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Before the protagonist of God of War became known as Kratos, the character was originally intended to bear a very different name. This initial choice, however, was ultimately abandoned due to persistent jokes circulating within the Santa Monica Studio development team.
David Jaffe, the creator of the God of War franchise, recently shared on his X account the backstory behind the hero’s naming process. The original name, Dominus, was selected for its powerful connotations—evoking brutality, violence, and dominance—which Jaffe personally admired.
From Dominus to Kratos: The Naming Journey
Despite its strong attributes, the name Dominus soon became the subject of relentless teasing among the developers. References to Domino’s Pizza jokes quickly took hold, with team members frequently quipping phrases like “30 minutes or free” and “Get the door, it’s Dominus,” alongside allusions to the infamous Noid mascot. After enduring roughly fifty such jokes, the team recognized that the name had lost its gravitas and decided to move on from it.
Following this, the development team embarked on an extensive search through a list of ancient Greek male names in hopes of finding a fitting alternative. While several options were considered, none quite captured the intended essence until Susan Panico, the game’s marketing lead, proposed the name Kratos. This suggestion resonated with the team and perfectly matched the character’s persona, leading to its adoption as the hero’s official name.
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