: Bloab Rotspawned. [WHFB AoS Chaos Nurgle] |
| Rubric | Rubric, a section of text highlighted in red, particularly in medieval Christian manuscripts. [WH40k Chaos Tzeentch SpaceMarine ThousandSons] |
| Rumbelow Sheepskin | Blend of "rumble" (a continuous low and heavy sound) and "bellow" (a deep roar) + "sheepskin", a tanned fleece. The name as a whole references the imp-like man, Rumpelstiltskin, from European mythology. [BloodBowl Halfling] |
| Rumman Koak ¹ | Rum and Coke, a popular cocktail. See also: Clof Bibulus, Djinn Ntonnik. [WH40k Imperial Astropath DarkAngels] |
| Runsinane Hill ¹ | Dunsinane Hill, a location mentioned in Macbeth (published 1623), a play by William Shakespeare. See also: McDeath. [WHFB] |
| Russ | See: Leman Russ. [WH40k Imperial Primarch SpaceWolves] |
| Rustgouger | See: Kreek 'the Verminator' Rustgouger. [BloodBowl Chaos Skaven] |
| Sabbat | Sabbath, a day for rest and worship in Abrahamic religions. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Sacresant | "Sacrosanct", very holy / "sacristan", a maintainer of sacred objects. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Sacristan Forgeshrine | "Sacristan", a maintainer of sacred objects + "forge", a smith's workshop + "shrine", a sacred place. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Saffena Sengir ¹ | "Sengir Vampire" was part of the first release of Magic: the Gathering in 1993, a card game developed by Richard Garfield. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Sagitaur | Latin sagitta, "arrow" / sagittarius, "armed with bow and arrows". [WH40k LeaguesofVotann Vehicle] |
| Saih | See: Mistweaver Saih. [AoS Order Aelf] |
| Saim-Hann | Samhain, a Gaelic seasonal festival. See also: Biel-Tan, Lugganath, Yme-Loc. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld] |
| Salamanders | Salamanders, fire-proof lizards in European mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Salamanders] |
| Samgaff ¹ | Corruption of Samwise Gamgee, a hobbit from The Lord of the Rings (1954-1955) by J. R. R. Tolkien. [WHFB Halfling] |
| Sammael | Samael, an archangel of destruction in Talmudic mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Samus ¹ | Possibly a clipping of "is among us". Note that the computer game Among Us was developed from 2017, over a decade after Horus Rising was published. [WH40k Chaos Khorne Daemon DaemonPrince] |
| Sanctus ¹ | Latin sanctus, "sacred". [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Sand Crawler ¹ | Sandcrawler, a vehicle from 1977's Star Wars film. [WH40k Imperial Vehicle] |
| Sanguinius | Latin sanguineus, "bloody", "bloodthirsty". [WH40k Imperial Primarch BloodAngels] |
| Sanguinor | Latin sanguino, "I bleed", "I am bloodthirsty". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodAngels] |
| Sarpedon | Sarpedon, a hero (taking part in the Trojan War) in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SoulDrinkers] |
| Saturnine | "Saturnine", grim. See also: Terminator. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Armour] |
| Saurus | Ancient Greek σαύρα, "lizard". [WHFB Lizardman AoS Order Seraphon] |
| Scabeiathrax the Bloated ¹ | Scabies + anthrax, two diseases. From Latin scabies, "itch", and Ancient Greek ἄνθραξ, "abscess". See also: Papa G'aap. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon DaemonLord] |
| Scarab ¹ | Scarab, an Ancient Egyptian amulet. [WH40k Necron] |
| Scarab Occult Terminator | Scarab, an Ancient Egyptian amulet + "occult", mystical + Terminator. [WH40k Chaos Tzeentch SpaceMarine ThousandSons] |
| Schutz ¹ | See: Albi Schutz. [WHFB Human] |
| Scimitar | Scimitar, a curved Middle Eastern sword. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Scinari | Latin scin, "do you know?". [AoS Order Aelf Lumineth] |
| Scintilla ¹ | "Scintilla", a small flash. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus CalixisSector System] |
