55 Legendary Axe Names from Mythology, Games, and Fantasy
The axe holds a unique place among legendary weapons. Unlike the sword—weapon of kings and aristocracy—the axe is humanity's oldest companion in the art of severance. It predates warfare itself, serving first as a tool to shape civilization before being turned to battle.
When an axe is named, it carries heavier symbolic weight than any blade. The axe is the weapon of the executioner, the dwarf, the barbarian, and the revolutionary. It represents the "Thunderstone"—the chthonic power of the earth and raw, unrefined force of nature. From the storm-calling Parashu of Hindu mythology to the demon-haunted Snaga of fantasy literature, named axes speak to those who carve their own destiny.
This comprehensive list presents 55 legendary axes from world mythology, classic literature, tabletop RPGs, and video games. Each entry includes the axe's origin, wielder, special properties, and the meaning behind its name.
Norse and Germanic Mythology
The Viking Age saw the axe elevate from farm tool to terrifying weapon. Named axes in Norse tradition are rare, making each recorded example exceptionally significant—often linking the wielder to death and the underworld.
Hel
Named after the Norse goddess of death. Wielded by St. Olaf and later Magnus the Good. The axe that Christianized Norway bore the name of pagan death—to be struck by it was to be sent to the underworld.
Origin: Norse/Historical
Forseti's Golden Axe
A golden axe wielded by the god of justice. Used to steer ships and create springs of water—a tool of salvation rather than destruction. Inverts the typical weapon-of-war trope.
Origin: Frisian/Germanic
The Mammen Axe
A ceremonial axe so distinctive it named an entire art style. Iron inlaid with silver, depicting both Christian and pagan imagery—a physical manifesto of Scandinavian religious transition.
Origin: Viking (10th Century Denmark)
Skeggøx
"Bearded Axe" in Old Norse. The iconic Viking weapon type that could hook shields and limbs. Represents the transition from woodcutter's tool to fearsome weapon.
Origin: Norse
Greek and Classical Mythology
In the Mediterranean, axes symbolize divine authority—particularly associated with storm gods and matriarchal priesthoods. The axe blade was seen as the physical form of lightning.
Labrys
The sacred double-axe of Minoan Crete. Uniquely gynocentric—held almost exclusively by women and goddesses. Represents duality, balance, and matriarchal power. The word may be linked to "Labyrinth."
Origin: Minoan/Greek
Pelekys
Zeus's thunder-weapon. The double-axe transformed from symbol of creation (Minoan) to symbol of the storm strike (Greek). The blade represents the physical form of lightning.
Origin: Greek
Hephaestus's Axe
The axe that birthed Athena by splitting Zeus's skull. A tool of surgical precision—the smith god used a weapon of brute force to perform a life-giving operation. The axe as obstetric instrument.
Origin: Greek
The Golden Axe
From Aesop's fable of Hermes and the Woodcutter. Functions as a moral test—the honest woodcutter's refusal of the valuable golden axe earns him both gold and silver versions. Root of the "golden upgrade" trope.
Origin: Greek (Aesop)
Eastern and World Mythology
Outside Europe, the axe frequently appears as a tool of cosmogony—creation myths where axes literally split chaos to form the world.
Pangu's Axe
The ultimate "Creation Axe." The primordial giant Pangu used it to split the cosmic egg of chaos—light rose to form heavens, darkness sank to form earth. The axe that imposed order on non-existence.
Origin: Chinese (Daoist)
Parashu
"The Axe of Dharma." Divine weapon of Parashurama, sixth avatar of Vishnu. Four cutting edges, gifted by Shiva. Used to exterminate corrupt warriors twenty-one times. Later thrown into the ocean to create Kerala's coastline.
Origin: Hindu
Chaac's Lightning Axe
The Mayan rain god Chaac strikes clouds with this axe to release water. The axe is the mechanism of fertility—without the violent strike, no rain falls. Links the axe to serpent deity K'awiil.
