Line #88 NamesToRunAwayFrom/AncientDeadLanguages


1	!![[center: '''Sandbox.NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast''']][[center: [-'''Single Words:''' NamesToRunAwayFrom/{{Adjectives}} (NamesToRunAwayFrom/TheAdjectiveOne) \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/{{Nouns}} (NamesToRunAwayFrom/{{Animal}} \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/BodyPart \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/{{Colors}} \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/{{Weapons}}) \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/{{Verbs}} \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/{{Titles}} (NamesToRunAwayFrom/NounX \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/ThePerson)-]]] [[center: [-'''Etymology: Ancient Dead Languages''' \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/ForeignLanguageNames-]]] [[center: [-'''Named After:''' NamesToRunAwayFrom/{{Conquerors}} \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/NotoriousKillers \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/RedneckNames \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/ReligiousNames (NamesToRunAwayFrom/BiblicalNames \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/DemonsOrAngels) \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/ShadyNames-]]] [[center: [-'''Sounds and Letters:''' NamesToRunAwayFrom/KNames \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/{{Mor}} \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/NamesEndingInTh \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/RNames \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/XtremeKoolLetterz \| NamesToRunAwayFrom/UnpronouncableNames-]]] [[center: [-'''Various:''' NamesToRunAwayFrom/MixAndMatch]]-]
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3	->"''Smilodon fatalis'' narrowly edged out ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' to win this year's Most Badass Latin Names competition, after edging out ''Dracorex hogwartsia'' and ''Stygimoloch spinifer'' (meaning 'horned dragon from the river of death') in the semifinals."
4	-->-- ''Webcomic/{{xkcd}}'', [[http://xkcd.com/1056/ "Felidae"]]
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6	A form of NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast.
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8	If someone has a name that's Latin, or Sumerian, or Babylonian, this probably means they were ''[[TimeAbyss around back then]]''. A rule of thumb is usually the older something magical is, the more powerful. Expect OminousLatinChanting.
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10	See also [[NamesToRunAwayFrom/ForeignLanguageNames Names To Run Away From: Foreign Language Names]], [[NamesToRunAwayFrom/ReligiousNames Names To Run Away From: Religious Names]], and [[NamesToRunAwayFrom/{{Conquerors}} Names To Run Away From: Conquerors]].
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12	----
13	!!Examples:
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15	[[foldercontrol]]
16
17	[[folder:General]]
18	* Anyone/thing with "Bal-" (Baal, "Lord") in their name. "El" (Hebrew for "god") is the non-threatening version ([[Franchise/{{Superman}} Jor-El, Kal-El]] etc.) Except when they're not ([[TheGrimReaper Azrael]] and any angel from Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei for example)
19	* Variants on "[[NameOfCain Cain]]" are a twofer, being both a really old name, and a [[NamesToRunAwayFrom/NotoriousKillers notorious murderer]]; in fact, the person who ''invented'' murder.
20	* Any villain/weapon/organisation etc. called Cerberus; that has the added kick of an animal name (the three-headed dog which is said to guard the gateway to Hell to prevent anyone escaping). Strangely enough, nothing villainous ever seems to be named for the Greek original of this name, "Kerberos" [[note]]Likely because it means "spotted". Yes, the lord of the underworld named his dog ''[[FluffyTheTerrible Spot]]'', and became the UrExample of "Spot" as a dog's name.[[/note]].
21	[[/folder]]
22
23	[[folder:Comicbooks]]
24	* ComicBook/{{Apocalypse}} from the ComicBook/XMen is also referred to as "En Sabah Nur". That's 30th century BC Egyptian for "Kick Your Ass." Or "Good Morning" or "The First One", depending on who is translating. In modern day Arabic it means “The seven lights”… Or "Uncle Nur from [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabah Sabah]]", in 21st century CE Malaysian.
25	[[/folder]]
26
27	[[folder:Film]]
28	* [[Film/TheSilenceOfTheLambs Hannibal]]. Both [[UsefulNotes/PunicWars that one]] and [[Literature/SilenceOfTheLambs that one]].
29	** BilingualBonus applies: the name translates as "Baal is Grace".
30	* The Kurgan in ''Film/{{Highlander}}''
31	* Vermithrax Pejorative, "The Thracian wyrm that makes things worse", from ''Film/{{Dragonslayer}}''.
32	* What about [[Film/{{Ghostbusters 1984}} Zuul, Vinz-Glortho, or Gozer the Gozarian]]? Albeit they are more like made up dead languages... but who cares when you are being told to choose the form of the Destructor?