| Scorpius | Latin scorpius, "scorpion". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Scourge | "Scourge", a whip used to cause pain. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Screamer-killer | "Screamer", one that cries out sharply + "killer", one that murders. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Scribbus Wretch | Latin scribo, "I write" + "wretch", one who is miserable. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Scriptor Mortis | Latin scriptor, "writer" + mortis, "of death". [AoS Death Nighthaunt] |
| Scyla Anfingrimm | Scylla, a monster in Greek mythology + German anfing, "I/he began" + Old English grimm, "savage". [WHFB Norscan AoS BloodBowl Chaos Khorne ChaosSpawn] |
| Scylla ¹ | Scylla, a monster in Greek mythology. See also: Charybdis. [WH40k Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Sejanus | See: Hastur Sejanus. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SonsofHorus] |
| Sempiternal Weave ¹ | Blend of Latin semper ("always") and "eternal" (unending). [WH40k Necron Armour] |
| Sengir | See: Saffena Sengir. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Sentinel | "Sentinel", a guard. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Septicus ¹ | Blend of "septic" (causing putrefaction) and Latin septimus ("seventh"). [WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Sequitor | Latin sequor, "I follow after". [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Seraphim | Plural of seraph, a class of angel in Judaic mythology. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Seraphon | Seraph, a class of angel in Judaic mythology. [AoS Order Seraphon] |
| Seraptek | Seraph, a class of angel in Judaic mythology + "tech". [WH40k Necron Vehicle] |
| Serberys | Cerberus, a region of Mars (named after Cerberus, a monstrous three-headed dog in Greek mythology). [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Servitor | Latin servitor, "servant". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Seth | See: Gabriel Seth. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine FleshTearers] |
| Seven Devils ¹ | Reference to the seven demons driven out of Mary Magdalene, according to Luke 8:2 (and later Mark 16:9) in the Bible. [WH40k] |
| Severina Raine | Severina, Roman empress from c. 270 to 275 + rain. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Commissar] |
| Sevireth | Blend of "seventh" and Sephiroth (ten God-created attributes in Kabbalah). [AoS Order Aelf Lumineth] |
| Shaa-Dom | Sodom, a city of great wickedness from the Bible. See also: Commorragh. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar City] |
| Shadowsword | "Shadow", relative darkness + "sword", long-bladed hand weapon. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Shaggoth | Shoggoth, a monster created by H. P. Lovecraft, first appearing in Fungi from Yuggoth (1930). [AoS Chaos] |
| Sheepskin | See: Rumbelow Sheepskin. [BloodBowl Halfling] |
| Shek | See: Kol Shek. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Sheol ¹ | See: Hagar Sheol. [WHFB Orc] |
| Sherlock | See: Obiwan Sherlock Clousseau. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Shrike | See Kayvaan Shrike. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine RavenGuard] |
| Sibellus ¹ | French si belle, "so beautiful". [WH40k SegmentumObscurus CalixisSector ScintillaSystem City] |
| Sicaran | Latin sicarius, "assassin". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Sicarian | Latin sicarius, "assassin". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Sicarius | See: Cato Sicarius. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Sigvald | Sigvaldi Strut-Haraldsson, a legendary chieftain from Denmark. [WHFB AoS Chaos Slaanesh Daemon DaemonPrince] |
| Skaarac the Bloodborn | Blend of "scar" (a permanent mark from a wound) and "rack" (cause pain). [AoS Chaos Khorne] |
| Skaeth | Scots skaith, "harm". [AoS Order Aelf Sylvaneth] |
| Skarbrand | "Scar", a permanent mark from a wound + "brand", a permanent mark from a burn. [WHFB AoS WH40k Chaos Khorne Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Skarr Bloodwrath | "Scar", a permanent mark from a wound + "blood", vital fluid permeating a body + "wrath", great anger. [AoS Chaos Khorne] |
| Skaven | Clipping of "scavenger". [WHFB AoS Chaos Skaven WH40k] |
| Skeggi | Skeggy, slang shortening of Skegness, a seaside town in England. [WHFB Lustria Norscan City] |
