[ 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 |
|---|---|
| Aberrant ¹ | "Aberrant", abnormal or immoral. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Abominant ¹ | Latin abominant, "they detest". [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Achilles ¹ | Achilles, a hero (taking part in the Trojan War) in Greek mythology. [WH40k Genestealer Vehicle] |
| Acolyte | "Acolyte", an assistant or follower. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Genestealer] |
| Alphus ¹ | Ancient Greek ἄλφα, "alpha", the first letter of the Greek Alphabet, used also to represent the first in number. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Atalan Jackals ¹ | Turkish atlı, "horseman" (a possible derivation of the name Attila) + jackal. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Biophagus ¹ | "Biophage", something that feeds on other living organisms. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Broodlord ¹ | "Brood", offspring + "lord", master of a household. [WH40k Tyranid Genestealer] |
| Clamavus ¹ | Latin clamavi, "I shouted". [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Genestealer ¹ | "Gene", the basic building block of encoded life + "stealer", thief. [WH40k Tyranid Genestealer] |
| Goliath ¹ | Goliath, a huge warrior in the Bible. [WH40k Genestealer Vehicle] |
| Iconward ¹ | "Icon", symbol or picture + "ward", protection or defence. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Jackal Alphus ¹ | See: Alphus. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Kelermorph ¹ | Blend of Latin celer ("swift") and Metamorph. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Locus ¹ | Latin locus, "place". [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Magus | Latin magus, "magician". [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Metamorph ¹ | "Metamorph", something that has undergone a biological transformation. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Neophyte ¹ | "Neophyte", a novice. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Nexos ¹ | "Nexus", a centre or focus. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Primus ¹ | Latin primus, "first". See also: Alpha Primus, Hive Primus. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Reductus Saboteur | Latin reductus, "brought back" + "saboteur", one who destroys property to hinder an enemy. [WH40k Genestealer] |
| Sanctus ¹ | Latin sanctus, "sacred". [WH40k Genestealer] |
| 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 Chaos God of Plagues