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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 |
|---|---|
| Actuarius | Latin actuarius, "record-keeper". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Adeptus Custodes ¹ | Latin adeptus, "having obtained" + custodes, "guardians". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Balistus | Latin balista, alternative form of ballista. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Castellan | Castellan, the governor of a castle. [WH40k Imperial Knight SpaceMarine BlackTemplars AdeptusCustodes] |
| Custodes | See: Adeptus Custodes, Legio Custodes. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Custodian | "Custodian", one who takes care of something. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Legio Custodes | Latin legio, "legion" + custodes, "guardians". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Misericordia | Latin misericordia, "mercy". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes Weapon] |
| Praetor | Latin praetor, "leader". [AoS Order StormcastEternal WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle AdeptusCustodes SpaceMarine] |
| Prosecutor | "Prosecutor", one who presents the legal case against the accused. [AoS Order StormcastEternal WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Rhino | Clipping of rhinoceros. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition ImperialGuard SpaceMarine SistersofBattle AdeptusCustodes Vehicle] |
| Stratarchis | "Stratarchy", an organisation with power distributed across several layers. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Trajann Valoris | Trajan (53-117), a militarily successful Roman emperor + Latin valoris, "of worth". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Tribune | Tribune, an elected official in Rome. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Valerian | Valerian (c. 199-262), a Roman emperor taken captive as a prisoner of war. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Valoris | See: Trajann Valoris. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Vertus Praetor | Latin virtus, "virtue" + praetor, "leader". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Vexilus Praetor | Latin vexillum, "banner" + praetor, "leader". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Vigilator | Latin vigilat, "he watches". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| 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 Grandfather of Plagues