| Skink | Skink, a type of lizard. [WHFB Lizardman AoS Order Seraphon] |
| Skitarii | Latin scitari, "to seek knowledge". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Skorpekh | Scorpion. [WH40k Necron] |
| Skorpius | Ancient Greek σκορπίος, "scorpion", or the scorpio siege weapon. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Skragrott | "Scraggy", scrawny + "grotty", dirty. [AoS Destruction GloomspiteGitz] |
| Skulltaker | "Skull", head bone + "taker", one who removes. [AoS WH40k Chaos Khorne Daemon Herald] |
| Skumdrekk | "Scum", floating impurities + "dreck", trash. [AoS Destruction Kruleboyz] |
| Skuttlespike | See: Hakflem Skuttlespike. [BloodBowl Chaos Skaven] |
| Skysplinter Assassin | "Sky", atmosphere + "splinter", long and sharp fragment + "assassin", professional killer. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Slaangor | Slaanesh + Gor. [AoS WH40k Chaos Slaanesh Beastman] |
| Slann | Slan (1946), a science fiction novel by A. E. van Vogt. The Slan are a race of psychic super-beings that are persecuted by humanity. [WHFB Lizardman Slann AoS Order Seraphon WH40k] |
| Slimux | See: Horticulous Slimux. [AoS WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon Herald] |
| Slippery Zim ¹ | Blend of Slippery Jim (a character from The Stainless Steel Rat (1961) and other novels by Harry Harrison) and Invader Zim (an animation about an alien invading Earth, first aired 2001). [WH40k Imperial] |
| Sloggoth | Blend of Troggoth and "slog" (tedious walk). [AoS Destruction Kruleboyz] |
| Sloppity Bilepiper | "Sloppy", messy + "bile", a liver secretion + "piper", one who plays a pipe. [AoS WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon Herald] |
| Sly Marbo | Sly, a nickname for Sylvester Stallone (1946-) + anagram of Rambo (played in film by Stallone), a character from First Blood (1972), a novel by David Morrell. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Catachan] |
| Snakebites | Snakebite, a mixed drink made of lager and cider in equal parts, popular in the UK in the 1980s. [WH40k Ork Clan Snakebites] |
| Snazzgar Stinkmullett | "Snazzy", flashily dressed or ingenious + "stink", bad smell + "mullet", a hairstyle (short at the front and long at the back). [AoS Destruction GloomspiteGitz] |
| Snow ¹ | See: Riolta Snow. [WHFB Elf] |
| Sol | Latin sol, "sun". [WH40k SegmentumSolar SolarSector System SolSystem] |
| Solbright | See: Astreia Solbright. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Solemnace ¹ | "Solemn", sombre, grave. [WH40k System Necron] |
| Solitaire | Solitaire, any game played by oneself. [WH40k Eldar Harlequin] |
| Somnus Blade | Somnus, god of sleep in Roman mythology + "blade", sharp cutting edge. [WH40k Imperial SistersofSilence Weapon] |
| Somnus Citadel | Somnus, god of sleep in Roman mythology + "citadel", fortress above a city. [WH40k SegmentumSolar SolarSector SolSystem Imperial SistersofSilence] |
| Sotek | Sobek, crocodile-headed god in Egyptian mythology. [AoS Order Seraphon God] |
| Spartan | "Spartan", someone/something from Sparta, a city-state in Ancient Greece. [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Spinegaunt ¹ | Blend of "spine" (a needle-like protuberance) and Hormagaunt. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Spleenripper | See: Max Spleenripper. [BloodBowl Chaos Khorne] |
| Spoilpox Scrivener | "Spoil", ruin + "pox", disease + "scrivener", one who writes. [AoS WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon Herald] |
| Sporocyst ¹ | "Spore", reproductive particle of flora + "cyst", a pouch of diseased biological matter. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Spume | See: Gutrot Spume. [WHFB Human Norscan AoS Chaos Nurgle] |
| Spyder | Blend of "spy" (one who secretly observes) and spider. [WH40k Necron] |
| Squig ¹ | In-universe clipping of "squiggly beast". [WH40k Ork Squig] |
| Squigosaur | Blend of Squig and dinosaur. [WH40k Ork Squig] |
| Stalker | "Stalker", one who secretly follows. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Stegadon | Ancient Greek στέγος, "roof" (as per Stegosauria) + ὀδών, "tooth". [AoS Order Seraphon] |
