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Grimm: Etymology
To be added onto or altered.
Every Grimm has two names—its common name (the one used in casual conversation) and its scientific name (the one used either by academics, or by those who want to be specific about the creature they’re describing). The names consist mostly of portmanteaus, puns, allusions to real-life concepts, and one-to-ones of their source inspiration (like mythological creatures).
These names are more or less exclusively for the benefit of the reader, seeing as a character in RWBY wouldn’t know Greek or Latin, or have any idea who Beowulf is. Regardless, we still have to call the Grimm something.
To see the list of all Grimm species and the concepts, animals, or mythical creatures they were based on, click here.
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ALABASTET Scientific Name: Mauropanthera pardus Translation: “black leopardine panther”
Etymology 1: Alabastet is a portmanteau of the words alabaster (a white mineral) and Bastet (an Egyptian deity with the head of a cat). The word alabaster is thought to be derived from the Ancient Egyptian a-labaste, “vessel of Bast.”
Etymology 2: From the Greek words μαυρός (maurós), mauro-, “black,” + πάνθηρ (pánthēr), “panther.” From the Greek word πάρδος (párdos), “leopard.”
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ANDRAS Scientific Name: Argyrostrix obsidens Translation: “haunting silver owl”
Etymology 1: The Andras is named for an owl-headed demon in the Ars Goetia.
Etymology 2: From the Greek word ἄργῠρος (árguros), “silver,” + the Latin word strī̆x, “owl.” From the Latin word obsidēns, “haunting.” Its scientific name references the owl Grimm bested by the silver-eyed woman from the fairytale The Warrior in the Woods.
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APATHY Scientific Name: Lorem ipsum Translation: “pain itself”
Etymology 1: The word apathy (a lack of emotion or motivation) comes from the French word apathie, derived from Latin apathīa and Greek ἀπάθεια (apátheia), “insensibility; freedom from emotion.”
Etymology 2: From the Latin word dolor (acc. dolōrem), “pain.” From the Latin word ipse (acc. ipsum), “itself.” The binomen is derived from the lorum ipsum, a type of placeholder text often used in graphic design. When the Apathy is first mentioned in Bartleby’s journal, the text that appears on the page is a version of the lorem ipsum.
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ATTERCOP
Scientific Name: Arthrodeimos repens Translation: “crawling jointed terror”
Etymology 1: Attercop is the Middle English word for “spider,” derived from a compound of Old English ātor “poison” and copp “head.”
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ἄρθρον (árthron), “joint,” + δειμός (deimós), “terror.” From the Latin word rēpēns, “creeping, crawling.”
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AUROCHS
Scientific Name: Brontotaurus septimus Translation: “seventh thunder bull”
Etymology 1: The Aurochs’ namesake is an extinct species of wild cattle (Bos primigenius) once native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
Etymology 2: From the Greek word βροντή (brontḗ), bronto-, “thunder,” + the Latin word taurus, “bull.” From the Latin word septimus, “seventh.” The number references the seventh labor of Hercules: capturing the Cretan Bull, father of the Minotaur.
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BANDERSNATCH
Scientific Name: Ammognathus leo Translation: “sand-jaw lion”
Etymology 1: The Bandersnatch draws inspiration from the creature of the same name in Lewis Carroll’s nonsense poem, “Jabberwocky.” Described as a swift beast with snapping jaws, it seemed appropriate to name a Grimm (based on a larval antlion) after it.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words άμμος (ámmos), “sand,” + γνάθος (gnáthos), -gnathus, “jaw.” From the Latin word leo, “lion.”
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BASILISK
Scientific Name: Maurosaurus aquacurrens Translation: “black water-running lizard”
Etymology 1: The Basilisk is named after the eponymous creature of European mythology, and based on the animal (Basiliscus basiliscus) of the same name.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words μαυρός (maurós), mauro-, “black,” + σαῦρος (saûros), -saurus, “lizard.” From the Latin words aqua, “water,” + currēns, “running.”
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BEOWOLF
Scientific Name: Sarcocanis umbricola Translation: “shadow-dwelling flesh-wolf”
Etymology 1: Beowolf is a portmanteau of Beowulf (the hero of the eponymous Anglo-Saxon epic poem) and wolf. Amusingly, the word bēowulf (“bee-hunter” or “battle-wolf”) is likely a kenning for “bear” or “woodpecker,” and has little to do with actual wolves.
Etymology 2: From the Greek word σάρξ (sarx), sarco-, “flesh,” + the Latin word canēs, (acc. canis), “wolf.” From the Latin words umbra, “shadow,” + [i-] + the suffix -cola (prs. ind. colō), “dweller.”
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BERINGEL
Scientific Name: Daemopithecus nox Translation: “demon night-ape”
Etymology 1: Beringel is a reference to the scientific name of the eastern gorilla, Gorilla beringei.
Etymology 2: From the Latin word dēmos, “demon,” + the Greek word πιθηκος (pithekos), -pithecus, “ape.” From the Latin word nox, “night.”
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BLIND WORM
Scientific Name: Cyclognathus caecus Translation: “blind circle jaw”
Etymology 1: The Blind Worm’s name is entirely descriptive of its physical appearance (its lack of eyes and vaguely vermiform shape).
Etymology 2: From the Greek words κύκλος (kúklos), cyclo-, “circle,” + γνάθος (gnáthos), -gnathus, “jaw.” From the Latin word caecus, “blind.”
