[ 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 |
|---|---|
| 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] |
| Achillus | Achilles, a hero (taking part in the Trojan War) in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| Aggressor | "Aggressor", one who attacks first. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Aiakos | Aeacus, king of Aegina in Greek mythology, and one of the judges of the underworld alongside Minos. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Minotaurs] |
| Alpha Primus | Ancient Greek ἄλφα, "alpha", the first letter of the Greek Alphabet + Latin primus, "first". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| 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] |
| Androdinus | See: Decimus Androdinus Felix. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Angelos | See: Gabriel Angelos. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodRavens] |
| 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] |
| Aquila | Latin aquila, "eagle", and therefore used as the name of the standard carried by Roman legions. [WH40k Imperial] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Auspex | Latin auspex, "augur" (one who tells the future through divining the behaviour of birds). [WH40k Imperial] |
| Azrael | Azrael, an angel of death in Abrahamic religions. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| 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] |
| Basilisk | Basilisk, a monster in European mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| Beltayn | See: Dughan Beltayn. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Tanith] |
| 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] |
| Binharic | "Binaric", split into binary components, in a reference to binary code used by computers. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Bjorn the Fell-Handed | Old Norse bjǫrn, "bear". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Brutalis | Medieval Latin brutalis ("savage"), from Latin brutus, ("dull"). [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Bullgryn | "Bull", a male bovine + Ogryn. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Abhuman] |
| Cain | See: Ciaphas Cain. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Commissar] |
| Caladius | Latin calidius, "more fierce". [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| Callidus | Latin callidus, "cunning". [WH40k Imperial Assassin] |
| 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] |
| Carnodon | Latin carnis, "meat" (as per Carnosauria) + Ancient Greek ὀδών, "tooth". [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Celestian | "Celestian", heavenly. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Celestine | "Celestine", a heavenly being. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| 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] |
| Cherubim | Plural of cherub, a class of angel in Judaic mythology. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Chimera | Chimera, a monster in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| 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 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] |
| Crusader | "Crusader", one who goes on a military expedition. [WH40k Imperial Knight Inquisition SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Culexus | Latin culex, "gnat". [WH40k Imperial Assassin] |
| 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] |
| Cypher | "Cipher", someone of no importance. [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| 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] |
| Damocles | Damocles (4th century BC), a courtier to Dionysius II of Syracuse. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| Deathstrike | "Death", the cessation of life + "strike", hit. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Decimus Androdinus Felix | Latin decimus, "tenth" + Ancient Greek ἀνδρός, "of a man" + Ancient Greek δύναμις, "power" + Latin felix, "lucky". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| 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] |
| Deredeo | Latin derideo, "I laugh at". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Devastator | "Devastator", one who ruins a large area. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Dialogus | Latin dialogus, "conversation". [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| 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] |
| Dominion | Dominion, an angelic rank in Christian angelology. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Dominus | Latin dominus, "master". See also: Tech-Priest Dominus. [WH40k Imperial Knight AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Doomhammer | "Doom", terrible destiny + "hammer", a tool for striking. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Dorn | See: Rogal Dorn. [WH40k Imperial Primarch ImperialFists] |
| 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] |
| Dughan Beltayn | Dugan, an Irish surname + Beltane, a Gaelic seasonal festival. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Tanith] |
| Dunecrawler | See: Onager Dunecrawler. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Eliminator | "Eliminator", one who gets rid of. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| El'Jonson | See: Lion El'Jonson. [WH40k Imperial Primarch DarkAngels] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Equid | "Equid", a member of the horse family. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Eradicator | "Eradicator", one who destroys completely. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| 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] |
| Eversor | Latin eversor, "destroyer". [WH40k Imperial Assassin] |
