Are any of you playing VALORANT, the FPS game developed and operated by Riot Games? I've recently started playing it little by little after a friend invited me.
I've had trouble memorizing all the proper nouns that appear in the game. I usually look up the origin and etymology of new proper nouns and try to make connections to them, but there don't seem to be many websites that provide detailed summaries of VALORANT's character, weapon, and stage names.
Therefore, I created a list of origins and etymologies by researching the origins based on ChatGPT and supplementing it with information from the " Online Etymology Dictionary " and " Wiktionary." Since it's based on ChatGPT, there might be some inaccuracies, but since there doesn't seem to be much clear explanation from the official sources, I think it will be useful as a reference.
While you'll naturally learn things by playing the game, I think you'll learn a lot by understanding the world setting, source material, and English vocabulary, so please feel free to use this as a reference.
By the way, PIE is an abbreviation for Proto-Indo-European, which is the original language from which European and Indian languages originated. The etymology section is basically for language enthusiasts. I've also included links so you can learn more.
This article summarizes the origins of weapon (gun) names. For the origins of character (agent) names, abilities, and stages, please see separate articles.
The origin of the name "sidearm"
A "sidearm" is a combination of "side" and "arm," referring to a weapon carried as a secondary weapon rather than a primary one. It primarily refers to small firearms such as pistols. It's used as a backup when the primary weapon is unusable or when ammunition runs out. For example, it might be used for close-range surprise attacks or as an option in low-cost rounds (eco-rounds).
- Classical
"Classic" means "traditional" or "classic." In VALORANT, it's a pistol that holds a basic and reliable position as standard equipment, and its simple design is reflected in its name. - Shorty
"Shorty" means "small," and true to its name, it's designed as a compact shotgun. It's a weapon intended for use at close range. - Frenzy
"Frenzy" means "frenzy" or "excitement," and it describes the gun's characteristic of being able to fire rapidly. It is a weapon suitable for quick combat at short range. - Ghost
"Ghost" means "ghost," and like the Phantom, it symbolizes a quiet, stealthy gun suited for covert operations. The suppressed design, in particular, is fitting for the name "Ghost." - Sheriff
"Sheriff" is a term referring to a sheriff in the American West and symbolizes a powerful and accurate revolver. As the name suggests, the Sheriff is a revolver with extremely high single-shot power.
The origin of the name submachine gun
The "sub" in "submachine gun" means "auxiliary" or "small-scale," referring to a smaller version of a machine gun. First used after World War I, it was developed as a weapon that was easy for soldiers to handle and capable of rapid fire at short range. Its high rate of fire is advantageous in close to medium-range combat. It is effective in combat where soldiers are firing while moving, and its relatively low cost makes it a viable option in eco rounds.
- Stinger
"Stinger" means "something that stings," representing a small, fast-attacking creature like a bee or a scorpion. It's a submachine gun capable of rapid fire, making it suitable for close-range combat. - Spectre
"Spectre" means "ghost" or "phantom," but it doesn't have as clear a meaning as "ghost" or "phantom," instead referring to a more ambiguous and eerie presence. This submachine gun is characterized by its stealth capabilities and high rate of fire.
The origin of the name shotgun
The "shot" in "shotgun" here refers to the pellets. The name comes from the fact that it fires multiple small projectiles in a spread. While "shot" alone can be a verb meaning "to shoot" or a noun meaning "projectile," when combined with other words, it usually refers to a "shotgun." Originally developed as a hunting rifle, it's a weapon with high power at close range. It's particularly effective in close-quarters combat, such as ambushing enemies in confined spaces or around corners. It's especially useful for preventing enemy approaches during defense or against rushes.
- Bucky
"Bucky" is an abbreviation of "Buckshot." A "Buckshot" refers to a large lead projectile used in a shotgun. The projectile is larger than a birdshot. "Buck" means "male deer," so the original meaning is "a projectile used to kill a male deer." It is a weapon that is very powerful at close range, with multiple lead projectiles spreading over a wide area. - Judge
"Judge" means "judge" and is associated with the image of a powerful shotgun. It is a weapon that quickly "judges" opponents due to its high destructive power at close range.