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BOARBATUSK
Scientific Name: Hyocalydon gyrans Translation: “gyrating Calydonian boar”
Etymology 1: In addition to being a compound of boar and tusk, its name is likely a reference to the babirusa, a genus of wild pigs.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ὗς (hûs), hyo-, “pig,” + Καλυδών (Kaludṓn), an allusion to the Calydonian boar. From the Latin word gȳrāns, “rotating.”
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CAPYRE
Scientific Name: Photiachrios irruens Translation: “charging fire ram”
Etymology 1: Capyre is a portmanteau of the Latin word capra, a genus of goats, and pyre, the Greek word for fire. Additionally, Capyre is a pun of the word caper, a lively jumping or kicking movement (in particular, a motion performed by hoofed animals).
Etymology 2: From the Greek words φωτιά (fotiá), “fire,” + κρῑός (krīós), “ram.” From the Latin word irruēns, “charging.”
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CENTINEL
Scientific Name: Scolopendrakon custos Translation: “dragon-centipede guard”
Etymology 1: Centinel is a pun of the words centipede and sentinel.
Etymology 2: From the Latin word scolopendra, “centipede,” + the Greek word δρᾰ́κων (drákōn), “dragon.” From the Latin word cū̆stōs, “guard.”
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CHIMERA
Scientific Name: Ailuropteryx polyops Translation: “many-faced winged cat”
Etymology 1: The Chimera is named after the eponymous creature of Greek mythology.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words αἴλουρος (aílouros), ailuro-, “cat,” + πτέρυξ (ptérux), -pteryx, “wing.” From the Greek words πολύς (polús), poly-, “many” + ὤψ (ṓps), “face.”
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COCKATRICE
Scientific Name: Calcatrix phallodont Translation: “phallus-tooth tracker”
Etymology 1: The Cockatrice is named after the eponymous creature of English mythology.
Etymology 2: From the Old French word cocatriz, “cockatrice,” derived from Late Latin calcātrīx, “she who treads upon something.” From the Greek words φαλλός (phallós), phallo-, “phallus,” + ὀδών (odṓn), -odon, “tooth.” Its scientific name is a play-on-words (phallus > cock + -dont > tooth = “cockbite”; Rooster Teeth).
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CREEP
Scientific Name: Lepiderpeton octonyx Translation: “eight-clawed scaly creeping thing”
Etymology 1: Despite their vague reptilian appearance and resemblance to terror birds and other large theropods, the Creep canonically lacks an animal equivalent. Its name, in addition to describing its overall appearance, is perhaps a nod to how creepy it is that it doesn’t have an animal counterpart (unlike most other Grimm).
Etymology 2: From the Greek words λεπίς (lepís), lepido-, “scaly, scaled,” + ὲρπετον (herpeton), -erpeton, “creeping thing.” From the Greek words ὀκτώ (oktṓ), octo-, “eight,” + ονυξ (onux), -onyx, “claw.”
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DEATH STALKER
Scientific Name: Osteostega aculaureata Translation: “little golden-needled bony plate”
Etymology 1: The Death Stalker’s name is a reference to its real-life counterpart, Leiurus quinquestriatus.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ὀστέον (ostéon), osteo-, “bone,” + στέγη (steg'e), -stega, “roof, plate.” From the Latin words acula, “a small needle,” + aurea, “golden,” + -āta, an adjective suffix equivalent to English -ed.
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DREADNOUGHT
Scientific Name: Bathycetus ossifragus Translation: “bone-shattering deep-whale”
Etymology 1: The Dreadnought is based on the 20th-century battleship of the same name, that (when taken literally) means “fear nothing.”
Etymology 2: From the Greek words βαθύς (bathús), bathy-, “deep,” + κῆτος (kētos), -cetus, “sea monster” or “whale-like creature.” From the Latin word ossifragus, “bone-breaking.”
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DROMEDON
Scientific Name: Erimolania virosputans Translation: “venom-spitting desert wanderer”
Etymology 1: The Dromedon’s name is a reference to its real-life counterpart, Camelus dromedarius.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words έρημος (érimos), “desert,” + ἀλαίνειν (alaínein), -lania, “wanderer.” From the Latin words vīrus, viro-, “venom,” + spūtāns, “spitting.”
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ELEGY
Scientific Name: Carmen cygni Translation: “swan song”
Etymology 1: An elegy is a poem or song that expresses sorrow, melancholy, or grief for the dead.
Etymology 2: From the Latin term carmen cygni, “swan song,” a metaphorical term for a final gesture or effort given before death.
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ELYTRAP
Scientific Name: Entomocheirus tardus Translation: “late hand-bug”
Etymology 1: The elytra are the hardened forewing sheaths found in certain insect orders, notably beetles. The second part of the portmanteau, trap, relates to its ability to trap its victims.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ἔντομον (éntomon), entomo-, “insect,” + χείρ (kheír), -cheirus, “hand.” From the Latin word tardus, “late.” Given the lack of canon information for this Grimm, it was named in reference to how Cinder summoned it (through her hand), and because Qrow was too late to save Amber.
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ENFIELD
Scientific Name: Ailuraetus lycipes Translation: “wolf-footed cat-eagle”
Etymology 1: The Enfield is named after the eponymous creature of Irish heraldry.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words αἴλουρος (aílouros), ailuro-, “cat,” + ᾱ̓ετός (āetós), “eagle.” From the Greek word λύκος (lúkos), “wolf,” + the Latin word pēs, “foot.”