| Exorcist | "Exorcist", one who drives out evil spirits. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| Ezekiel | Ezekiel, a prophet in Abrahamic religions. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Forgeshrine | See: Sacristan Forgeshrine. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Frenzon ¹ | "Frenzy", violent rage. [WH40k Imperial Drug] |
| Fulgurite Electro-Priest | Fulgurite, fused rock formed by a lightning strike + "electro-", relating to electricity + "priest", religious leader. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Furioso | Italian furioso, "furious". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodAngels Vehicle] |
| Fusilave | See: Archaeopter Fusilave. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Gaunt | See: Ibram Gaunt. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Commissar Tanith] |
| Gideon Ravenor | Gideon, a judge and prophet from the Bible + "ravener", one that plunders. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Gladiator | Gladiator, an armed entertainer in Roman culture. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Glowglobe | "Glow", emite light, + "globe", ball. This is a specific reference to the glowglobes of Dune (1965), a novel by Frank Herbert. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Gnosis | Ancient Greek γνῶσις, "knowledge". [WH40k Imperial Custodes Weapon] |
| God-Emperor of Mankind | References God Emperor of Dune (1981), a novel by Frank Herbert. See also: Neoth. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Gorgon | Gorgon, a snake-haired monster in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle SpaceMarine IronHands Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Gravis Armour | Latin gravis, "heavy". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Armour] |
| Gregor Eisenhorn | German eisen Horn, "iron horn". [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Grimaldus | Grimoaldus (?-1137), a Roman Catholic archpriest. Chosen as the name includes the word "grim" (dismal). [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BlackTemplars] |
| Grynner ¹ | See: Jorge Grynner. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Guilliman | See: Roboute Guilliman. [WH40k Imperial Primarch Ultramarines] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Hecaton | Ancient Greek ἑκατόν, "hundred". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Minotaurs] |
| Hegemon | See: Tower of Hegemon. [WH40k SegmentumSolar SolarSector SolSystem Imperial Custodes] |
| 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] |
| Helverin | See: Armiger Helverin. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Hereticus | See: Ordo Hereticus. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition] |
| Hololith | Clipping of "hologram" (a type of three-dimensional image) + Ancient Greek λίθος, "stone". [WH40k Imperial] |
| Hospitaller | "Hospitaller", one who attends to visitors of a religious institution. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Hunter | "Hunter", one who searches for. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Hydra | Lernaean Hydra, a many-headed water monster in Greek mythology. [WHFB Elf DarkElf AoS Order Aelf WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Ibram Gaunt | Abraham (c. 2150-1975 BC), patriarch of Abrahamic religions + "gaunt", lean or haggard or bleak. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Commissar Tanith] |
| Illiyan Nastase ¹ | Ilie Năstase (1946-), a world No. 1 tennis player. See also: Illiyanne Natasé. [WH40k Imperial Astropath DarkAngels Ultramarines] |
| Immolator | "Immolator", one who offers in sacrifice. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Iolanthe Rathbone ¹ | Basil Rathbone (1892-1967), an actor whose work includes fourteen film portrayals as Sherlock Holmes. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Ironstrider Ballistarius | "Iron", a metallic element + "strider", one who walks with long steps + Latin ballistarius, "ballista operator". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Jaghatai Khan | Chagatai Khan (1183-1242), a ruler and son of Genghis Khan. [WH40k Imperial Primarch WhiteScars] |
| Janus Draik | Janus, two-faced Roman god of beginnings + Irish draig / Welsh draig, "dragon". [WH40k Imperial RogueTrader] |
| Johan Blank ¹ | John Blanche (1948-), Games Workshop art director. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| 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] |
| Junith Eruita | Iunit, a goddess in Egyptian mythology + Latin eruit, "she casts out". [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Kaldor Draigo | Old Norse kaldr, "cold" + Irish draig / Welch draig, "dragon". [WH40k Imperial Inquisition SpaceMarine GreyKnights] |
| Karamazov | See: Fyodor Karamazov. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Kastelan | Castellan, the governor of a castle. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Robot] |
| Kataphron | Ancient Greek καταφρονέω, "I am disdainful of". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Kayvaan Shrike | Persian کیوان, "Saturn" + shrike, the butcherbird. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine RavenGuard] |
| Kekrops ¹ | Cecrops I, the legendary founder and first king of Athens. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Khan | See: Jaghatai Khan, Kor'sarro Khan. [WH40k Imperial Primarch SpaceMarine WhiteScars] |
| Kharybdis | Charybdis, a sea monster in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Kildare ¹ | See: Kylex Kildare. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| Knael | See: Quate'maz Knael. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| 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] |
