Wizard names run on Latin roots and earned epithets. Albus means white; Gandalf means wand-elf and is attested in the Edda. Here are 150 names for wizards: canon receipts, historical magi, and constructed builds.
Latin roots plus epithets, and the canon underneath. Names bold, glosses italic, tradition labeled. Canon and historical rows cite their sources; constructed builds say constructed.
Wizard names with their builds, meanings and traditions
Name
Built from
Meaning
Tradition
Merlin
attested whole
the mage; from Myrddin
Arthurian canon (Geoffrey of Monmouth)
Taliesin
attested whole
shining brow
Welsh bard tradition
Prospero
attested whole
fortunate, from Latin prosperus
The Tempest (1611)
Vainamoinen
attested whole
the sage of the songs
the Kalevala
Gandalf
gand (wand) + alf (elf)
wand-elf, attested in the Voluspa
Old Norse (Poetic Edda); Tolkien
Saruman
constructed from Old English roots
man of craft, per the author
Tolkien (documented coinage)
Radagast
attested whole
the brown wizard; source debated
Tolkien (documented coinage)
Albus
albus (white)
white
Latin; Rowling (documented coinage)
Dumbledore
attested whole
bumblebee, in English dialect
Rowling (documented coinage)
Severus
severus (strict)
strict
Latin; attested Roman cognomen; Rowling
Rincewind
attested whole
the coward who runs
Pratchett (Discworld)
Eskarina Smith
attested whole
the first female wizard
Pratchett, Equal Rites (1987)
Ged
attested whole
his true name stays hidden; Sparrowhawk in use
Le Guin (Earthsea)
Oz
attested whole
the humbug behind the curtain
Baum (1900)
Yennefer
attested whole
the sorceress of Vengerberg
Sapkowski (documented)
Raistlin Majere
attested whole
the archmage of the hourglass eyes
Weis and Hickman (Dragonlance)
Elminster
attested whole
the sage of Shadowdale
Forgotten Realms (documented)
Mordenkainen
attested whole
the game's own archmage
D&D (Gygax, documented)
Bigby
attested whole
the grasping-hand spells
D&D (documented)
Tenser
attested whole
the transformation spells
D&D (documented)
Harry Dresden
attested whole
the working wizard of Chicago
Butcher (documented)
Dr Strange
attested whole
the sorcerer of the sanctum
Marvel (documented canon)
Voldemort
vol (flight) + de + mort (death)
flight of death
Rowling (documented coinage)
Alatar
attested whole
one of the blue wizards
Tolkien (documented)
Pallando
attested whole
one of the blue wizards
Tolkien (documented)
John Dee
attested whole
the Elizabethan magus and astrologer
historical record (receipt)
Paracelsus
para (beyond) + Celsus
beyond Celsus, a pen-name
historical record (receipt)
Agrippa
attested whole
the occult author of the three books
historical record (receipt)
Nostradamus
attested whole
the quatrains' author
historical record (receipt)
Faust
attested whole
the doctor who bargained
the Faustbuch (1587); Marlowe
Koschei the Deathless
attested whole
the sorcerer who hid his death
Slavic folklore
Magus the Grey
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Grey
mage, from magus, the old order's servant
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus the White
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + the White
mage, from magus, conferred authority
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus the Wise
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Wise
mage, from magus, the counselor
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus the Blind
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Blind
mage, from magus, sight traded for sight
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus the Wandering
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Wandering
mage, from magus, the road-walker
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus of the Tower
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + of the Tower
mage, from magus, the tower-bound scholar
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus the Unseen
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Unseen
mage, from magus, passage unnoticed
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus the Quiet
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Quiet
mage, from magus, power unspoken
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus the Radiant
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Radiant
mage, from magus, light-bearing
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus of the Hollow Hill
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + of the Hollow Hill
mage, from magus, the hill court
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus the Pale
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Pale
mage, from magus, worn thin by study
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus the Ever-Watchful
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Ever-Watchful
mage, from magus, the sentinel
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus the Stormcrow
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Stormcrow
mage, from magus, the ill-omen bearer
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus the Gentle
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Gentle
mage, from magus, the healer's hand
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus of the Ninth Circle
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + of the Ninth Circle
mage, from magus, rank of mastery
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magus the Dread
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Dread
mage, from magus, the feared
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius the Grey
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Grey
mage, from magus, the old order's servant
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius the White
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the White
mage, from magus, conferred authority
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius the Wise
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Wise
mage, from magus, the counselor
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius the Blind
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Blind
mage, from magus, sight traded for sight
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius the Wandering
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Wandering
mage, from magus, the road-walker
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius of the Tower
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + of the Tower
mage, from magus, the tower-bound scholar
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius the Unseen
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Unseen
mage, from magus, passage unnoticed
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius the Quiet
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Quiet
mage, from magus, power unspoken
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius the Radiant
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Radiant
mage, from magus, light-bearing
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius of the Hollow Hill
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + of the Hollow Hill
mage, from magus, the hill court
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius the Pale
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Pale
mage, from magus, worn thin by study
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius the Ever-Watchful
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Ever-Watchful
mage, from magus, the sentinel
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius the Stormcrow
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Stormcrow
mage, from magus, the ill-omen bearer
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius the Gentle
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Gentle
mage, from magus, the healer's hand