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FELIFIEND
Scientific Name: Anthrovenator felinus Translation: “catlike human-hunter”
Etymology 1: The Felifiend’s name comes from a portmanteau of Latin fēlēs (gen. fēlis) “cat” and English fiend (derived from the Old English word fēond “enemy”).
Etymology 2: From the Greek word ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos), anthro-, “human” + the Latin word vēnātor, “hunter.” From the Latin word fēlīnus, “feline.”
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FEN FEILONG
Scientific Name: Cetioserpens palustris Translation: “sea serpent monster of the marsh”
Etymology 1: The first part of its name, fen (marsh, wetland), refers to the environment it lives in. Fēilóng (from Chinese 飛龍) translates to “flying dragon.”
Etymology 2: From the Greek word κῆτος (kētos), cetio-, “sea monster” or “whale-like creature,” + the Latin word serpēns, “snake.” From the Latin word palustris, “of the marsh.”
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FLOTSAM
Scientific Name: Carcharianax leucodon Translation: “white-toothed shark king”
Etymology 1: Flotsam refers to any sunken vessel whose goods float on the surface as the result of a wreck.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words κάρχαρος (kárkharos), carcharo-, “sharp, shark,” + ἄναξ (ánax), -anax, “king.” From the Greek word leucodon (leukós + odṓn), “white toothed.”
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GEIST
Scientific Name: Eidolarion formafurans Translation: “little form-stealing phantom”
Etymology 1: A word imported from German, meaning “ghost” or “spirit.”
Etymology 2: From the Greek words εἴδωλον (eídōlon), “phantom,” + ᾰ́ρῐον (árion), -arion, “little.” From the Latin words fōrma, “form, shape,” + fūrāns, “stealing.”
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GOLIATH
Scientific Name: Archaeotherium vagum Translation: “ancient wandering beast”
Etymology 1: Named for the Philistine giant in the Book of Samuel who was defeated by King David. The lowercase goliath, adopted into Modern English, acquired the secondary meaning of “abnormally large or powerful.”
Etymology 2: From the Greek words άρχάίος (archaios), archaeo-, “ancient,” + θηρῐ́ον (thēríon), -therium, “beast.” From the Latin word vagus, “wandering.”
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GRENDEL
Scientific Name: Aglaeca umbrambulans Translation: “shadow-walking opponent”
Etymology 1: In the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf, Grendel is the first of the three monsters that the protagonist defeats.
Etymology 2: From the Old English word āglǣċa, “formidable opponent” or “ferocious fighter.” From the Latin words umbra, “shadow,” + ambulāns, “walking.” Beowulf frequently substitutes Grendel’s name with either titles like āglǣċa, or descriptions of his behavior, like sceadugenga, “shadow-walker.”
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GRIFFON
Scientific Name: Gryps sciopterus Translation: “shadow-winged gryphon”
Etymology 1: “Griffon” is an alternative spelling of the eponymous monster of Greek mythology.
Etymology 2: From the Latin word gryps, “gryphon,” borrowed from Greek γρῡ́ψ (grū́ps). From the Greek word σκιά (skiá), “shadow,” + [o-] + the Latin word pterus, “winged.”
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GRIMALKIN
Scientific Name: Noctifelis procellipes Translation: “storm-footed night-cat”
Etymology 1: The Grimalkin’s name is a pun of the English word grimalkin (from grey + malkin, an archaic term for a cat) and the Creatures of Grimm.
Etymology 2: From the Latin words nox (gen. noctis), “night,” + fēlēs (gen. fēlis), “cat.” From the Latin words procella, “storm,” + [i-] + pēs, “foot.”
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HAOZHENJIU
Scientific Name: Acanthystrix decidua Translation: “deciduous spiny porcupine”
Etymology 1: Haozhenjiu is a romanized portmanteau of the Chinese words 豪豬 (háozhū), “porcupine,” and 針灸 (zhēnjiǔ), “acupuncture.”
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ἄκανθα (ákantha), acantho-, “spine,” + ὕστριξ (hústrix), “porcupine.” From the Latin word dēciduus, “deciduous; falling down or off.”
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HARTLESS
Scientific Name: Elapholania magna Translation: “great wandering deer”
Etymology 1: Hartless is a pun of the words hart (a male deer, usually a red deer or a related species) and heartless (ruthless; lacking in compassion).
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ἔλᾰφος (élaphos), “red deer,” + ἀλαίνειν (alaínein), -lania, “wanderer.” From the Latin word magnus, “great.”
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HELLCAT
Scientific Name: Trocholeon polypodes Translation: “many-footed wheel-lion”
Etymology 1: The Hellcat’s name is a compound of the words hell and cat, with hell having a genitive function (hellish cat, cat of/from hell). Its name also directly alludes to its source of inspiration, Buer.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words τροχός (trokhós), “wheel” + λέων (léōn), “lion.” From the Greek words πολύς (polús), poly-, “many” + πόδες (pódes), “feet.” The word “lionwheel” was taken from here.
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HELLHOUND
Scientific Name: Stygiocyon pictus Translation: “painted stygian dog”
Etymology 1: The Hellhound’s name refers to any number of supernatural creatures that resemble dogs. By far the most well-known is Cerberus of Greek mythology, although hellhounds are found more commonly in Northern European mythology (such as Barghest, Cŵn Annwn, and Gytrash).
Etymology 2: From the Greek words Στῠ́γῐος (stúgios), “stygian,” + κύων (kúon), -cyon, “dog.” From the Latin word pictus, “painted.”