| Kor'sarro Khan | Qasar, brother to Genghis Khan + khan, ruler of a Mongol horde. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine WhiteScars] |
| Kratos | Kratos, god of strength in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Krom | Crom Cruach, a god in Irish mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Leviathan ¹ | Leviathan, a sea serpent in Judaic mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Lufgt Huron | See: Huron Blackheart. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine AstralClaws] |
| Lukas the Trickster | Loki, trickster god in Norse mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| 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] |
| Magaera | Megaera, one of the Furies in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| 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] |
| Malleus | See: Ordo Malleus. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition] |
| Manipulus | See: Tech-Priest Manipulus. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| 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] |
| Marvolus | See: Tarn Marvolus. [WH40k Imperial Sorcerer] |
| Mastodon | Mastodon, a prehistoric elephant-like creature. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Mechanicum | Latin mechanicum, "mechanical". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Medusa | Medusa, a snake-haired monster in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard SpaceMarine Vehicle Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Mephiston | Mephisto, a demon in German mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodAngels] |
| 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] |
| Mkoll | See: Oan Mkoll. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Tanith] |
| Moran | See: Sybas Moran. [WH40k Imperial] |
| Morbus | Latin morbus, "disease". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Minotaurs] |
| Morkai | See: Erik Morkai. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| Morlock | Morlock, a monstrous species from the 1895 H. G. Wells novel The Time Machine. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine IronHands] |
| Mortifier | "Mortifier", one that practises abstinence. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| Morys cypher ¹ | Morse code, developed and refined by several individuals in the 1800s. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| 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] |
| Nastase | See: Illiyan Nastase. [WH40k Imperial Astropath DarkAngels Ultramarines] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Njal Stormcaller | Njáll Þorgeirsson (10th/11th century), a very wise man, a protagonist in the Icelandic text Njáls saga. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| Nostromo ¹ | Nostromo (1904), a novel by Joseph Conrad. [WH40k Imperial Navigator] |
| Novena | See Amalia Novena. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Ntonnik ¹ | See: Djinn Ntonnik. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Ogryn ¹ | Ogre, a monster in European mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Abhuman] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Palaemon | Palaemon, one of several heroic figures in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Minotaurs] |
| Palatine | "Palatine", a palace official. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Pallas | Pallas is one of the names given to Athena, goddess of strategy in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| Paragon | "Paragon", the highest example. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Armour] |
| Penitent Engine | "Penitent", feeling sincere guilt + "engine", mechanical device. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Praetor | Latin praetor, "leader". [AoS Order StormcastEternal WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle AdeptusCustodes SpaceMarine] |
| 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] |
| Primaris | Latin primarius, "top-ranking". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine] |
| Prosecutor | "Prosecutor", one who presents the legal case against the accused. [AoS Order StormcastEternal WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Proteus | Proteus, a sea god of change in Greek mythology. See also: Land Raider. [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Pteraxii | Ancient Greek πτερόν, "wing". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| 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] |
| Ragnar Blackmane | Ragnar Lodbrok (9th century), a legendary Viking hero. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| 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] |
| Rapier | Rapier, a type of sword. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Rathbone ¹ | See: Iolanthe Rathbone. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Ratling | Rat + "-ling", small. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Abhuman] |
| Ravenor | See: Gideon Ravenor. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Razorback | Razorback is an American term for a feral pig. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Redemptor | Latin redemptor, "contractor". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Rumman Koak ¹ | Rum and Coke, a popular cocktail. See also: Clof Bibulus, Djinn Ntonnik. [WH40k Imperial Astropath DarkAngels] |
| Russ | See: Leman Russ. [WH40k Imperial Primarch SpaceWolves] |
| 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] |
| Salamanders | Salamanders, fire-proof lizards in European mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Salamanders] |
| Sammael | Samael, an archangel of destruction in Talmudic mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| 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] |