| Stein | See: Frank 'n' Stein. [BloodBowl] |
| Stern | See: Ephrael Stern. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Stinkmullett | See: Snazzgar Stinkmullett. [AoS Destruction GloomspiteGitz] |
| Stompa | "Stomper", one that tramples heavily. [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Stop | See: Glotl Stop. [BloodBowl Seraphon] |
| Stormlord | "Storm", very strong wind + "lord", master of a household. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Stormsword | "Storm", very strong wind + "sword", long-bladed hand weapon. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Stoutmead | See: Thorsson Stoutmead. [BloodBowl] |
| Stratarchis | "Stratarchy", an organisation with power distributed across several layers. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Stratoraptor | See: Archaeopter Stratoraptor. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Strongbranch | See: Deeproot Strongbranch. [BloodBowl] |
| Succubus | Succubus, a female demon of sexual assault in European mythology. See also: Incubus. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Svellgard | Old Norse svella, "to swell" + garðr, "enclosure". [WH40k SegmentumObscurus FenrisSector FenrisSystem] |
| Sven Haslefriesian ¹ | The Magnificent Seven (1960), a Western film remake of Seven Samurai + David Hasselhoff (1952-), lead actor from Knight Rider + "Frisian", from Frisia in Northwest Europe. [WHFB Dwarf] |
| Swarmlord ¹ | "Swarm", mass of animals + "lord", master of a household. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Sybas Moran ¹ | Sebastian Moran, a character from stories including The Adventure of the Empty House (1903) by Arthur Conan Doyle. Colonel Moran was the right-hand man to Professor Moriarty. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Sydonian Dragoon | Cydonia, a region of Mars + dragoon, mounted infantry. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Sylvaneth | "Sylvan", pertaining to forests. [AoS Order Aelf Sylvaneth] |
| Symbaresh | "Sybarite", a person devoted to pleasure. [AoS Chaos Slaanesh] |
| Synessa | Blend of Latin sinister (left or perverse) and "excess" (surpassing the limit). See also: Dexcessa. [AoS Chaos Slaanesh Daemon] |
| Szarekh ¹ | Possibly from Sarek, an alien character from the Star Trek TV series, first appearing in the 1967 episode "Journey to Babel". [WH40k Necron SzarekhanDynasty] |
| Taghmata | Ancient Greek τάγματα, divisions of soldiers, especially from the Byzantine Empire. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Talos | Talos, a giant bronze living statue in Greek mythology. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Tanna | Tannin, the chemical class that gives tea its astringent flavour. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Tantalus | Tantalus, a character in Greek mythology that tested the gods and was punished. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar Vehicle] |
| Tarantula | Tarantula, one of a family of large spiders. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Tarn Marvolus ¹ | Tom Marvolo Riddle is better known as Lord Voldemort, a character in the Harry Potter books (first published 1997) by J. K. Rowling. [WH40k Imperial Sorcerer] |
| Tarsus ¹ | Latin tarsus, "flat part of the foot" or "edge of the eyelid". [WH40k SegmentumObscurus CalixisSector ScintillaSystem City] |
| Tartaros | Tartarus, the afterlife of the cursed in Greek mythology. See also: Terminator. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Armour] |
| Tau | Tao, a philosophical path for achieving perfection, central to Taoism. [WH40k Tau] |
| T'au | Trademarkable variation of Tau. [WH40k Tau] |
