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Most of the names of the Primarchs' homeworlds have some definite origin. Except for Macragge.

Where does this name come from? Although not a homeworld, I'm curious about Kiavahr as well.

inb4 no need to mention the etymology of the names of the other homeworlds

Someone through random syllables together anf got Macragge.

I always thought it was the word "Crag" with some crap added onto it.

I've got nothing. So many of the early and long-lasting names in 40K were either clearly jokes (Corvus Corax leading the Raven Guard, Ferrus Manus of the Iron Hands, etc....), straight up lifts from history, using names of friends or playtesters, or just made up from nothing in particular.

Don't think I've ever seen an explanation of "Macragge" so I'll just chalk it up to the Ultramarine creators knowing some guy with the Scottish last name Macrae and making use of it.

My completely unsourced, rampant speculation to explain "Kiavahr?" Sticking with the quasi-Native American theme for Corvus Corax they picked the name of a native tribe out of a book and "Futurized it." Thus Kiowa becomes Kiavahr.

 Coldstream wrote:
I've got nothing. So many of the early and long-lasting names in 40K were either clearly jokes (Corvus Corax leading the Raven Guard, Ferrus Manus of the Iron Hands, etc....), straight up lifts from history, using names of friends or playtesters, or just made up from nothing in particular.

Don't think I've ever seen an explanation of "Macragge" so I'll just chalk it up to the Ultramarine creators knowing some guy with the Scottish last name Macrae and making use of it.

My completely unsourced, rampant speculation to explain "Kiavahr?" Sticking with the quasi-Native American theme for Corvus Corax they picked the name of a native tribe out of a book and "Futurized it." Thus Kiowa becomes Kiavahr.

Kiowa sounds close enough. Though "vahr" sounds German.

ooh, Scottish Ultramarines? That's a new one.

Maximus Bitch wrote:


Kiowa sounds close enough. Though "vahr" sounds German.

ooh, Scottish Ultramarines? That's a new one.

You should go back and see all the names of the various "Ultra-Marines" when they made their first WD appearance.

Pretty sure there was one named "Christo Columbo" or something like that.

40K was a little more....slapdash....back then.

McRae + Crag + RAGE = Macragge

Macragge anagrams:

Cage Gram
Grace Mag
Cream Gag
Crag Mega
Crag Game
Cram Gage
A Crag Gem
A Cram Egg
Cam Gag Re
Mac Gag Re
Arc Gag Em
Arc Gag Me
Arc Am Egg
Arc Ma Egg
Car Gag Em
Car Gag Me
Car Am Egg
Car Ma Egg
Gag Am Rec
Gag Ma Rec

Make whatever you will out of this

I always figured it meant 'big rocks' (macro-crag). Or maybe 'seriously that time of the month' (macro-rag).

GW team were in McDonalds' and ate McRage burgers.

 Hawky wrote:
GW team were in McDonalds' and ate McRage burgers.

what?

Maximus Bitch wrote:

 Hawky wrote:
GW team were in McDonalds' and ate McRage burgers.

what?

It's like a McRib, but angrier.

Maximus Bitch wrote:

 Hawky wrote:
GW team were in McDonalds' and ate McRage burgers.

what?

I tought it was pronounced differently. My bad.
Today's enlightment: "rage" =/= "ragge" in terms of pronounciation.

Have a pleasant day.

I always thought it sounded scottish.... but didn't really think past that.

As a side note, the designation of the Ultramarines empire as Ultramar has a real history connection. Ultramar was the French term for the Crusader states in the Holy Land.

 Zakiriel wrote:
As a side note, the designation of the Ultramarines empire as Ultramar has a real history connection. Ultramar was the French term for the Crusader states in the Holy Land.

"Outremer" was the French word but pretty much the same concept as the Latiny Ultramar.

Maximus Bitch wrote:
Where does this name come from?

I think it came from a dirty limerick about a woman called Maggie Macragge

 VorpalBunny74 wrote:

Maximus Bitch wrote:
Where does this name come from?

I think it came from a dirty limerick about a woman called Maggie Macragge

By far the most likely reason posted in the thread so far. Got a link it a book reference for the limerick? Kinda wanna read it now

 Furyou Miko wrote:
By far the most likely reason posted in the thread so far. Got a link it a book reference for the limerick? Kinda wanna read it now

Oh, I made it up

There once was a filthy back alley,
Where lived a girl called Maggie Macragge
With the utmost of care
She'd PURGED BY THE INQUISITION

 Zakiriel wrote:
As a side note, the designation of the Ultramarines empire as Ultramar has a real history connection. Ultramar was the French term for the Crusader states in the Holy Land.

... they're called the Ultramarines because the color of their armor is Ultramarine Blue (and, no, GW did not invent that color). It's a very tongue-in-cheek reference.

Macbugger's week on Macragge! Crispy tyrannofex legs. MMMM i'm loving it.

 Psienesis wrote:

 Zakiriel wrote:
As a side note, the designation of the Ultramarines empire as Ultramar has a real history connection. Ultramar was the French term for the Crusader states in the Holy Land.

... they're called the Ultramarines because the color of their armor is Ultramarine Blue (and, no, GW did not invent that color). It's a very tongue-in-cheek reference.

No, he's correct. There is a reference to the French term. You are right in that they are named for their armour. But he's also right in his analogy.

It's almost as if without being drawn from two origins with similar sounds, their name wouldn't be a pun!

 Furyou Miko wrote:
It's almost as if without being drawn from two origins with similar sounds, their name wouldn't be a pun!

Early GW was not above either obscure references or bad jokes. It’s entirely possible that it started with the historical note, and them someone said “It would be funny if we made them blue to match their name!” and they ran with it.

But that’s just me speculating.

Yes, that was the point.

Just like Horus' name being unrelated to his Legion's theme.