| Scimitar | Scimitar, a curved Middle Eastern sword. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Scorpius | Latin scorpius, "scorpion". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Sejanus | See: Hastur Sejanus. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SonsofHorus] |
| Sengir | See: Saffena Sengir. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Sentinel | "Sentinel", a guard. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Seraphim | Plural of seraph, a class of angel in Judaic mythology. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| 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] |
| Severina Raine | Severina, Roman empress from c. 270 to 275 + rain. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Commissar] |
| Shadowsword | "Shadow", relative darkness + "sword", long-bladed hand weapon. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Shek | See: Kol Shek. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Sherlock | See: Obiwan Sherlock Clousseau. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition Inquisitor] |
| Shrike | See Kayvaan Shrike. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine RavenGuard] |
| Sicaran | Latin sicarius, "assassin". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Sicarian | Latin sicarius, "assassin". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Sicarius | See: Cato Sicarius. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Skitarii | Latin scitari, "to seek knowledge". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Skorpius | Ancient Greek σκορπίος, "scorpion", or the scorpio siege weapon. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Spartan | "Spartan", someone/something from Sparta, a city-state in Ancient Greece. [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Stalker | "Stalker", one who secretly follows. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Stern | See: Ephrael Stern. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| 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] |
| Stratarchis | "Stratarchy", an organisation with power distributed across several layers. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Stratoraptor | See: Archaeopter Stratoraptor. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| Taghmata | Ancient Greek τάγματα, divisions of soldiers, especially from the Byzantine Empire. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus] |
| Tanna | Tannin, the chemical class that gives tea its astringent flavour. [WH40k Imperial] |
| 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] |
| Tartaros | Tartarus, the afterlife of the cursed in Greek mythology. See also: Terminator. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Armour] |
| 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] |
| Tempestus | See: Militarum Tempestus. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard] |
| Terminator | "Terminator", one who ends something. See also: Cataphractii, Saturnine, Tartaros. [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine Armour] |
| Thudd gun | Onomatopoeic from the sound of its projectiles. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Weapon] |
| Tigurius | Tigurini, a Helvetian people that fought the Romans. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Tribune | Tribune, an elected official in Rome. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Trojan | "Trojan", someone/something from Troy, a city-state in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| Ultramarines | Ultramarine, a deep blue pigment. Sounds like "ultra" + "marine" (beyond a usual Space Marine). [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Chapter] |
| Uriel Ventris | Uriel, an archangel of wisdom in Judeo-Christian religions + Latin ventris, "of the belly". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Ursarkar Creed | German Ursache, "cause" + "creed", religious doctrine. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Cadian] |
| Valdor | See: Constantin Valdor. [WH40k Imperial Custodes ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Valerian | Valerian (c. 199-262), a Roman emperor taken captive as a prisoner of war. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusCustodes] |
| Valiant | "Valiant", courageous. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| 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] |
| Vanus | Latin vanus, "empty" or "deceptive". [WH40k Imperial Assassin] |
| Venenum | Latin venenum, "poison". [WH40k Imperial Assassin] |
| Ventris | See: Uriel Ventris. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Ultramarines] |
| Veridyan | Viridian, a blue-green pigment. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Vulcan | Vulcan, god of fire and metalworking in Roman mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Vulkan | Vulcan, god of fire and metalworking in Roman mythology. [WH40k Imperial Primarch Salamanders] |
| Warden | "Warden", guardian. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Warglaive | See: Armiger Warglaive. [WH40k Imperial Knight] |
| Whirlwind | "Whirlwind", a violent windstorm. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Wolfborn | See: Canis Wolfborn. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| Wulfen | Middle English wulf, "wolf". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine SpaceWolves] |
| 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] |
| Zakariah | Zechariah, a prophet in Abrahamic religions. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine DarkAngels] |
| 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] |
| 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 Master of Plagues