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius of the Ninth Circle
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + of the Ninth Circle
mage, from magus, rank of mastery
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magius the Dread
Mag (mage, from magus) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Dread
mage, from magus, the feared
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian the Grey
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Grey
mage, from magus, the old order's servant
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian the White
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the White
mage, from magus, conferred authority
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian the Wise
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Wise
mage, from magus, the counselor
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian the Blind
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Blind
mage, from magus, sight traded for sight
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian the Wandering
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Wandering
mage, from magus, the road-walker
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian of the Tower
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + of the Tower
mage, from magus, the tower-bound scholar
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian the Unseen
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Unseen
mage, from magus, passage unnoticed
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian the Quiet
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Quiet
mage, from magus, power unspoken
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian the Radiant
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Radiant
mage, from magus, light-bearing
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian of the Hollow Hill
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + of the Hollow Hill
mage, from magus, the hill court
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian the Pale
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Pale
mage, from magus, worn thin by study
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian the Ever-Watchful
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Ever-Watchful
mage, from magus, the sentinel
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian the Stormcrow
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Stormcrow
mage, from magus, the ill-omen bearer
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian the Gentle
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Gentle
mage, from magus, the healer's hand
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian of the Ninth Circle
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + of the Ninth Circle
mage, from magus, rank of mastery
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magian the Dread
Mag (mage, from magus) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Dread
mage, from magus, the feared
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor the Grey
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Grey
mage, from magus, the old order's servant
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor the White
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the White
mage, from magus, conferred authority
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor the Wise
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Wise
mage, from magus, the counselor
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor the Blind
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Blind
mage, from magus, sight traded for sight
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor the Wandering
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Wandering
mage, from magus, the road-walker
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor of the Tower
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + of the Tower
mage, from magus, the tower-bound scholar
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor the Unseen
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Unseen
mage, from magus, passage unnoticed
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor the Quiet
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Quiet
mage, from magus, power unspoken
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor the Radiant
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Radiant
mage, from magus, light-bearing
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor of the Hollow Hill
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + of the Hollow Hill
mage, from magus, the hill court
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor the Pale
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Pale
mage, from magus, worn thin by study
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor the Ever-Watchful
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Ever-Watchful
mage, from magus, the sentinel
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor the Stormcrow
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Stormcrow
mage, from magus, the ill-omen bearer
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor the Gentle
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Gentle
mage, from magus, the healer's hand
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor of the Ninth Circle
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + of the Ninth Circle
mage, from magus, rank of mastery
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Magor the Dread
Mag (mage, from magus) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Dread
mage, from magus, the feared
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus the Grey
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Grey
hidden thing, from arcanum, the old order's servant
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus the White
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + the White
hidden thing, from arcanum, conferred authority
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus the Wise
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Wise
hidden thing, from arcanum, the counselor
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus the Blind
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Blind
hidden thing, from arcanum, sight traded for sight
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus the Wandering
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Wandering
hidden thing, from arcanum, the road-walker
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus of the Tower
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + of the Tower
hidden thing, from arcanum, the tower-bound scholar
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus the Unseen
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Unseen
hidden thing, from arcanum, passage unnoticed
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus the Quiet
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Quiet
hidden thing, from arcanum, power unspoken
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus the Radiant
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Radiant
hidden thing, from arcanum, light-bearing
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus of the Hollow Hill
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + of the Hollow Hill
hidden thing, from arcanum, the hill court
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus the Pale
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Pale
hidden thing, from arcanum, worn thin by study
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus the Ever-Watchful
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Ever-Watchful