33	* Fuad Ramses in ''Film/BloodFeast''.
34	* Elektra: The villain in ''Film/TheWorldIsNotEnough'', and [[Film/{{Elektra}} a film starring the Marvel heroine of the same name]].
35	* In ''Film/JurassicWorld'', the BigBad is a dinosaur called ''Indominus Rex'', literally "Fierce King" or "Untameable King". And unlike the dinosaurs in the [[Film/JurassicPark first film]], which were mostly [[ObliviouslyEvil just following their instincts]], ''Indominus'' is actively malicious.
36	* In ''Film/GoldenEye'', the [[TheMole traitorous]] [[BigBadFriend Alec Trevelyan]] assumes the codename Janus (the TwoFaced Roman God) after [[FakingTheDead faking his death]] in Arkangelsk.
37	[[/folder]]
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39	[[folder:Literature]]
40	* ''Carcer'' is Latin for ''prison'' (the root of our ''incarcerate'') and is also the name of the villainous murderer-cum-policeman in Creator/TerryPratchett's ''Literature/NightWatchDiscworld''.
41	** Another Literature/{{Discworld}} example is [[EldritchAbomination Bel-Shamharoth]].
42	* The BigBad of ''Literature/KittyNorville'', being a vampire from the time of ancient Rome, has a Latin name by which he is known: Dux Bellorum, 'leader/general of wars'. 'Nuff said.
43	* The name of Bellatrix Lestrange from ''Literature/HarryPotter'' means something akin to "Female Warrior Outsider".
44	** Dolores Umbridge. Dolores=sorrows; umbrage=offence or annoyance.
45	** Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco Malfoy. 'Lucius' is from the same root as 'Lucifer'; 'Narcissa' is the feminine of 'Narcissus', a beautiful, but poisonous flower, itself named for a vain mythological character, the root of 'narcissism'; 'Draco' means 'Dragon'; 'Malfoy' means 'Treachery', literally 'bad faith'. Considering that JK Rowling got her degree in Classical & Romance Languages, it is not surprising that many of her characters' names follow this trope.
46	* From ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', we have [[MagnificentBastard Nicodemus Archleone]]. Two Biblical references with one name -- and he's old enough to have met Jesus. He has the experience to show for it, too.
47	* From the same author, there's the ''Literature/CodexAlera'' series, which has [[ExaggeratedTrope every]] name derived from Latin. The absolute crowner, however, has to be [[spoiler: Gaius Tavarus Magnus, which translates into ''Lord Wolverine The Great''. He's not a bad guy, but he certainly earns it.]]
48	** Also Invidia (Envy) Aquitane.
49	* [[Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire Janos]] is an alternate spelling of Janus, the Roman god best known for being two-faced. It is also the name of the commander of the King's Landing city watch who betrays Ned Stark in ''Literature/AGameOfThrones''.
50	* Borborygmus Gog in ''Literature/GalaxyOfFear''. Borbogrygmus is the official term for stomach sounds; it comes from an ancient Greek word.
51	* In ''Literature/DragonBones'' Stygian, after the river Styx in the underworld of Myth/ClassicalMythology. The horse of that name [[WhatDidYouExpectWhenYouNamedIt killed its first owner.]] The second owner renamed it "Pansy", and treated it much better, thus acquiring a CoolHorse.
52	* Neferet in ''Literature/HouseOfNight.'' [[AvertedTrope Averted]] with Zenobia, who is a genuinely good person. Since vampires get to chose their own names, this trope is invoked by a trio who name themselves for the Graeae of Greek Myth: Deino, Enyo and Porphredo.
53	[[/folder]]
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55	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
56	* Any vampire series; it's the ones with these names you really better watch out for. "Angelus" from ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' for example.
57	* Shows up in ''Series/StargateSG1'' a whole lot. When your BigBad AlwaysChaoticEvil race's shtick is stealing the names of the gods from primitive Earth religions what else would you expect? e.g. Ba'al, Chronus, Sokar, Anubis, ect.
58	* In one episode of ''Series/DoctorWho'', TheMaster uses the alias Magister (Latin for "Master"). In another, Thascalos. (Greek for "Master").
59	[[/folder]]
60
61	[[folder:Video Games]]
62	* [[VideoGame/StarCraft Arcturus Mengsk]]. More intimidating for political reasons than physical.
63	** Blizzard finally admitted that "Zera" means oblivion in Khalani. Admittedly a made up language, but do any Protoss heroes with that in their name come to mind? [[spoiler: Zeratul!]]