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HOBBESGOBLIN
Scientific Name: Mauropanthera tigris Translation: “black tigrine panther”
Etymology 1: The Hobbesgobblin’s name is a play-on-words of English hobgoblin (a malevolent spirit), and a nod to the tiger Hobbes from the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. Etymology 2: From the Greek words μαυρός (maurós), mauro-, “black,” + πάνθηρ (pánthēr), “panther.” From the Greek word τίγρις (tígris), “tiger.”
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HYDRA
Scientific Name: Deronatrix polycephala Translation: “many-headed persisting water-snake”
Etymology 1: The Hydra is named after the eponymous creature of Greek and Roman mythology.
Etymology 2: From the Greek prefix dero-, “persisting,” possibly descended from the word δῐαρκής (diarkḗs), “lasting, endless,” + the Latin word nātrīx, “water-snake.” From the Greek words πολύς (polús), poly-, “many,” + κεφαλή (kephalḗ), “headed.”
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IMP
Scientific Name: Bestiola bucculenta Translation: “large-mouthed little beast”
Etymology 1: The Imp is named after the eponymous creature of European mythology.
Etymology 2: From the Latin word bēstiola, “little beast.” From the Latin word bucculentus, “having a large mouth.”
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ISBJORN
Scientific Name: Pagarctos eburneus Translation: “ivory ice-bear”
Etymology 1: Isbjorn is a borrowing of the Norwegian word isbjørn, “polar bear,” minus the diagonal slash on the o.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words πάγος (págos), “ice,” + ᾰ̓́ρκτος (árktos), “bear.” From the Latin word eburneus, “ivory-colored.”
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JACKALOPE
Scientific Name: Lagoceras herrickorum Translation: “Herricks’ horned hare”
Etymology 1: The Jackalope is named after the eponymous creature of North American folklore.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words λαγώς (lagos), lago-, “hare,” + κέρας (kéras), -ceras, “horn.” From the patronym Herricks’, formed with the Latin genitive masculine plural suffix -ōrum. The species is named after the Herrick brothers, who created the first taxidermy hoax of a jackalope in the 1930s.
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JETSAM
Scientific Name: Syntrivichthys hyponaus Translation: “shatter-fish [that dwells] under ships”
Etymology 1: Jetsam refers to any floating cargo that’s deliberately jettisoned from a ship.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words συντρίβω (syntrívo), “shatter,” + ἰχθῦς (ikhthûs), -icthys, “fish.” From the Greek words ὑπό (hupó), hypo-, “under,” + ναῦς (naûs), “ship.”
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JUGGERNAUT
Scientific Name: Canonautilus latens Translation: “lurking cannon nautiloid”
Etymology 1: Named for the Hindu god Jagannath, an abstract representation of Krishna (one of the ten avatars of Vishnu). The lowercase juggernaut, adopted into Modern English, acquired the secondary meaning of “a literal or metaphorical force regarded as overwhelming or unstoppable.” Juggernaut is also a pun of the words juggernaut and nautilus.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words κανόνι (kanóni), “cannon,” + ναυτίλος (nautílos), “sailor; a genus of pelagic mollusks.” From the Latin word latēns, “lurking.”
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KING TAIJITU
Scientific Name: Basiliscophis dicephalus Translation: “two-headed emperor snake”
Etymology 1: The King Taijitu’s name is based on the Taoist principle of yin and yang, taken literally from Chinese 太極圖 (meaning “great pole”). The first part of its name, king, is a reference to the eastern kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula), which shares the King Taijitu’s monochrome color scheme.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words βασιλεύς (basileús), “king,” + ὄφῐς (óphis), “snake.” From the Greek words δύο (dúo), di-, “two,” + κεφαλή (kephalḗ), “headed.” Incidentally, the word “basilisk” is derived from βασιλίσκος (basilískos), “little king.”
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LAGARTODILE
Scientific Name: Stipesuchus necis Translation: “crocodilian murder-log”
Etymology 1: Lagartodile is a possible portmanteau of the Spanish word lagarto “lizard” and crocodile.
Etymology 2: From the Latin word stīpes, “log,” + the Greek word σοῦχος (soûkhos), -suchus, “crocodilian.” From the Latin word nex (gen. necis), “murder.” The term murder log, which was popularized by memes, is an example of a modern kenning for crocodile or alligator.
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LAMENTIA
Scientific Name: Selachobates arenicolus Translation: “sand-dwelling shark wanderer”
Etymology 1: Lamentia is a portmanteau of lament, “a passionate expression of grief or sorrow,” and the Greek word λάμια (lámia), a kind of shark.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words σέλαχος (sélakhos), “shark,” + βαίνω (baínō), -bates, “wanderer.” From the Latin word arenicolus, “sand-dwelling.”
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LANCER
Scientific Name: Vespiturba falcifer Translation: “hook-bearing bee-mob”
Etymology 1: The Lancer is named for its ability to fire its stinger as a tethered projectile, and impale objects or people from afar.
Etymology 2: From the Latin words vespa, “wasp,” + turba, “mob” or “swarm.” From the Latin word falcifer, “hook-bearing.” The scientific name is descriptive of both its social behavior (travelling in swarms) and its primary means of attack.
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LEPICE
Scientific Name: Lagochion boreicola Translation: “north-dwelling snow-hare”
Etymology 1: Lepice is a portmanteau of the Latin word lepus “rabbit, hare” and the English word ice.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words λαγώς (lagos), lago-, “hare,” + χῐών (khiṓn), “snow.” From the Latin words boreās, “north,” + the suffix -cola (prs. ind. colō), “dweller.”