The origin of the name "rifle"
The name "rifle" comes from the "rifling" inside the barrel. Rifling is a groove that imparts spin to the bullet, improving its range and accuracy. It emerged with the advancements in firearms technology in the 16th century. Suitable for medium to long-range combat, it offers high accuracy and damage. It is a well-balanced weapon and can be used in most situations. It is effective in both offensive and defensive roles.
- Bulldog
The "Bulldog" is named after the bulldog breed, reflecting its robust and reliable characteristics. With its short burst mode and overall ease of use, the Bulldog is a powerful gun worthy of its name. - Guardian
The "Guardian" means "guardian," and this weapon has an image of reliability and defense. It is a high-precision semi-automatic rifle that requires careful and precise shooting. - Phantom
" Phantom " means "ghost" or "phantom" in English. As the name suggests, the Phantom is a gun that gives the impression of being difficult for enemies to notice and acting silently, and its design with a suppressor is a perfect fit for this name. The etymology is PIE *bhā- "to shine". - Vandal
" Vandal " is related to vandalism and refers to "the act of deliberately destroying, damaging, or vandalizing the property of others." Its origin lies in the Vandals, one of the tribes that invaded the Western Roman Empire during the Great Migration of Germanic Peoples. The Vandals, who invaded North Africa and established the Vandal Kingdom, landed in Italy in 455 under King Gaiseric and destroyed Rome. The word "Vandal" itself is cognate with the English word " wander," meaning "a wandering people." It originates from PIE *we- "to blow, wind," and has evolved to mean going here and there like the wind.
The origin of the name "sniper"
This refers to a sniper rifle. The word "sniper" originates from 18th-century England and refers to the bird "snipe," or in Japanese, a sandpiper, especially a common snipe, and was used by hunters who targeted these birds. Snipers are fast-moving and difficult to target, and those who could shoot them were called "snipers." It is a sniper weapon that can take down an enemy with a single shot at long range. It is used for site defense and support from the rear, and is a high-risk weapon that can yield high rewards.
- Marshal
"Marshal" means "field marshal" or "commander," and as a sniper rifle, it is a weapon capable of precise sniping from long range. - Outlaw
"Outlaw" means "outlaw" or "rogue," especially referring to "outlaws" or "wanted criminals" in Westerns and the American frontier era. This sniper rifle is positioned somewhere between a marshal and an operator. The "outlaw" aspect might be that it takes down targets without face-to-face contact through sniping. Also, the fact that it can take down targets with a single shot to the torso or higher, even through a light shield, and is capable of rapid fire, might be what makes it unusual for a sniper rifle. - Operator
"Operator" means "operator" or "manipulator," evoking the image of a precise and professional sniper. This powerful sniper rifle is a weapon that requires the player to reliably eliminate targets from long range. Perhaps it means aiming for a single pick and manipulating the game.
The origin of the name machine gun
A "machine gun" refers to a firearm capable of automatic, rapid-fire. It emerged at the end of the 19th century and was widely used in World War I. Its characteristic feature is its high suppressive power due to its ability to fire large quantities of ammunition. Its high rate of fire and ammunition capacity make it useful for suppressing enemy groups or large areas. It is also effective as a means of keeping enemies at bay during defense, but caution is required when firing rapidly due to the difficulty in controlling recoil.
- Ares
"Ares" derives from Ares, the Greek god of war, and carries a powerful and aggressive image. This naming likely corresponds to Odin, shown below. This light machine gun is an aggressive weapon designed to overwhelm the enemy with a large amount of ammunition. Ares was originally a deification of the frenzy of battle, and was feared more as a raging god than a benevolent one. The original meaning comes from Ionian (a type of ancient Greek) and means "calamity, destruction." - Odin
"Odin" derives from Odin, the chief god of Norse mythology, and symbolizes powerful and overwhelming strength. In the game, it is a machine gun with extremely high firepower, and its overwhelming destructive power is befitting of the name Odin. The original meaning of Odin is "lord of madness, of the wrathful." He killed the primordial giant Ymir along with his brothers. In fact, the English word Wednesday, Wednes, comes from Woden, and is cognate with Odin. In other words, the original meaning is "Odin's day." In Rome, Roman gods were assigned to the days of the week, and Wednesday was Mercury (god of wisdom), "Mercurii dies," but the Germanic peoples who arrived later followed the culture and assigned Woden, who was also a god of wisdom and magic in Germanic mythology, to Wednesday.