64	* In ''VideoGame/SoulCalibur'', Zasalamel's (an immortal) attacks are named after Babylonian gods, sets up the events of the 3rd game for his own benefit, and while heroic in the 4th, is still a jerk.
65	* The titular planet from ''VideoGame/{{Anachronox}}''. "Poison of the past"
66	* [[Franchise/KingdomHearts Vanitas.]] Latin for emptiness. [[spoiler: Amusingly enough, an alternate interpretation is [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption "futility".]]]]
67	* Gilgamesh in ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight''. Considering the fact that it revolves around a war between the summoned spirits of legendary heroes, it's not just a guy named Gilgamesh, it's ''the'' [[Literature/TheEpicOfGilgamesh Gilgamesh]].
68	** Following from this, you have [[InfinityPlusOneSword Ea]]. The single most powerful weapon in the entire world. [[BeamOWar It's perfectly capable of]], [[IAmNotLeftHanded on it's lowest setting]], [[CurbStompBattle wiping the floor with]] [[WaveMotionSword Excalibur]]. It's stated that it could destroy the world if Gilgamesh ever wanted to.
69	* [[VideoGame/RuneScape RuneScape]] has several, most of which are based on Latin, representing the fictional Infernal language, the official state language of [[TheEmpire Zaros' ancient empire.]] His chief general and creation is Nex, "murder." She has four ancient archmages bound to her service -- [[AnIcePerson Glacies,]] [[CastingAShadow Umbra,]] [[BloodyMurder Curor,]] and [[FogOfDoom Fumus,]] whose names represent the magic at their disposal.
70	* The first major boss in ''VideoGame/StriderArcade'' is Ouroboros (or [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Urobolos]]), a mechanical SegmentedSerpent. Also the name of TheVirus in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5''. Both are Creator/{{Capcom}} games.
71	* Primagen ("first kind"?), the BigBad of ''VideoGame/{{Turok}} 2: Seeds of Evil''.
72	* Nemesis, the Greek goddess of retribution, is the name source for ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil3Nemesis''.
73	* Zelos, the BigBad [[PlanetEater planet-eating]] EldritchAbomination in ''[[VideoGame/{{Gradius}} Life Force]]'', and Bacterian, the BigBad of the main ''VideoGame/{{Gradius}}'' series.
74	* Talos, the bronze giant guardian of Crete. ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilTheUmbrellaChronicles'' features a prototype cyborg Tyrant codenamed T.A.L.O.S.
75	* Anything named Chimera, such the Chimeras in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil'', and the Chimera aliens in ''VideoGame/{{Resistance}}''.
76	* Nitara (Sanskrit for "having deep roots") from the later ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' games.
77	* Alma (Latin for "nurturing"):
78	** One of the Greater Fiends in the Xbox remake of ''VideoGame/NinjaGaiden'', as well as being ThatOneBoss.
79	** The StringyHairedGhostGirl mascot of the ''[[VideoGame/FirstEncounterAssaultRecon FEAR]]'' series.
80	** [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] with Alma Beouvle in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'', who along with [[TheHero her brother]] is [[AllLovingHero among the nicest people in the game]]. [[spoiler: [[DoubleSubverted The person she's a reincarnation of,]] [[BigBad on the other hand...]]]]
81	* Legate Lanius (Latin for [[TheButcher "butcher"]]), the DragonInChief and FinalBoss of ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas''.
82	** Ulysses from ''Lonesome Road'' takes his name from Ulysses Grant.
83	* The ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'' champion Aatrox derives his name from the Latin ''atrox''--the same word from which English words like "atrocious" and "atrocity" are derived. Aatrox is one of the Darkin, a quartet of demons who destroy everything in their wake.
84	* Most of the planets in ''VideoGame/TheAdventuresOfRadGravity'' have Greek or Latin-sounding names, such as [[{{Prehistoria}} Sauria]], [[LethalLavaLand Volcania]], Utopia(nowhere), and [[TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon Telos]](end). The player's RobotBuddy and the purported BigBad are named Kakos (evil) and Agathos (good or noble), respectively, subtly hinting at who's the real bad guy.
85	* ''VideoGame/{{Dishonored}}'' has the Pandyssian Continent, whose name is Greek for "all that is bad".
86	* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls''
87	** Molag Bal, the [[JerkassGods Daedric]] [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils Prince]] of [[DystopiaJustifiesTheMeans domination]], [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil enslavement]], and [[RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil rape]]. Notable for having not only the "Bal" mentioned above, but also "Molag", referencing [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moloch Moloch]], a Canaanite god reported in the Bible to have demanded [[WouldHurtAChild child sacrifice]].
