Name origins

FreeSpace took names for ships, weapons and even characters from numerous different real-life sources. The origins to these names are listed here. The items are listed alphabetically, disregarding class designations.

Individual Ships

GTD Amadeus

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a German 18th century composer.

GTD Aquitaine

Unlike most destroyers whose names come from mythology or are references to ancient civilizations, the Aquitaine has an English name. The Latin word would have been "Aquitania". Aquitania was a region of Gallia(now called France)

GTSC Asimov

Isaac Asimov was a science fiction writer, notable for his Foundation series of novels.

GTD Carthage

Carthage was the city completely destroyed by the Romans after three wars. Unlike many other Terran destroyers, this ship has an English name. In Latin, it would have been "Carthago"

GTS Charon

In Greek mythology, Charon was a ferryman that carried the souls of the dead across the rivers Styx and Acheron.

GTVA Colossus

The name "Colossus" was a common name, usually used for large statues. The warship, however, was probably named after one statue in particular, the Colossus of Rhodes. The statue represented the God Helios and is one of the Seven Wonders. The first mission in which the Colossus appears, in fact, is named The Sixth Wonder (sm1-08)

GTD Eisenhower

Dwight Eisenhower was the leader of the Allied forces during World War II and the 34th President of the United States (1953-1961).

GTI Enif Station

Enif is the common name of Epsilon Pegasi

GTD Galatea

Galatea, in Greek mythology, is the name for a statue carved out of ivory.

GTFr Nelson

Admiral Horatio Nelson led the English Royal Navy in the famous Battle for Trafalgar (1805).

GTC Orff

Carl Orff was a German composer.

GTSC Plato

Plato was an Ancient Greek mathematician and philosopher.

PVC Ramses

Ancient Egypt had 11 pharaohs named Ramses.