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LEVIATHAN
Scientific Name: Cetiostega borealis Translation: “northern roofed sea monster”
Etymology 1: Named for the sea serpent in the Hebrew Bible. The lowercase leviathan, adopted into Modern English, acquired the secondary meaning of “great whale” or “sea monster.”
Etymology 2: From the Greek words κῆτος (kētos), cetio-, “sea monster” or “whale,” + στέγη (stégē), -stega, “roof.” From the Latin word boreālis, “northern.”
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LONG TONGUE
Scientific Name: Hastalingua aliena Translation: “unfamiliar spear-tongue”
Etymology 1: The Long Tongue’s name is entirely descriptive of its physical appearance (its stretchy, chameleon-esque tongue).
Etymology 2: From the Latin words hasta, “spear, lance,” + lingua, “tongue.” From the Latin word aliēna, “unfamiliar.”
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MANTICORE
Scientific Name: Ailuropteryx caudicens Translation: “stinging-tailed winged cat”
Etymology 1: The Manticore is named after the eponymous creature of Persian mythology.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words αἴλουρος (aílouros), ailuro-, “cat,” + πτέρυξ (ptérux), -pteryx, “wing.” From the Latin words cauda, “tail,” + īcēns, “stinging.”
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MEGOLIATH
Scientific Name: Cryotherium atliensis Translation: “Atlesian ice beast”
Etymology 1: Megoliath is a portmanteau of Greek μέγας (mégas), mega-, “great, large, mighty” and Goliath, an elephantine Grimm that it shares a superficial resemblance to.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words κρύος (krúos), cryo-, “ice,” + θηρῐ́ον (thēríon), -therium, “beast.” From the Latinized stem atl-, + the toponymic suffix -iēnsis.
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MESMEREYES
Scientific Name: Maurhipidura matiphoros Translation: “black fan-tail bearing evil eyes”
Etymology 1: Mesmereyes is a pun of the words mesmerize “to hold someone’s attention to the exclusion of all else,” and eyes. So named because the eyespots on its peacock-like tail can hypnotize people and render them immobile.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words μαυρός (maurós), mauro-, “black,” + ῥιπίδος (rhipídos), “fan,” + οὐρά (ourá), “tail.” From the Greek words μάτι (mati), “evil eye,” + φόρος (fóros), -phoros, “bearing.”
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MONSTRA
Scientific Name: Beluacetus volans Translation: “flying whale-monster”
Etymology 1: Named for the man-eating whale Monstro from the 1940 film Pinocchio. Unlike the movie adaptation, the sea creature from the original 1883 book The Adventures of Pinocchio was called the Terrible Dogfish and based on a species of shark.
Etymology 2: From the Latin word bēlua, “monster, beast,” + the Greek word κῆτος (kētos), -cetus, “sea monster” or “whale-like creature.” From the Latin word volāns, “flying.”
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MORTIPOSA
Scientific Name: Skoros luciphagus Translation: “light-eating moth”
Etymology 1: Mortiposa is a pun of the Latin word mors (acc. mortem) “death” and the Spanish word mariposa “butterfly.”
Etymology 2: From the Greek word σκόρος (skóros), “moth.” From the Latin word lūx (gen. lūcis), “light,” + the Greek word φάγος (phágos), -phagus, “eat.”
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NECROMANCER
Scientific Name: Secariinsectum cadavifer Translation: “corpse-bearing assassin-bug”
Etymology 1: While not depicted in the spelling of the name, Necromancer was intended as a sort-of mondegreen. The original word necromancer (from Greek nekromanteía, divination of the dead) can be misheard as “necrom antser”—vaguely relating to dead ants. This reinterpretation of the word refers to the animal this Grimm was based on, the assassin bug (Acanthaspis petax), whose nymph form camouflages itself in ant carcasses.
Etymology 2: From the Latin words sīcārius, “assassin,” + īnsectum, “insect.” From the Latin words cadāver, “corpse,” + [i-] + the adjective suffix -fer (prs. ind. ferō), “bearing.”
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NEEDLEBACK
Scientific Name: Echinaranea scrupulosa Translation: “spiny spider full of sharp stones”
Etymology 1: The Needleback’s name is entirely descriptive of its physical appearance (the stalagmite-esque protrusions on its back that resemble urticating hairs).
Etymology 2: From the Greek word ἐχῖνος (ekhînos), echino-, “hedgehog, sea urchin” with the derived meaning “spiny,” + the Latin word arānea, “spider.” From the Latin word scrūpulōsa, “full of sharp stones.”
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NEMAGI
Scientific Name: Dasyptoma mephitis Translation: “foul-smelling shaggy corpse”
Etymology 1: Nemagi is an anagram of the word enigma. The reshuffling of enigma relates to the often-inscrutable appearance of globsters. The pronunciation of its name, in particular -agi, is meant to allude to serpent-like figures from South Asian mythology (nagi).
Etymology 2: From the Greek words δασύς (dasús), dasy-, “shaggy,” + πτῶμα (ptôma), -ptoma, “corpse.” From the Latin word mephitis, “bad odor.” The description of its overall appearance is a nod to @nomiqbomi‘s concept of a globster.