| Tauralon | Blend of Latin taurus ("bull") and "talon", hooked claw. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Taurox | Latin taurus, "bull" + ox. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Tech-Priest Dominus | "Tech" (technology) + "priest", religious leader + Latin dominus, "master". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Tech-Priest Enginseer | "Tech" (technology) + "priest", religious leader + blend of "engineer" (one who maintains machines) and "seer" (one who divines the future). [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Tech-Priest Manipulus | "Tech" (technology) + "priest", religious leader + Latin manipulus, "handful". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Telemon | Telamon, a hero (one of the Argonauts) in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| Telion | Greek τελιών, "of the wires". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Tempestor | "Tempest", a severe storm. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Tempestus | See: Militarum Tempestus. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard] |
| Termagant ¹ | "Termagants", man-sized dragon creatures from The Dragon Masters, a 1962 story by Jack Vance. The name comes from Termagant, a god that Middle Ages Christians thought was worshipped by Muslims. See also: Hormagaunt. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Terminator | "Terminator", one who ends something. See also: Cataphractii, Saturnine, Tartaros. [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine Armour] |
| Terminus Est | "Terminus Est" is the name of a sword in The Book of the New Sun (first published 1980), a series of novels by Gene Wolfe (which include a character called Typhon). [WH40k Chaos Nurgle DeathGuard Starship] |
| Terra | Latin terra, "earth". [WH40k SegmentumSolar SolarSector SolSystem] |
| Terradon | Blend of "terror" (extreme fear) and Pteranodon (a prehistoric winged reptile). [AoS Order Seraphon] |
| Terrorgheist | "Terror", extreme fear + "geist", ghost. [AoS Death FlesheaterCourts] |
| Tervigon ¹ | Corruption of Middle English Tervagant, an alternative spelling of Termagant. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Tesla ¹ | Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), an inventor and futurist. [WH40k Necron Weapon] |
| Tesseract Vault | "Tesseract", a four-dimensional analogue of a cube + "vault", secure room. [WH40k Necron Vehicle] |
| Thanatos ¹ | Ancient Greek θάνατος, "death". [WH40k System Necron OruscarDynasty] |
| Thaumaturge | See: Ogroid Thaumaturge. [AoS Chaos Tzeentch] |
| Theyn | "Thane", a pre-Norman English rank of nobility. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Thornback ¹ | "Thorn", plant spike + "back", the rear of the body. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Thorsson Stoutmead | Son of Thor, god of thunder in Norse mythology + "stout", bulky + "mead", an alcoholic drink derived from honey. [BloodBowl] |
| Thudd gun | Onomatopoeic from the sound of its projectiles. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Weapon] |
| Thunderkyn | "Thunder", rumbling following lightning + "kin", family. See also: Brôkhyr. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Tiamet ¹ | Tiamat, a goddess of the sea in Mesopotamian mythology. [WH40k Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Tigurius | Tigurini, a Helvetian people that fought the Romans. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Timmowit ¹ | See: Raidocks Timmowit. [WHFB Halfling] |
| Titan | Titans, the old gods in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Tolmeron | Ancient Greek τολμηρός, "daring". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodAngels] |
| Torquemada Coteaz | Tomás de Torquemada (1420-1498), first Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition + Hernán Cortés (1485-1547), Spanish conquistador who oversaw the fall of the Aztec Empire. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Tower of Hegemon | Ancient Greek ἡγεμών, "leader". [WH40k SegmentumSolar SolarSector SolSystem Imperial Custodes] |
| Toxicrene ¹ | Blend of "toxic" (poisonous) and Exocrine. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Trajann Valoris | Trajan (53-117), a militarily successful Roman emperor + Latin valoris, "of worth". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Transvector | See: Archaeopter Transvector. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Trazyn the Infinite ¹ | "Treason", betrayal + "infinite", unending. [WH40k Necron NihilakhDynasty] |
| Triarch ¹ | "Triarch", one of three rulers in a triumvirate. [WH40k Necron Vehicle] |