hidden thing, from arcanum, the sentinel
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus the Stormcrow
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Stormcrow
hidden thing, from arcanum, the ill-omen bearer
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus the Gentle
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Gentle
hidden thing, from arcanum, the healer's hand
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus of the Ninth Circle
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + of the Ninth Circle
hidden thing, from arcanum, rank of mastery
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaus the Dread
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Dread
hidden thing, from arcanum, the feared
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius the Grey
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Grey
hidden thing, from arcanum, the old order's servant
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius the White
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the White
hidden thing, from arcanum, conferred authority
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius the Wise
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Wise
hidden thing, from arcanum, the counselor
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius the Blind
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Blind
hidden thing, from arcanum, sight traded for sight
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius the Wandering
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Wandering
hidden thing, from arcanum, the road-walker
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius of the Tower
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + of the Tower
hidden thing, from arcanum, the tower-bound scholar
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius the Unseen
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Unseen
hidden thing, from arcanum, passage unnoticed
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius the Quiet
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Quiet
hidden thing, from arcanum, power unspoken
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius the Radiant
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Radiant
hidden thing, from arcanum, light-bearing
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius of the Hollow Hill
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + of the Hollow Hill
hidden thing, from arcanum, the hill court
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius the Pale
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Pale
hidden thing, from arcanum, worn thin by study
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius the Ever-Watchful
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Ever-Watchful
hidden thing, from arcanum, the sentinel
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius the Stormcrow
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Stormcrow
hidden thing, from arcanum, the ill-omen bearer
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius the Gentle
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Gentle
hidden thing, from arcanum, the healer's hand
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius of the Ninth Circle
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + of the Ninth Circle
hidden thing, from arcanum, rank of mastery
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaius the Dread
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ius (Latin name-ending) + the Dread
hidden thing, from arcanum, the feared
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian the Grey
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Grey
hidden thing, from arcanum, the old order's servant
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian the White
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the White
hidden thing, from arcanum, conferred authority
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian the Wise
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Wise
hidden thing, from arcanum, the counselor
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian the Blind
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Blind
hidden thing, from arcanum, sight traded for sight
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian the Wandering
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Wandering
hidden thing, from arcanum, the road-walker
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian of the Tower
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + of the Tower
hidden thing, from arcanum, the tower-bound scholar
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian the Unseen
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Unseen
hidden thing, from arcanum, passage unnoticed
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian the Quiet
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Quiet
hidden thing, from arcanum, power unspoken
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian the Radiant
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Radiant
hidden thing, from arcanum, light-bearing
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian of the Hollow Hill
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + of the Hollow Hill
hidden thing, from arcanum, the hill court
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian the Pale
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Pale
hidden thing, from arcanum, worn thin by study
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian the Ever-Watchful
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Ever-Watchful
hidden thing, from arcanum, the sentinel
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian the Stormcrow
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Stormcrow
hidden thing, from arcanum, the ill-omen bearer
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian the Gentle
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Gentle
hidden thing, from arcanum, the healer's hand
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian of the Ninth Circle
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + of the Ninth Circle
hidden thing, from arcanum, rank of mastery
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaian the Dread
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + ian (Latin-derived ending) + the Dread
hidden thing, from arcanum, the feared
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaor the Grey
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Grey
hidden thing, from arcanum, the old order's servant
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaor the White
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the White
hidden thing, from arcanum, conferred authority
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaor the Wise
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Wise
hidden thing, from arcanum, the counselor
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaor the Blind
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Blind
hidden thing, from arcanum, sight traded for sight
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaor the Wandering
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Wandering
hidden thing, from arcanum, the road-walker
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaor of the Tower
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + or (Latin agent-ending) + of the Tower
hidden thing, from arcanum, the tower-bound scholar
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
Arcaor the Unseen
Arca (hidden thing, from arcanum) + or (Latin agent-ending) + the Unseen
hidden thing, from arcanum, passage unnoticed
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
What do wizard names mean?