Origin: Mayan
Oshe Shango
A double-headed axe staff of the Yoruba thunder god. The two heads represent Shango's capricious nature—power that strikes friend or foe if disrespected. Linked to "thunderstones" (ancient axes found in earth).
Origin: Yoruba (African)
Ukonkirves
Thunder-axe of Ukko, the Finnish sky god. Similar to Thor's hammer in function—stone axes found in the ground were believed to be Ukko's thunderbolts.
Origin: Finnish
Axe of Perun
Thunder weapon of the Slavic sky god Perun. Worn as protective amulets. Represents the eternal battle between the sky god and the serpent of chaos.
Origin: Slavic
Tolkien's Middle-earth
Tolkien treated axes with high reverence, associating them not just with Dwarves but with the great heroes of Men. Each named axe carries deep etymological meaning in Tolkien's constructed languages.
Dramborleg
"Thudder-Sharp" in Sindarin (Dram = heavy blow, Bor = fist, Leg = sharp). Wielded by Tuor at the Fall of Gondolin. Uniquely described as striking "both a heavy dint as of a club and cleft as a sword."
Origin: Tolkien (First Age)
Durin's Axe
The crown jewels of the Longbeard Dwarves, passed from Durin the Deathless through generations. Lost when Balin's expedition to Moria failed. Symbolizes dwarven heritage and kingship.
Origin: Tolkien (Khazad-dûm)
Baruk Khazâd
"Axes of the Dwarves" in Khuzdul. The dwarven battle-cry. While not a single weapon, it represents the collective might of dwarven axe-warriors.
Origin: Tolkien (Khuzdul)
Fantasy Literature
Modern fantasy authors have created some of the most psychologically complex axes in fiction—weapons with dark intelligence, tragic curses, and costs that mirror the violence they inflict.
Snaga
"The Sender" in the Nadir tongue. Druss the Legend's demon-possessed axe. Grants telepathic warnings and berserker strength but drinks souls and threatens madness. The magic is a parasitic infection.
Origin: David Gemmell (Drenai Saga)
Perrin's Axe
Deliberately unnamed. Perrin Aybara's weapon represents rejected violence—he hates it because he's terrifyingly skilled with it. Eventually abandoned to forge Mah'alleinir (hammer), choosing creation over destruction.
Origin: Robert Jordan (Wheel of Time)
Mah'alleinir
"He Who Soars" in the Old Tongue. Perrin's hammer that replaced his axe. Linguistically connected to Mjolnir, suggesting cyclical time—the axe becomes the myth of the hammer.
Origin: Robert Jordan (Wheel of Time)
Dungeons & Dragons
D&D artifacts require mechanical stats, translating into hyperbolic lore. Many named axes are sentient, with their own personalities, goals, and the ability to reject unworthy wielders.
Azuredge
Sentient battleaxe forged by Archmage Ahghairon. Glows blue, returns when thrown, devastates undead. Loyal to Waterdeep's defense—refused to function when its wielder was possessed by an Intellect Devourer.
Origin: D&D (Forgotten Realms)
Whelm
Sentient warhammer from White Plume Mountain (often grouped with dwarf-axes). Detects giants and goblins, creates shockwaves. Compels wielder to kill traditional dwarven enemies.
Origin: D&D (Greyhawk)
Axe of the Dwarvish Lords
Legendary artifact that can transform the wielder into a dwarf. Symbol of ultimate dwarven kingship. Grants immunity to poison and mastery of dwarven crafts.
Origin: D&D
Berserker Axe
Cursed weapon that induces uncontrollable rage. The wielder can't willingly part with it and must attack the nearest creature when damaged. Represents the axe as corruption rather than power.
Origin: D&D
World of Warcraft
WoW's axes often represent pivotal moments in Azeroth's history—weapons that killed gods, freed peoples from demonic corruption, or defined entire cultures.
Gorehowl
The Hellscream family axe. Killed the demon Mannoroth twice—freeing orcs from blood corruption. Produces a distinctive howling sound from notches in the blade. Symbolizes orcish duality: bloodlust and redemption.
