[ 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 |
|---|---|
| Annihilator | "Annihilator", one who completely destroys. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Astreia Solbright | Asteria, Titan of the stars in Greek mythology + Latin sol, "sun" + "bright", emitting or reflecting much light. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Aventis Firestrike | Latin aventis, "of the craving" + "fire" + "strike", hit. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Bastian Carthalos | "Bastion", a stronghold + Carthalo, an officer in Hannibal's army. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Carthalos | See: Bastian Carthalos. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Castigator | "Castigator", one who punishes. [AoS Order StormcastEternal WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| Concussor | "Concuss", to injure the brain through violent impact. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Decimator | "Decimator", a one who devastates. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Demigryph | French demi, "half" + gryphon (a monster in European mythology). [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Desolator | "Desolator", one who lays waste. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Dracoth | "Drake", a dragon. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Evocator | "Evocator", one who calls something forth. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Executioner | "Executioner", one who carries out capital punishment. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Firestrike | See: Aventis Firestrike. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Fulminator | "Fulminator", one who criticises strongly. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Gardus Steel Soul | "Guard us", protect us + "steel", hardened iron alloy + "soul", essence. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Hamilcar Bear-Eater | Hamilcar Barca (275.288 BC), Carthaginian general and father of Hannibal. [AoS Order StormcastEternal AstralTemplars] |
| Judicator | "Judicator", one who acts as a judge. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| 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] |
| Liberator | "Liberator", one who frees. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| 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] |
| Pallador | Pallas is one of the names given to Athena, goddess of strategy in Greek mythology. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| 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] |
| Protector | "Protector", one who guards. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Raptor | Latin raptor, "thief", used in English to refer to a bird of prey. [AoS Order StormcastEternal WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine] |
| Retributor | "Retributor", one who punishes from moral outrage or vengeance. [AoS Order StormcastEternal WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle] |
| Sequitor | Latin sequor, "I follow after". [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Solbright | See: Astreia Solbright. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Tauralon | Blend of Latin taurus ("bull") and "talon", hooked claw. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Tempestor | "Tempest", a severe storm. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Vanquisher | "Vanquisher", one who conquers. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Venator | See: Knight-Venator. [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Vigilor | Latin vigilo, "I keep watch". [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| Vindictor | Latin vindicta, "punishment". [AoS Order StormcastEternal] |
| 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 Great Corruptor