Apologies if this has previously been answered, but can anybody explain to me how the Space Marine naming system works?

Are the names listed in the DW Book given to recruits upon acceptance into a Chapter, or are they simply their birth names? The latter would seem to work for Chapters such as the Space Wolves who recruit from a single planet/culture, but less so for other like the Dark Angels who now recruit widely (not from Caliban where their names originate).

In the Horus Heresy books, the Luna Wolves have names that they are referred to formally (e.g. Loken), but also have what are essentially forenames, which they use in informal settings (e.g. Garviel). Would the former be names granted by their Chapter, while the latter are birth names?

Thanks for any input.

I think it depends on the Chapter (annoying, but the truth). I can imagine Black Templars giving new recruits new names when they join, just as nuns and monks are given new names when they join their brother/sisterhood. Meanwhile, Chapters like the Dark Angels, Space Wolves, and others, I'd imagine that they would be allowed to keep their birth name if they wanted, but would equally be allowed to change it if they wanted.

harlokin said:

I think you've pretty much got it - Chapters that recruit from a single or limited selection of worlds seem to allow neophytes to retain their original names (indeed, in some cases, it may even be preferred - on the worlds collectively known as Ultramar, it's considered a matter of great prestige to have a family member accepted to join the Ultramarines, and names are a key part in tracking that lineage), while secretive and/or fleet based chapters (Dark Angels and Black Templars, for example) may grant a new name, representing the neophyte leaving behind their old lives and starting new ones - indeed, the Dark Angels background includes a quote from Supreme Grand Master Azrael to that effect. Some Chapters merge the two ideas - the Space Wolves grant names and titles (the line between which is blurry at best) based on accomplishments or traits a Marine displays, which accompany rather than replace their original name, for example.

In short, it'll vary from Chapter to Chapter.