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NEVERMORE
Scientific Name: Infernavis corvinus Translation: “crow-like hell-bird”
Etymology 1: The name is an allusion to Edgar Allan Poe’s narrative poem “The Raven,” in which a distraught man is visited by a raven that repeatedly says the word “Nevermore.”
Etymology 2: From the Latin words īnfernus, “hellish, infernal,” + avis, “bird.” From the Latin word corvīnus, “corvine, of or relating to crows and ravens.”
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NIGHTMARE
Scientific Name: Bellomen raptans Translation: “marauding war omen”
Etymology 1: Nightmare is a pun of the words nightmare (a horrific dream) and mare (a female horse.)
Etymology 2: From the Latin words bellum, “war,” + ōmen, “omen; portent.” From the Latin word raptāns, “ravaging.”
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NUCKELAVEE
Scientific Name: Teratohippus longibrachiatus Translation: “long-armed horse-monster”
Etymology 1: The Nuckelavee is named after the eponymous creature of Orcadian mythology.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words τέρας (téras), terato-, “monster,” + ἵππος (híppos), -hippus, “horse.” From the Latin words longus, longi-, “long,” + brachium, “arm,” + the Latin suffix -ātus, an adjective suffix equivalent to English -ed.
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OUROBOA
Scientific Name: Cyclophion fodiens Translation: “digging circle-snake”
Etymology 1: Ouroboa is a portmanteau of ouroboros, an Egyptian-Hellenistic depiction of a serpent eating its own tail, and boa, a family of snakes.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words κύκλος (kúklos), cyclo-, “circle,” + ὄφῐς (óphis), “snake.” From the Latin word fodiēns, “digging.”
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PARALYKEET
Scientific Name: Electropsitta candida Translation: “shining white electric parrot”
Etymology 1: Paralykeet is a portmanteau of paralysis, the loss of mobility, and parakeet, a small or medium-sized species of parrot.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ἤλεκτρον (ḗlektron), electro-, “amber, electricity,” + ψιττακός (psittakós), -psitta, “parrot.” From the Latin word candida, “shining white” or “brightly white.”
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PERYTON
Scientific Name: Elaphopteryx borgesi Translation: “Borges’ winged deer”
Etymology 1: The Peryton is named after the eponymous creature of (alleged) Atlantean mythology.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ἔλᾰφος (élaphos), “red deer,” + πτέρυξ (ptérux), -pteryx, “wing.” From the patronym Borges’, formed with the Latin genitive masculine singular suffix -i. The species is named after Jorge Luis Borges, who first created and described perytons in his 1957 Book of Imaginary Beings.
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PESTILOUSE
Scientific Name: Aspidentomon chiliades Translation: “thousands of shielded bugs”
Etymology 1: Pestilouse is a portmanteau of the words pestilence (a fatal plague or epidemic) and louse.
Etymology 2: From the Greek word ἀσπίς (aspís), aspido-, “shield,” + ἔντομον (éntomon), -entomon, “insect.” From the Latin word chīliadēs (sing. chīlias), “thousands.”
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PREYING MANTIS
Scientific Name: Kopidocheirus acutus Translation: “sharpened knife-hand”
Etymology 1: Preying Mantis is a homophone of praying.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words κοπίς (kopís), a short forward curved sword, + χείρ (kheír), -cheirus, “hand.” From the Latin word acutus, “sharpened, pointed.”
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RAVAGER
Scientific Name: Mimochiroptera confluens Translation: “flocking bat-mimic”
Etymology 1: The Ravager is named for its viciousness, and its ability to tear victims apart in large numbers.
Etymology 2: From the Latin word mīmus, mimo-, “mimic,” + the translingual word chiroptera, “bat.” From the Latin word cōnfluēns, “flocking.”
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ROTWEILER
Scientific Name: Haemocyon morbifer Translation: “disease-carrying blood dog”
Etymology 1: Rotweiler is a pun of rottweiler, a breed of domestic dog, and rot, the process of decaying.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words αἷμα (haîma), haemo-, “blood,” + κύων (kúon), -cyon, “dog.” From the Latin word morbifer, “carrying disease.” Its name reflects its ability to transmit Auratic diseases as a plague-type Grimm.
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SABYR
Scientific Name: Xiphodontoides atrum Translation: “dull black sword-like tooth”
Etymology 1: Sabyr is an artistic misspelling of the word saber, the specialized canine teeth of Smilodon.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words nξίφος (xíphos), “sword” + ὀδών (odṓn), -odont, “tooth” + εἶδος (eîdos), -oides, “likeness.” From the Latin word ātrum, “dull black.”
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SCAPEGOAT
Scientific Name: Tragos apopompaios Translation: “goat sent out”
Etymology 1: The scapegoat is a person, group, country, or similar collective entity that’s falsely blamed, and bears the negative consequences.
Etymology 2: From the Greek term tragos apopompaios, “goat sent out,” the Judaeo-Christian practice of sacrificing one of the goats in a pair while allowing the scapegoat to flee into the wilderness, taking its sins and impurities with it.
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SEA FEILONG
Scientific Name: Cetioserpens fulminatus Translation: “lightning-bearing sea serpent”
Etymology 1: The first part of its name, sea (a body of saltwater), refers to the environment it lives in. Fēilóng (from Chinese 飛龍) translates to “flying dragon.”
Etymology 2: From the Greek word κῆτος (kētos), cetio-, “sea monster” or “whale-like creature,” + the Latin word serpēns, “snake.” From the Latin word fulminātus, “lightning-bearing.”