Origin: World of Warcraft
Shadowmourne
Sister blade to Frostmourne, forged from Saronite (Old God blood) and souls. Created to destroy Arthas's sword by walking the edge of damnation. Represents using dark tools for righteous ends.
Origin: World of Warcraft
Axe of Cenarius
Wooden axe wielded by Broxigar the Red. The only mortal weapon to wound the titan Sargeras. Made from the World Tree's heartwood, demonstrating that "lesser" materials can achieve godslaying through righteousness.
Origin: World of Warcraft
God of War
The Leviathan Axe represents a masterpiece of ludonarrative design—its mechanics reinforce Kratos's character journey from chaos to controlled purpose.
Leviathan
Forged by the Huldra Brothers as a counter to Thor's Mjolnir. Frost magic vs lightning. The recall mechanic symbolizes Kratos's grounded responsibility—the axe always returns, like his duty to his son.
Origin: God of War (2018)
Blades of Chaos
Though swords, they contrast with Leviathan. Chained (bound by past), fire (rage), chaotic swings vs the axe's precise, returnable throws. Kratos uses both, accepting his past while building his future.
Origin: God of War
The Elder Scrolls
Skyrim's axes often carry dark histories—genocidal artifacts, cursed bargains, and the weight of ancient hatreds crystallized in steel.
Wuuthrad
"Storm's Tears" in Atmoran. Ysgramor's elf-slaying axe. Deals bonus damage to all elven races. A genocidal artifact revered by Nords but representing the slaughter of the Snow Elves.
Origin: Elder Scrolls (Skyrim)
The Rueful Axe
Given by Daedric Prince Clavicus Vile to "cure" lycanthropy—it "cured" the afflicted by killing her. A Monkey's Paw weapon: beautiful but intentionally slow. The name warns of the Trickster God's cruel humor.
Origin: Elder Scrolls (Skyrim)
Dawnguard Rune Axe
Anti-undead weapon that grows stronger the more undead it slays. Represents the Dawnguard's holy mission against vampires.
Origin: Elder Scrolls (Skyrim)
Warhammer
Warhammer takes the axe and adds motors (40K chainaxes) or demonic possession (Fantasy). These weapons embody the settings' grimdark philosophy—power always comes at a cost.
Gorechild
Angron's chainaxe, now wielded by Khârn the Betrayer for 10,000 years. Teeth made from Mica-Dragon silica. Represents the "Butcher's Nails"—technological enforcement of rage.
Origin: Warhammer 40K
Gorefather
Twin to Gorechild. Angron wielded both before ascending to Daemon Prince. Lost in battle, its current location unknown—a prize for any Chaos warlord.
Origin: Warhammer 40K
Axe of Morkai
Taken from a Chaos Champion and purified by Logan Grimnar. Symbolizes the Space Wolves' dangerous flirtation with darkness and their resistance through sheer will.
Origin: Warhammer 40K
Axe of Grimnir
Master Rune Axe wielded by Slayer Gotrek Gurnisson. Indestructible and increasingly powerful. Gotrek's doom is tied to finding a worthy death—the axe keeps preventing it.
Origin: Warhammer Fantasy
Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem axes often carry curses or prophecies. The weapon triangle makes axes powerful against lances, and many sacred axes trade power for tragic fates.
Armads
The Thunder Axe, one of the legendary weapons of Elibe. Cursed so that whoever wields it will die in battle, never in peace. Hector accepts this fate to help his friends.
Origin: Fire Emblem: Blazing Blade
Hauteclere
Named after Oliver's sword in the Song of Roland. A rare case of a legendary sword name becoming an axe in gaming. Wielded by Princess Minerva.
Origin: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
Urvan
Greil's axe, inherited by Ike. Represents the mercenary legacy and a father's sacrifice. One of the strongest axes in its game.
Origin: Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Wolf Beil
"Wolf Axe" in German. Anti-cavalry weapon exclusive to Hector. Represents his role as the aggressive, direct fighter compared to his friend Eliwood.
