[ 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 |
|---|---|
| Achilles ¹ | Achilles, a hero (taking part in the Trojan War) in Greek mythology. [WH40k Genestealer Vehicle] |
| Achillus | Achilles, a hero (taking part in the Trojan War) in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| Arvus | Latin arvus, "arable". [WH40k Imperial Vehicle] |
| Astraeus | Astraeus, god of the dusk in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| Blackstar | See: Corvus Blackstar. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition SpaceMarine Deathwatch Vehicle] |
| Blight-hauler | See: Myphitic Blight-hauler. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard Vehicle] |
| Bloat-drone | See: Foetid Bloat-drone. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard Vehicle] |
| Bonebreaka | "Bone", component of a skeleton + "breaker", one that fractures. [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Brutalis | Medieval Latin brutalis ("savage"), from Latin brutus, ("dull"). [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Caladius | Latin calidius, "more fierce". [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| Carnodon | Latin carnis, "meat" (as per Carnosauria) + Ancient Greek ὀδών, "tooth". [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Castigator | "Castigator", one who punishes. [AoS Order StormcastEternal WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| Cerberus | Cerberus, a monstrous three-headed dog in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Chimera | Chimera, a monster in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Contemptor | Latin contemptor, "one who despises". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Coronus | Ancient Greek κορωνός, "curved". [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| Corvus Blackstar ¹ | Latin corvus, "raven" + Blackstar, a bogus secret spaceplane reported on in 2006. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition SpaceMarine Deathwatch Vehicle] |
| Crassus | See: Borgen Crassus. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Crusader | "Crusader", one who goes on a military expedition. [WH40k Imperial Knight Inquisition SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Cyclops | One of the Cyclopes, a group of one-eyed giants in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Dakkajet | "Dakka", an onomatopoeic term for heavy gunfire + "jet", an aeroplane using a jet engine. [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Damocles | Damocles (4th century BC), a courtier to Dionysius II of Syracuse. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Deathstrike | "Death", the cessation of life + "strike", hit. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Deff Dread | "Death", the cessation of life + a clipping of Dreadnought. [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Deffkopta | "Death", the cessation of life + "copter", a clipping of helicopter. [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Defiler | "Defiler", one who desecrates. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| Doomhammer | "Doom", terrible destiny + "hammer", a tool for striking. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Dunecrawler | See: Onager Dunecrawler. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Exorcist | "Exorcist", one who drives out evil spirits. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| Falcon | Falcon, a bird of prey. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld Vehicle] |
| Foetid Bloat-drone | "Foetid", foul-smelling + "bloat", distend + "drone", worker insect. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard Vehicle] |
| Forgefiend | "Forge", a smith's workshop + "fiend", demon. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Furioso | Italian furioso, "furious". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine BloodAngels Vehicle] |
| Fusilave | See: Archaeopter Fusilave. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Galatus | Latin galeatus, "helmeted". [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| Gladiator | Gladiator, an armed entertainer in Roman culture. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Goliath ¹ | Goliath, a huge warrior in the Bible. [WH40k Genestealer Vehicle] |
| Gorgon | Gorgon, a snake-haired monster in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle SpaceMarine IronHands Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Gorkanaut | Gork + Ancient Greek ναύτης, "sailor". [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Hades | Hades, god of the underworld in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Hekaton Land Fortress | Ancient Greek ἑκατόν, "hundred". [WH40k LeaguesofVotann Vehicle] |
| Heldrake | "Hell", place of great suffering + "drake", a dragon. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| Hemlock Wraithfighter | "Hemlock", a poisonous plant + "wraith", ghost + "fighter", one who engages in combat. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| Immolator | "Immolator", one who offers in sacrifice. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| Impulsor | Latin impulsor, "instigator". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Invictor | Latin invictus, "unconquered". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Ironstrider Ballistarius | "Iron", a metallic element + "strider", one who walks with long steps + Latin ballistarius, "ballista operator". [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Kharybdis | Charybdis, a sea monster in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Killa Kan | "Killer", one that murders + "can", a metal cylinder for conserving food. [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Kratos | Kratos, god of strength in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| 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] |
