[ 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 |
|---|---|
| Brôkhyr | Brokkr, a dwarf blacksmith in Norse mythology. See also: Thunderkyn. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Cthonian Beserk | "Chthonian", relating to the underworld + berserker, a Norse warrior that fights in a furious trance. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Demiurg | Demiurge, the creator of the universe in Platonism. [WH40k Tau LeaguesofVotann] |
| Einhyr | Einherjar, warriors that have died in battle and been brought to Valhalla in Norse mythology. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Grimnyr | Grimnir, "the Masked One", one of Odin's names. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Hearthkyn | "Hearth", the fireplace of a home + "kin", family. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Hekaton Land Fortress | Ancient Greek ἑκατόν, "hundred". [WH40k LeaguesofVotann Vehicle] |
| Hernkyn | Old Norse hærnad, "army" + "kin", family. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Kâhl | Old Norse jarl, a title of warrior nobility in Scandinavia. Compare with Old Norse karl, "man". [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Leagues of Votann | See: Votann. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Lugger | "Lugger", one who moves heavy objects. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Sagitaur | Latin sagitta, "arrow" / sagittarius, "armed with bow and arrows". [WH40k LeaguesofVotann Vehicle] |
| Theyn | "Thane", a pre-Norman English rank of nobility. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| Thunderkyn | "Thunder", rumbling following lightning + "kin", family. See also: Brôkhyr. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| 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] |
| Votann | Wotan, an alternate spelling of Odin, the king of the gods in Norse mythology. [WH40k LeaguesofVotann] |
| 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 Certitude