Elden Ring scholar makes a dictionary for every name in the RPG, somehow already including Shadow of the Erdtree, and it’s worthy of the Raya Lucaria library

Just in time for the DLC

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

AnElden Ringveteran has constructed an ‘Etymology Dictionary’ featuring every name inFromSoftware’s massive RPG, delving into their origins.

‘The Elden Ring Etymology Document’ is a massive undertaking fromThe Red Scholar, who has attempted to compile a complete list of every name in Elden Ring and analyze where around the world and at what point in human history the name could have possibly originated.

Take ‘Agheel’ for example, which is taken from the early-game boss Flying Dragon Agheel. The Elden Ring Etymology Document explains that the Agheel part of the name could be taken from the Northern Kurdish word ‘aghir,’ which translates to ‘fire,’ or the Latin word ‘aquila,’ which means ‘eagle’ in English.

The Red Scholar has even taken into account Elden Ring’s Japanese names for its characters. The Spirit Summon Aurelia, the big glowing jellyfish the player can summon, is actually called ‘Clara’ in Elden Ring’s Japanese release, and The Red Scholar reveals this is the feminine form of the Late Latin word ‘Clarus,’ which can be translated to either ‘clear,’ ‘bright,’ or ‘famous’ in English.

Actually, these Japanese names have proved an understandable challenge for The Red Scholar. As explained in the Etymology Document’s introduction, translating some Katakana from Japanese can be frustratingly ambiguous, as something like ‘ローレッタ’ can be read as either ‘Lorreta’ or ‘Roletta’ in English. Welcome to the incredibly complicated world of translating Japanese!

Brilliantly, the Etymology Document even features names forShadow of the Erdtree, despite the fact that the DLC has yet to be released. ‘Messmer,’ for example, from Messmer the Impaler, might relate to the German word ‘Messmer,’ which in English is the word ‘sexton,’ meaning a church official who tends to the church itself and a graveyard, possibly even doubling as a gravedigger.

The DLC section of the Etymology Document isn’t yet complete, though, which is entirely forgivable. Names like ‘Onze’ and ‘Ymir’ still need to be properly translated and researched, which is possibly where The Red Scholar’s helpers come in - there are 10 other names listed with thanks in the Etymology Document by its creator. There’ll probably be a lot more names to track down and analyze once Shadow of the Erdtree actually launches.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

If you’re desperate to know what to expect from the DLC when it launches tomorrow, check out our in-depthElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree reviewfor more. You can also read our guide onhow to start the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC in Elden Ringfor instructions on where to head as soon as the DLC is out.

Make sure to bookmark ourElden Ring DLC release timetracker for info on when Shadow of the Erdtree releases in your region around the world.

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

How to fix the Monster Hunter Wilds Black Screen glitch

As Monster Hunter Wilds PC players fight horrible polygons and struggle to hit 60 FPS, Capcom says the game is “already in a more improved state compared to the beta”

Fallout: New Vegas director on the “blessing” of working on the RPG: “I never thought I’d get a chance to work on Fallout [again]”