| Tribune | Tribune, an elected official in Rome. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Troggoth | Trademarkable variation of Troll. [AoS Destruction] |
| Troglodon | Blend of "troglodyte" (someone/something living in caves or underground) and Ancient Greek ὀδών ("tooth"). [WHFB Lizardman AoS Order Seraphon] |
| Trojan | "Trojan", someone/something from Troy, a city-state in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Troll | Troll, a monster in Scandinavian mythology. [WHFB Troll] |
| Trukk | "Truck", a lorry. [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Trygon ¹ | Latin trygon, "stingray". [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Tuskgor | "Tusk", an elongated tooth + Gor. [AoS Chaos Beastman] |
| Twiceborn | See: Morbidex Twiceborn. [WHFB AoS Chaos Nurgle] |
| Tycho | Tycho Brahe (1546-1601), an astronomer after whom the Tycho crater on the Moon is named. This crater was the location of the monolith in the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodAngels] |
| Typhon | Typhon, a divine monster in Greek mythology. See also: Calas Typhon, Terminus Est. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle Chaos Nurgle DeathGuard] |
| Typhus ¹ | Typhus, a disease. From Ancient Greek τῦφος, "fever". [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Tyranid ¹ | "Tyranny", ruling through absolute power. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Tyrannocyte ¹ | Tyranid + "-cyte", used to form cell names. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Tyrannofex ¹ | Blend of Tyranid and Carnifex. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Tyrant | "Tyrant", one who rules through absolute power. [WH40k Chaos Knight] |
| Tzaangor | Tzeentch + Gor. [AoS WH40k Chaos Tzeentch Beastman] |
| Ulthran | See: Eldrad Ulthran. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld Ulthwe Farseer] |
| Ultramar | Back-named from the Ultramarines. [WH40k SegmentumUltima System Ultramarines] |
| Ultramarines | Ultramarine, a deep blue pigment. Sounds like "ultra" + "marine" (beyond a usual Space Marine). [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Chapter] |
| Ungor | "Un-", not + Gor. [WHFB AoS Chaos Beastman] |
| Uriel Ventris | Uriel, an archangel of wisdom in Judeo-Christian religions + Latin ventris, "of the belly". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Urizen | Urizen, the embodiment of wisdom and law in William Blake's mythology, first mentioned in A Song of Liberty (1793). See also: Lorgar Aurelian. [WH40k Chaos Primarch WordBearers] |
| Ursarkar Creed | German Ursache, "cause" + "creed", religious doctrine. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Cadian] |
| Ûthar the Destined | Uther Pendragon (6th century), a legendary king of the Britons. Note also that one of Odin's names is Uðr. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Valdor | See: Constantin Valdor. [WH40k Imperial Custodes ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Valdrmani | Old Norse valdr, "ruler" + máni, "moon". [WH40k SegmentumObscurus FenrisSector FenrisSystem] |
| Valerian | Valerian (c. 199-262), a Roman emperor taken captive as a prisoner of war. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Valhalla | Valhalla, the halls of the dead in Norse mythology. [WH40k SegmentumUltima System ImperialGuard] |
| Valiant | "Valiant", courageous. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Valkia | Valkyrie, one of those who choose who dies in battle in Norse mythology. [WHFB AoS Chaos Khorne Daemon DaemonPrince] |
| Valkyrie | Valkyrie, one of those who choose who dies in battle in Norse mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Valoris | See: Trajann Valoris. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Vanari | "Vanguard", the leading units of an army. [AoS Order Aelf Lumineth] |
| Vanquisher | "Vanquisher", one who conquers. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Vanus | Latin vanus, "empty" or "deceptive". [WH40k Imperial Assassin] |
| Vargard Obyron | See: Obyron. [WH40k Necron SautekhDynasty] |
| Varghulf | Old Norse vargr, "wolf" + ulfr, "wolf". [AoS Death FlesheaterCourts] |