88	** ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' provides an in-universe example with [[ConLang Dovazhul]], the dragon language, which is largely forgotten aside from scholars and the Greybeards. It gives such examples as:
89	*** Alduin ("Destroyer Devour Master")
90	*** Durnehviir ("Curse Never Dying")
91	*** Nahagliiv ("Fury Burn Wither")
92	*** Odahviing ("Snow Hunter Wing")
93	*** [[spoiler:Paarthurnax]] ("Ambition Overlord Cruelty")
94	*** Sahloknir ("Phantom Sky Hunt")
95	*** Vuljotnaak ("Dark Maw Eat")
96	*** Vulthuryol ("Dark Overlord Fire")
97	*** May of may not be averted by [[PlayerCharacter Dovahkin]], depending on [[VideoGameCaringPotential your]] [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential actions]].
98	* All but one of the end-of-chapter bosses in ''VideoGame/LiveALive'' are named in some way after "odio," Latin for "hatred." This ranges from a Tyrannosaurus Rex named Odo, to a wrestler named Odie O'Bright, to a computer program codenamed [=OD-10=]. [[spoiler: Naturally, that's because they're all different forms of the [[ManBehindTheMan Lord of Dark Odio]], whom you face in the final chapter. And the reason one of the chapters doesn't end with fighting an Odio incarnation is because ''[[TomatoSurprise you're playing as the man]] who [[FallenHero eventually becomes him]]''.]]
99	* ''VideoGame/ChildOfLight'' has [[WickedStepmother Umbra]] ("shadow"), [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Queen of the Night]], and her daughters Nox ("night") and Crepusculum ("twilight").
100	* The BigBad of ''VideoGame/QuakeII'' and ''VideoGame/QuakeIV'' is the Makron, whose name means [[LargeAndInCharge "large" or "tall"]] in Greek.
101	* ''VideoGame/KirbyMassAttack'' has a surprisingly edgy villain name for a ''Kirby'' game. Ready? Necrodeus. Latin for 'Death god'. And it fits, as a NoNonsenseNemesis whose first action in the game is to split Kirby into ten and then kill all but one of them (and nearly getting all of them).
102	* In ''VideoGame/RigidForceAlpha'', the SlippySlideyIceWorld planet is named Creeo, which sounds like the Greek word for "cold", and the LethalLavaLand planet is named Aestus, which is derived from the Latin word for "heat".
103	* In ''VideoGame/{{Outriders}}'', [[NamesToRunAwayFrom/ReligiousNames Lord Seth]] warns the protagonists about an extremely powerful and evil Altered named Moloch.
104	[[/folder]]
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106	[[folder:Western Animation]]
107	* Semi-exception: [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus]] are ancient by human standards, but a few million years is pretty standard for a giant alien robot, and they're nice folks. But extremely badass nonetheless.
108	* The ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' episode "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep" features the Tantabus, named after the Latin word for "nightmare", an amorphous EldritchAbomination created by Princess Luna to punish herself for her deeds as Nightmare Moon, which increases in size and strength as it feeds on her guilt and spreads to other ponies' dreams, turning them into nightmares in the process.
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111	[[folder:Real Life]]
112	* ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytophthora Phytophthora]]'', the genus of the pathogen which the British government took advantage of to produce the great famine in Ireland, is Greek for "plant destroyer", which is pretty much what the organism does.
113	* The genus name for belladonna AKA deadly nightshade, ''Atropa'', means "inevitable", which is also the basis for Atropos, the last of The Fates.
114	* "Cancer" and "carcinoma" are derived from the Latin and Greek words for crab, respectively, due to tumors sometimes resembling crabs under the skin.
115	* UsefulNotes/TyrannosaurusRex literally means "Tyrant Lizard King", which is a pretty apt description of a 9 ton, 40 foot long reptilian super predator with jaws that could warp steel.
116	** It seems that palaeontologists have an unspoken rule that all dinosaurs in the Tyrannosauroid family need to have intimidating and badass Greco-Latin names. Honourable mentions include Moros ("Impending Doom"), Dynamoterror ("Powerful Terror"), Daspletosaurus ("Frightful Lizard"), Lythronax ("Gore King"), Nanotyrannus ("Small Tyrant"), Bistahieversor ("Bistahi Destroyer") and Teratophoneus ("Monster Murderer"). However, a recently discovered Tyrannosauroid from Canada might have the most intimidating name of them all: Thanatotheristes ("Death Reaper").
117	[[/folder]]

Context NamesToRunAwayFrom / AncientDeadLanguages