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SEAFRET
Scientific Name: Caligopontus cantans Translation: “singing fog sea-god”
Etymology 1: The Seafret is named after a meteorological formation known as haar or sea fret, a cold marine fog—so called because this Grimm can produce fog from specialized apertures on its back. Its name is a further play-on-words of its ability to mimic the cries of shipwrecked survivors calling for help, causing the listener to fret, or worry. The Seafret’s vocal mimicry and seal-like appearance allude to both selkies and sirens.
Etymology 2: From the Latin word cālīgō, “fog, mist,” + the Greek word Πόντος (Póntos), a god of the sea. From the Latin word cantāns, “singing.”
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SEER
Scientific Name: Xenomedusa coronata Translation: “crowned strange medusa”
Etymology 1: Named for its resemblance to a crystal ball, and the two-way communication link it can form with other Seers that’s reminiscent of scrying.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ξένος (xénos), xeno-, “strange, alien,” + Μέδουσα (Médousa), -medusa, “the non-polyp form of cnidarians.” From the Latin word coronata, “crowned.”
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SPHERE FISHER
Scientific Name: Velocentrus grex Translation: “swarming fast sting”
Etymology 1: The first part of its name, sphere, is a homophone of spear (as in, a spear fisher) while also referencing a bait ball (a type of swarming formation used by small schooling fish).
Etymology 2: From the Latin word velox, velo(ci)-, “speed,” + the Greek word κέντρον (kéntron), “sting.” From the Latin word grex, “swarm.” The suffix -centrus is borrowed from the second half of the genus Pygocentrus, to which several species of piranha belong, including the famous red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri).
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SPHINX
Scientific Name: Ailuropteryx major Translation: “great winged cat”
Etymology 1: The Sphinx is named after the eponymous creature of Egyptian mythology.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words αἴλουρος (aílouros), ailuro-, “cat,” + πτέρυξ (ptérux), -pteryx, “wing.” From the Latin word māior, “great.”
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STOLAS
Scientific Name: Pallastrix oculofurax Translation: “eye-thieving Athenian owl”
Etymology 1: The Stolas is named for a long-legged owl demon in the Ars Goetia.
Etymology 2: From the Greek word Παλλάς (Pallás), an epithet of Athena, + the Latin word word strī̆x, “owl.” From the Latin words oculus, oculo-, “eye,” + fūrāx, “thieving.” Its scientific name references the owl Grimm bested by the silver-eyed woman from the fairytale The Warrior in the Woods.
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SUCHIAN
Scientific Name: Rypansuchus flens Translation: “weeping polluting crocodilian”
Etymology 1: Suchian, derived from the Greek word σοῦχος (soûkhos), is a generic term to describe any species of crocodilian or crocodilian-like organism.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ρύπανση (rýpansi), “pollution,” + σοῦχος (soûkhos), -suchus, “crocodilian.” From the Latin word flēns, “weeping, crying.” The Suchian’s ability to secrete toxins from the gland-like organs beneath its eyes is based on the idiom “crocodile tears.”
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SULFUR FISH
Scientific Name: Pyrura coacervans Translation: “amassing fire-tail”
Etymology 1: Sulfur Fish is a pun of the words sulfur, a flammable nonmetal element, and silverfish (Lepisma saccharinum), a small, wingless insect.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words πῦρ (pûr), pyro-, “fire,” + οὐρά (ourá), “tail.” From the Latin word coacervāns, “amassing, gathering together, piling up.”
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SWARMER
Scientific Name: Pantomenos asticum Translation: “all urban might”
Etymology 1: The Swarmer is named for its intraspecific social behavior and its method of killing.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words παντ- (pant-), pant-, “all,” + [o-] + μένος (ménos), “might, power, force.” From the Latin word asticum, “urban.”
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TERRAPIN
Scientific Name: Cryptochelon insulensis Translation: “cryptic island turtle”
Etymology 1: The Terrapin’s name refers to both terrapins (an English borrowing of the Algonquian torope, “little turtle”) and the Latin prefix terra-, “earth.” The Terrapin is based on the various World Turtle mythemes, and to some extent the lion turtles from A:TLA.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words κρυπτός (kruptós), crypto-, “hidden,” + χελώνη (khelṓnē), -chelys, -chelon, “tortoise.” From the Latin word īnsulēnsis, “pertaining to islands.”
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TERYX
Scientific Name: Erythropteryx velox Translation: “swift red wing”
Etymology 1: Teryx comes from the Greek suffix meaning “wing.”
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ἐρυθρός (eruthrós), erythro-, “red,” + πτέρυξ (ptérux), -pteryx, “wing.” From the Latin word velox, “speed.”
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TIAMAT
Scientific Name: Lampsichthys dolichosomatus Translation: “long-bodied light-fish”
Etymology 1: The Tiamat is named after the eponymous god of Mesopotamian mythology. Despite modern portrayals of Tiamat depicting her as a dragon, a more accurate description of her appearance is that of a “glistening” sea serpent.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words λαμπάς (lampás), “torch, light, beacon,” + ἰχθῦς (ikhthûs), -ichthys, “fish.” From the Greek words δολῐχός (dolikhós), dolicho-, “long,” + σῶμα (sôma), “body,” + the Latin suffix -ātus, an adjective suffix equivalent to English -ed.
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TSAVO
Scientific Name: Mauropanthera leo Translation: “black leonine panther”
Etymology 1: The Tsavo gets its name from the Tsavo man-eaters, a pair of lions that preyed upon construction workers on the Kenya-Uganda Railway in 1898.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words μαυρός (maurós), mauro-, “black,” + πάνθηρ (pánthēr), “panther.” From the Greek word λέων (léōn), “lion.”