| Vaswaser ¹ | German Wasser, "water", blending both the pronunciation and spelling. [WHFB] |
| Vect | See: Asdrubael Vect. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar KabaloftheBlackHeart] |
| Venator | See: Knight-Venator. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Venenum | Latin venenum, "poison". [WH40k Imperial Assassin] |
| Venom | "Venom", a toxin delivered by bite or sting. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar Vehicle] |
| Venomthrope ¹ | Blend of "venom" (a toxin delivered by bite or sting) and Zoanthrope. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Ventris | See: Uriel Ventris. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Veridyan | Viridian, a blue-green pigment. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Verminator | See: Kreek 'the Verminator' Rustgouger. [BloodBowl Chaos Skaven] |
| Vertus Praetor | Latin virtus, "virtue" + praetor, "leader". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Vespid | "Vespid", relating to wasps. [WH40k Tau] |
| Vex Machinator | "Vex", annoy + "machinator", one who plots with evil intent. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine BlackLegion] |
| Vexilus Praetor | Latin vexillum, "banner" + praetor, "leader". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Vigilator | Latin vigilat, "he watches". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Vigilor | Latin vigilo, "I keep watch". [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Vigilus | "Vigilant", watchful for danger. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus NachmundSubsector System] |
| Vileblight ¹ | "Vile", disgusting + "blight", cause of spoiling. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle Daemon GreaterDaemon] |
| Vincent Black Shadow ¹ | Vincent Black Shadow (first produced in 1948), the fastest motorbike of its day. [WH40k Imperial Vehicle] |
| Vindicare | Latin vindicare, "to avenge". [WH40k Imperial Assassin] |
| Vindicator | Latin vindicator, "avenger". [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Vindictor | Latin vindicta, "punishment". [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Visarch | "Vice", deputy + Ancient Greek ἀρχός, "leader". [WH40k Eldar Ynnari] |
| Vituperator ¹ | "Vituperator", one that harshly criticises. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Volg ¹ | Volga, a river in Russa. See also: Magnagorsk. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus CalixisSector FenksworldSystem City] |
| Volga | See: Belladamma Volga. [AoS Death SoulblightGravelords Vampire] |
| Voltaic Staff ¹ | Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), a physicist and chemist that pioneered work in electricity. [WH40k Necron Weapon] |
| Voltsvagn ¹ | Volkswagen, a German car manufacturer. [WHFB Dwarf Vehicle] |
| Volturnos | Latin Vulturnus, the Volturno river in Italy. [AoS Order Aelf Idoneth] |
| Vostroya | Belarusian востраў, "island". [WH40k SegmentumObscurus System ImperialGuard] |
| Votann | Wotan, an alternate spelling of Odin, the king of the gods in Norse mythology. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Vulcan | Vulcan, god of fire and metalworking in Roman mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Vulcha | See: Corpse-Rippa Vulcha. [AoS Destruction Kruleboyz] |
| Vulkan | Vulcan, god of fire and metalworking in Roman mythology. [WH40k Imperial Primarch Salamanders] |
| Vyper | Viper, a venomous snake. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld Vehicle] |
| Vyrkos | Greek βρικόλακας, "vampire". [AoS Death SoulblightGravelords Vampire] |
| Waaagh! | Corruption of "war", armed conflict. [WH40k Ork] |
| Wächter | See: Gretchen Wächter. [BloodBowl] |
| War Dog | "War dog", a veteran soldier. [WH40k Chaos Knight] |
| Warden | "Warden", guardian. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Wardokk | "War", armed conflict + "doc", clipping of doctor. [AoS Destruction Orruk] |
| Warglaive | See: Armiger Warglaive. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Warlock | Warlock, a male practitioner of witchcraft. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld] |