| Macharius | Ancient Greek μακάριος, "blessed". [WH40k Imperial HighLord ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| Manticore | Manticore, a monster in Persian mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Mastodon | Mastodon, a prehistoric elephant-like creature. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Maulerfiend | "Mauler", one who causes serious wounds + "fiend", demon. [WH40k Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Medusa | Medusa, a snake-haired monster in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard SpaceMarine Vehicle Tyranid HiveFleet] |
| Morkanaut | Mork + Ancient Greek ναύτης, "sailor". [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Mortifier | "Mortifier", one that practises abstinence. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| Myphitic Blight-hauler | "Mephitic", foul-smelling + "blight", cause of spoiling + "hauler", one that transports by pulling. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard Vehicle] |
| Nephilim | Nephilim, mysterious giants from the Bible. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| Pallas | Pallas is one of the names given to Athena, goddess of strategy in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| Penitent Engine | "Penitent", feeling sincere guilt + "engine", mechanical device. [WH40k Imperial SistersofBattle Vehicle] |
| Plagueburst Crawler | "Plague", a pestilential epidemic + "burst", missile explosion + "crawler", one who creeps along the ground. [WH40k Chaos Nurgle SpaceMarine DeathGuard Vehicle] |
| Praetor | Latin praetor, "leader". [AoS Order StormcastEternal WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle AdeptusCustodes SpaceMarine] |
| Predator | "Predator", one that preys on others. See also: Deimos. [WH40k Imperial Chaos ImperialGuard SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Proteus | Proteus, a sea god of change in Greek mythology. See also: Land Raider. [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Rapier | Rapier, a type of sword. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Razorback | Razorback is an American term for a feral pig. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Reaper | "Reaper", one who reaps. In particular "Grim Reaper" is a name for Death. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar Vehicle] |
| Redemptor | Latin redemptor, "contractor". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Repulsor | "Repulsor", something that deflects other objects. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Rhino | Clipping of rhinoceros. [WH40k Imperial Inquisition ImperialGuard SpaceMarine SistersofBattle AdeptusCustodes Vehicle] |
| Sagitaur | Latin sagitta, "arrow" / sagittarius, "armed with bow and arrows". [WH40k LeaguesofVotann Vehicle] |
| Sand Crawler ¹ | Sandcrawler, a vehicle from 1977's Star Wars film. [WH40k Imperial Vehicle] |
| Scimitar | Scimitar, a curved Middle Eastern sword. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Scorpius | Latin scorpius, "scorpion". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Sentinel | "Sentinel", a guard. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Seraptek | Seraph, a class of angel in Judaic mythology + "tech". [WH40k Necron Vehicle] |
| Shadowsword | "Shadow", relative darkness + "sword", long-bladed hand weapon. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Sicaran | Latin sicarius, "assassin". [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Skorpius | Ancient Greek σκορπίος, "scorpion", or the scorpio siege weapon. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| Stompa | "Stomper", one that tramples heavily. [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| 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] |
| Stratoraptor | See: Archaeopter Stratoraptor. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Tantalus | Tantalus, a character in Greek mythology that tested the gods and was punished. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar Vehicle] |
| Tarantula | Tarantula, one of a family of large spiders. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Taurox | Latin taurus, "bull" + ox. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Telemon | Telamon, a hero (one of the Argonauts) in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial Custodes Vehicle] |
| Tesseract Vault | "Tesseract", a four-dimensional analogue of a cube + "vault", secure room. [WH40k Necron Vehicle] |
| Titan | Titans, the old gods in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Transvector | See: Archaeopter Transvector. [WH40k Imperial AdeptusMechanicus Vehicle] |
| Triarch ¹ | "Triarch", one of three rulers in a triumvirate. [WH40k Necron Vehicle] |
| Trojan | "Trojan", someone/something from Troy, a city-state in Greek mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Trukk | "Truck", a lorry. [WH40k Ork Vehicle] |
| Typhon | Typhon, a divine monster in Greek mythology. See also: Calas Typhon, Terminus Est. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle Chaos Nurgle DeathGuard] |
| Valdor | See: Constantin Valdor. [WH40k Imperial Custodes ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Valkyrie | Valkyrie, one of those who choose who dies in battle in Norse mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Venom | "Venom", a toxin delivered by bite or sting. [WH40k Eldar DarkEldar Vehicle] |
| Vincent Black Shadow ¹ | Vincent Black Shadow (first produced in 1948), the fastest motorbike of its day. [WH40k Imperial Vehicle] |
| Vindicator | Latin vindicator, "avenger". [WH40k Imperial Chaos SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Voltsvagn ¹ | Volkswagen, a German car manufacturer. [WHFB Dwarf Vehicle] |
| Vulcan | Vulcan, god of fire and metalworking in Roman mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Vyper | Viper, a venomous snake. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld Vehicle] |
| Whirlwind | "Whirlwind", a violent windstorm. [WH40k Imperial SpaceMarine Vehicle] |
| Wraithfighter | See: Hemlock Wraithfighter. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld Vehicle] |
| Wraithknight | "Wraith", ghost + knight. [WH40k Eldar Craftworld Vehicle] |
| Wyvern | Wyvern, a monster in European mythology. [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| Xiphon | Ancient Greek ξίφος, "sword". [WH40k Imperial ImperialGuard Vehicle] |
| 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 Lord of Entropy