The root says the discipline; the epithet says the reputation. Twelve meaning spotlights across the traditions:
Wizard name meanings spotlight
Name
Built from
Meaning
Tradition
Merlin
attested whole
the mage; from Myrddin
Arthurian canon (Geoffrey of Monmouth)
Prospero
attested whole
fortunate, from Latin prosperus
The Tempest (1611)
Gandalf
gand (wand) + alf (elf)
wand-elf, attested in the Voluspa
Old Norse (Poetic Edda); Tolkien
Albus
albus (white)
white
Latin; Rowling (documented coinage)
Dumbledore
attested whole
bumblebee, in English dialect
Rowling (documented coinage)
Severus
severus (strict)
strict
Latin; attested Roman cognomen; Rowling
Paracelsus
para (beyond) + Celsus
beyond Celsus, a pen-name
historical record (receipt)
Faust
attested whole
the doctor who bargained
the Faustbuch (1587); Marlowe
Magus the Grey
Mag (mage, from magus) + us (Latin name-ending) + the Grey
mage, from magus, the old order's servant
Latin root + epithet (constructed build)
How do wizard names work?
Root of learning, Latin shape, epithet the world gave him. Magus the Grey parses three ways, and every constructed row above does the same. The craft lesson lives on the how to name a character page; this is the wizard chapter.
What are wizard last names?
Epithets replace surnames, and schools name their own. Six with their senses:
Wizard epithets and school forms with their senses
Form
What it marks
Receipt
the Grey, the White, the Brown
rank in an order
the Tolkien canon
of the Tower
a fixed seat of study
the tower-bound figure
of the Ninth Circle
rank of mastery
the game convention
the + trait
the world's verdict
the Wise, the Unseen
headmaster, archmage
office titles
the school canon
house names
the school's founder lines
the founder-house pattern
The epithet-rank table
Epithets are ranks the world votes on. No one styles themselves the Grey: the world does it after watching. The strong canons treat the name change as a plot beat, because the rank change is one:
Epithet ranks with canon receipts
Rank
Holder
How the canon says it was earned
the Grey
Gandalf
centuries of quiet service
the White
Gandalf, later
return after the fall
the Brown
Radagast
the nature-keeping order
of the Ninth Circle
the game convention
the spell-circle ladder
the Stormcrow
Gandalf's byname
unwelcome news, arriving anyway
headmaster
Albus Dumbledore
an office worn like an epithet
Where wizard names come from
Four shelves: the old roots, the literary canon, the historical magi, the constructed builds. Each labeled per row:
The same Latin grammar; the canon supplies the receipts. Eskarina Smith of Equal Rites is the documented female wizard, Yennefer the sorceress. Constructed builds like Stellara the Radiant read either way: the epithet does the work, the Latin stays neutral.
What is the most famous wizard name?
Merlin, by reach; Gandalf, close behind. Merlin descends from Myrddin via Geoffrey of Monmouth. Gandalf is attested in the Poetic Edda's dwarf list as wand-elf, a name Tolkien borrowed whole. Both receipts are in the table above.
Why do wizard names use Latin?
Because the medieval wizard wrote in Latin. Albus, Severus, Draco: the modern canon reaches for real Latin senses, and the glosses are dictionary glosses. Latin gives the register of learning, and the epithet gives the legend.
Where the meanings come from.Latin senses are dictionary glosses; canon and historical names carry their sources, from the Edda's dwarf list to the Elizabethan magus. Constructed builds say constructed. Where every name's receipt comes from →