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TYPHANG
Scientific Name: Thyellophis auriactans Translation: “air-slinging storm-serpent”
Etymology 1: Typhang is a portmanteau of typhoon (a tropical cyclone) and fang.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words θύελλα (thúella), “storm,” + ὄφῐς (óphis), “snake.” From the Latin words aura, “air,” + iactāns, “casting, throwing, slinging.”
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TYRANT
Scientific Name: Hesperomyrmex purgamenticeps Translation: “refuse-headed western ant”
Etymology 1: Tyrant is a pun of the words tyrant and ant.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ἕσπερος (hésperos), hespero-, “western,” + μύρμηξ (múrmēx), -myrmex, “ant.” From the Latin words pūrgāmentum, “filth, dirt, refuse,” + the suffix -ceps (derived from caput), “headed.”
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URSA
Scientific Name: Hylarctos phloivorous Translation: “sap-eating forest bear”
Etymology 1: The Ursa’s name comes from the constellation the Great Bear (Ursa Major).
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ὕλη (húlē), hyl-, “forest,” + ἄρκτος (arktos), “bear.” From the Greek word φλόος (phlóos), “husk, bark,” but more specifically referring to the ground tissue that conducts sucrose, + [i-] + the Latin suffix -vorus, “eating, devouring.” The name is a misnomer in that it doesn’t refer to the Ursa’s diet, but rather the fact that it is endemic to Forever Fall, which is known for its vibrant red sap (phloem).
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USERPER
Scientific Name: Ceratophion venans Translation: “horned hunting snake”
Etymology 1: Userper is a pun of the words usurper and serpent.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words κεράστης (kerastēs), a flexible horned serpent of Greek legend, + ὄφῐς (óphis), “snake.” From the Latin word vēnāns, “hunting, pursuing.”
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VIROVULTR
Scientific Name: Auredax solfur Translation: “Aura-devouring sun-thief”
Etymology 1: Virovultr is a portmanteau of the words viron (a misspelling of virion) and vulture, here stylized as vultr. Its name reflects its ability to transmit Auratic diseases as a plague-type Grimm.
Etymology 2: From the Latin words aura, “air,” + edāx, “consuming.” From the Latin words sōl, “sun,” + fūr, “thief.”
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WARVERINE
Scientific Name: Psychragrimion atrox Translation: “savage frozen little wild animal”
Etymology 1: Warverine is a portmanteau of the words war and wolverine.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ψυχρός (psukhrós), psychro-, “cold, frozen,” + αγρίμι (agrími), “wild animal,” + ᾰ́ρῐον (árion), -arion, “little.” From the Latin word atrōx, “savage.”
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WHISP
Scientific Name: Phasmafax mendax Translation: “false ghost-fire”
Etymology 1: Whisp is an alternative spelling of wisp, taken from will-o’-the-wisp, an atmospheric ghost light common in European mythology.
Etymology 2: From the Greek word φάσμα (phásma), “ghost,” + the Latin word fax, “fire.” From the Latin word mendāx, “false.”
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WOJTEK
Scientific Name: Vounarctos incendiarius Translation: “incendiary mountain-bear”
Etymology 1: The Wojtek is named after a Syrian brown bear purchased by soldiers from the Polish II Corps during World War II. When the Corps was reassigned to fight in the Italian campaign, the unit circumvented the restriction on mascots and pets by enlisting Wojtek as a private. During the Battle of Monte Cassino, Wojtek helped transport 100-pound crates of ammunition, and was promoted to the rank of corporal.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words βουνό (vounó), “mountain,” + ἄρκτος (arktos), “bear.” From the Latin word incendiārius, “incendiary.”
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WRINGWYRM
Scientific Name: Echidnascolex constrictor Translation: “constricting snake-worm”
Etymology 1: Wringwyrm is a pun of the words wring (to squeeze or twist something), wyrm (Old English for “worm,” “snake,” or “dragon”), and ringworm (a fungal infection of the skin). Its name reflects its ability to transmit Auratic diseases as a plague-type Grimm, in addition to its preferred means of attack (wringing out or constricting its victim).
Etymology 2: From the Greek words ἔχιδνα (ékhidna), “adder, viper,” + σκώληξ (skṓlēx), “worm.” From the Latin word cōnstrictor, “that which constricts.”
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WYVERN
Scientific Name: Euophis dinostomatus Translation: “terrible-mouthed true dragon”
Etymology 1: The Wyvern is named after the eponymous creature of Northwestern European mythology.
Etymology 2: From the Greek words εύ (eu), eu-, “true,” + ὄφῐς (óphis), “serpent,” with the acquired meaning “dragon.” From the Greek words δεινος (deinos), dino-, “terrible, formidable,” + στόμᾰ (stóma), “mouth,” + the Latin suffix -ātus, an adjective suffix equivalent to English -ed.
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ZIRAPH
Scientific Name: Laquelingua tricephala Translation: “three-headed snare-tongue”
Etymology 1: Ziraph is an outdated Middle English spelling of giraffe, which bears closer resemblance to its Arabic origins (زرافة zarāfah).
Etymology 2: From the Latin words laqueus, “snare,” + lingua “tongue.” From the Greek words τρία (tría), tri-, “three,” + κεφαλή (kephalḗ), “headed.”