Origin: Fire Emblem: Blazing Blade
Dark Souls and Elden Ring
FromSoftware axes emphasize weight and commitment. Their legendary axes often belonged to fallen knights or corrupted lords, carrying the tragedy of their previous wielders.
Black Knight Greataxe
Wielded by knights scorched fighting demons. The fire damage they absorbed warped their weapons. Represents noble warriors transformed by duty into something inhuman.
Origin: Dark Souls
Stormhawk Axe
Nepheli Loux's weapon with Lightning Ash of War. Represents the "storm hawk" spirit she invokes—fitting for the daughter of Godfrey.
Origin: Elden Ring
Godrick's Axe
The grafted axe of the demigod Godrick. Symbol of his obsession with grafting stronger parts onto himself. The dragon head attachment represents his desperate bid for power.
Origin: Elden Ring
Historical and Folklore
Real axes that became legendary through historical events or cultural significance. These weapons shaped history and became symbols of their wielders' legacies.
Jeanne Hachette's Hatchet
The "Citizen's Axe." In 1472, Jeanne Laisné grabbed a hatchet, scaled ramparts, and cut down a Burgundian flag-bearer, rallying the defense of Beauvais. Symbol of French resistance and female valor.
Origin: French History
Tower Executioner's Axe
The state's edge. Heavy, utilitarian, devoid of romance. Used for beheadings at the Tower of London. Represents the finality of treason and royal justice.
Origin: English History
Paul Bunyan's Axe
The giant lumberjack's massive axe. Now a college football trophy between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Sublimates ancient warfare (capturing enemy weapons) into modern sport.
Origin: American Folklore
Francisca
Frankish throwing axe so associated with its people that it may have given "France" its name. Thrown to disrupt enemy formations before the charge.
Origin: Frankish/Medieval
Lizzie Borden's Axe
The alleged murder weapon from the infamous 1892 case. "Lizzie Borden took an axe..." became American dark folklore. Represents domestic horror and unsolved mystery.
Origin: American True Crime/Folklore
Other Video Games
Axes across gaming history—from classic arcade games to modern RPGs. Each represents different approaches to axe mythology and mechanics.
The Golden Axe
The titular artifact from Sega's classic series. Following the Aesop tradition of the golden axe as divine reward or ultimate power.
Origin: Golden Axe (Sega)
The Axe
A guitar-shaped axe dropped by Plantera. A tribute to the band Pantera. Represents gaming's playful approach to weapon mythology.
Origin: Terraria
Kulutues
"Merciless Destroyer." Astaroth's giant axe in SoulCalibur. Appropriate for a golem created for destruction.
Origin: SoulCalibur
Rhitta
Escanor's sacred treasure. Stores solar energy, growing heavier as it absorbs sunlight. At noon, when Escanor is strongest, the axe is at maximum power.
Origin: Seven Deadly Sins
Rune Axe
A recurring Final Fantasy weapon that consumes MP to deal critical hits. Represents the magic-melee hybrid archetype.
Origin: Final Fantasy
Conclusion
The legendary axe embodies humanity's relationship with weight and impact. Unlike the sword, which cuts with a slide, the axe destroys with a blow. It is the weapon of the earth-shaper (Pangu, Forseti) and the god-killer (Gorehowl, Parashu).
From the thunder-worship of the Bronze Age to the damage-per-second calculations of modern gaming, the axe has remained the supreme symbol of force. It does not apologize. It does not parry. It hews. Whether it is Hel sending souls to the underworld, Leviathan returning to Kratos's hand, or Armads sealing Hector's fate, the axe remains the ultimate tool for those who would reshape the world—or end it.
When naming your own legendary axe, consider these patterns: action suffixes (-cleaver, -splitter, -breaker), sound suffixes (-howl, -scream), divine associations (thunder, storm, earth), or ironic names that hint at darker truths. The best axe names carry the weight of their mythology—and the weight of the blow they're about to deliver.