| Whirlwind | "Whirlwind", a violent windstorm. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Wilhelm Chaney | Wilhelm scream, a sound effect first used in 1951 + Lon Chaney (1883-1930), a horror film actor. [BloodBowl] |
| Willow Rosebark | Willow, a tree + rose, a plant + "bark", tree skin. [BloodBowl] |
| Willy Bogel ¹ | "Willy", British slang for a penis + bogle, a spirit from Northumbrian and Scots mythology. [WHFB Human] |
| Wolfborn | See: Canis Wolfborn. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| Worldclaimer | See: Haarken Worldclaimer. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine SonsofHorus BlackLegion] |
| Wrack | "Wrack", ruin. Compare with "rack", to cause intense pain. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Wraithfighter | See: Hemlock Wraithfighter. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld Vehicle] |
| Wraithknight | "Wraith", ghost + knight. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld Vehicle] |
| Wretch | See: Scribbus Wretch. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard] |
| Wulfen | Middle English wulf, "wolf". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| Wych | Witch, a female practionier of magic. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar] |
| Wyrdvane Psyker | Old English wyrd, "fate" + "vane", projecting panel + "psychic", one with paranormal powers. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard] |
| Wyvern | Wyvern, a monster in European mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Xenos | See: Ordo Xenos. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition] |
| Xiphon | Ancient Greek ξίφος, "sword". [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Xoth Lyncarte ¹ | Xoth, a world created by Lin Carter + Lin Carter (1930-1988), an author whose work includes the Xothic legend cycle. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Yarrick | Ironic reference to Yorick, a dead court jester from Hamlet (c. 1600), a play by William Shakespeare. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Commissar] |
| Yhetee | Yeti, a legendary creature in Himalayan mythology. [WHFB Ogre BloodBowl AoS Destruction Ogor] |
| Yme-Loc | Imbolc, a Gaelic seasonal festival. See also: Biel-Tan, Lugganath, Saim-Hann. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld] |
| Yncarne | "Incarnate", embodied in physical form. [WH40k Eldar Ynnari God] |
| Ysai Ydumee ¹ | Wycliffe's Bible has Ysai for "Jesse" and Ydumee for "Edomite" in 1 Kings. [WH40k SegmentumObscurus CalixisSector] |
| Yvraine | Igraine, a queen and mother to King Arthur in British mythology. [WH40k Eldar Ynnari] |
| Yyth ¹ | The Great Race of Yith, an alien race created by H. P. Lovecraft, first appearing in The Shadow Out of Time (1936). [WH40k] |
| Zakariah | Zechariah, a prophet in Abrahamic religions. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Zalktraa | Anagram of "alkatraz", in reference to Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. [WH40k SegmentumSolar Necromunda City] |
| Zargul ¹ | See: Arka Zargul. [WHFB Dwarf] |
| Zegenda | Dutch zegende, "blessed" (but as the singular past indicative, not the adjective gezegend). [WH40k Imperial Navigator DeathGuard] |
| Zephyrim | One of the Anemoi, Zephyrus, god of the west wind in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Zerbe | See: Anton Zerbe. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Zim | See: Slippery Zim. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Zoanthrope ¹ | "Zoanthrope", someone who believes themselves to have transformed into an animal. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Zoat | Ancient Greek ζῷα, "animals". [WHFB WH40k Tyranid] |
| Zoatibix ¹ | Blend of Zoat and Weetabix, a breakfast cereal. [WH40k Tyranid] |
| Inspiration | |
| Warhammer Setting | The Dark Tongue; Daemonic Names; Lexicon; Short Stories; Cut-ups; Cool Stuff |
| Art | Golden Demon; Nurglesque Music |
| Speculation | Chaos God Correspondence; Dark Heresy Backgrounds; Sevenfold Path; Sevenrot; Seven Deadly Sins |
| Real World References | Nergal in Mesopotamian History; Symbolism of Three Circles; Symbolism of Seven |
dedicated to the Plague Wind