10 European Startups With Names From Fiction, Folklore, and Religion

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-22

Choosing a startup name is tough. It has to be memorable, available as a domain, and distinctive enough to stand out in an investor's overflowing inbox. So it's no surprise that founders are turning to famous fiction like *Dune*, *Star Wars*, and even *The Matrix* for inspiration. The most famous example? Palantir, named after the all-seeing stones in J.R.R. Tolkien's *The Lord of the Rings*. It's a fitting choice for a company built around making sense of vast amounts of data. At EU-Startups, we've noticed a growing landscape filled with gods, guardians, legendary weapons, and at least one desert planet crawling with enormous sandworms. Here are 10 European startups whose names escaped from fiction, folklore, and mythology—listed alphabetically. ### Ariadne Maps (Garching, Germany) – Greek Mythology Founded in 2019 by Georgios Pipelidis and Nikos Tsiamitros, Ariadne Maps develops location analytics for indoor and outdoor spaces. Based near Munich, the startup helps retailers, transport operators, and venue managers understand how visitors move through physical environments—without needing dedicated apps or tracking hardware on users' phones. Its name comes from Ariadne of Greek mythology. After Theseus entered the labyrinth to kill the Minotaur, Ariadne gave him a thread to retrace his route and escape. The company describes its location intelligence as a similar guiding thread through complex spaces. It's one of the neatest examples here: a mapping company named after the woman who solved antiquity's most notorious navigation problem. ### Arondite (London, UK) – King Arthur Founded in 2023, Arondite builds software and AI systems for defense and national security. The London-based startup raised more than $11.4 million in Seed funding in May 2025, following an earlier $2.1 million pre-Seed round from Concept Ventures and Creator Fund. Co-founder and CEO Will Blyth previously served in the British Army and worked at Palantir and Helsing. Co-founder and CTO Rob Underhill brings experience from BAE Systems and cybersecurity firm Garrison. Arondite hasn't confirmed a medieval naming story, but its spelling is extremely close to Arondight, the sword of Sir Lancelot. A legendary weapon from the Knights of the Round Table is a suspiciously perfect fit for a DefenseTech startup. ### Arrakis (London, UK) – Dune Arrakis is emerging from stealth after raising $35.8 million in just over three months. The company was founded by former Accel investor Rafael Quintanilla, alongside a team with experience at Palantir, Revolut, Delivery Hero, Datadog, and ASML. Arrakis develops AI agents for mission-critical industrial operations, targeting energy, aerospace, logistics, and manufacturing. The name is an unmistakable nod to the desert planet at the heart of Frank Herbert's *Dune*—the only source of spice, which drives the universe's economy and politics. For a company entering high-stakes industrial infrastructure, it's a dramatic choice. The spice must flow, and apparently so must the enterprise workflow. ### Babbel (Berlin, Germany) – The Bible Founded in Berlin in 2007 by Thomas Holl, Markus Witte, Lorenz Heine, and Toine Diepstraten, Babbel is one of Europe's best-known language-learning companies. It offers a subscription-based platform with structured lessons, podcasts, vocabulary practice, and interactive speaking exercises. The name comes from the Tower of Babel story in the Bible—a tale about the confusion of languages. It's a clever twist: a company that helps people understand each other, named after a story about communication breakdown. ### Why These Names Matter A great name does more than just look good on a pitch deck. It tells a story, sparks curiosity, and gives people a reason to remember you. When you're competing for attention in a crowded market, that kind of connection is gold. ### What We Can Learn - **Be bold but clear.** A name from mythology or fiction can be powerful, but it should still hint at what you do. - **Embrace the story.** If your name has a backstory, use it. It's a built-in conversation starter. - **Think long-term.** A name that references a timeless story will age better than one tied to a trend. These startups show that with a little creativity, you can turn a name into a legend of its own.