10 European Startups With Names Straight Out of Fiction and Folklore

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 often borrow from famous stories like Dune, Star Wars, and even The Matrix. The most obvious example is Palantir, named after the all-seeing stones in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Pretty fitting for a company that makes sense of massive amounts of data, right? We at EU-Startups have noticed more and more startups borrowing names from gods, guardians, legendary weapons, and even desert planets crawling with sandworms. Here are 10 European startups whose names escaped from fiction, folklore, and mythology. ### Ariadne Maps (Garching, Germany) - Greek Mythology Founded in 2019 by Georgios Pipelidis and Nikos Tsiamitros, Ariadne Maps builds location analytics tech 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. The name comes directly from Ariadne in Greek mythology. After Theseus entered the labyrinth to kill the Minotaur, Ariadne gave him a thread so he could retrace his route and escape. The company says its location intelligence works like that guiding thread through complex spaces. It's one of the neatest examples on this list: a mapping company named after the woman who solved antiquity's most famous navigation problem. ### Arondite (London, UK) - King Arthur Founded in 2023, Arondite builds software and AI systems for defense and national security organizations. The London-based startup raised over $12.1 million in Seed funding in May 2025, following an earlier $2.2 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, while co-founder and CTO Rob Underhill brought experience from BAE Systems and cybersecurity company Garrison. Arondite hasn't publicly confirmed a medieval naming story, but its spelling is extremely close to Arondight, the sword traditionally associated with Sir Lancelot. A legendary weapon from the Knights of the Round Table is an almost suspiciously perfect reference for a DefenseTech startup. ### Arrakis (London, UK) - Dune Arrakis recently emerged from stealth after raising $38.1 million in just over three months. The company was founded by former Accel investor Rafael Quintanilla alongside a team from 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 Arrakis, the desert planet at the heart of Frank Herbert's Dune. It's the only natural source of spice, the substance that powers the universe's economy, politics, and interstellar travel. For a company entering high-stakes industrial infrastructure, it's a suitably 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 most popular language-learning platforms. It offers subscription-based lessons, podcasts, vocabulary practice, and interactive speaking exercises. The name references the Tower of Babel from the Bible, where humanity's languages were confused. It's a clever twist: a company that helps people understand each other despite different languages. The company says it has helped millions of users learn new languages, and its name serves as a constant reminder of why that work matters. ### More Startups with Mythological Names Here are a few more examples that didn't make the full list but are worth mentioning: - **Mythic** (UK) - Named after legendary stories, building AI for creative industries - **Oracle** (UK) - While not a startup anymore, its name comes from ancient prophecy - **Siren** (Germany) - A cybersecurity firm named after the mythical creatures who lured sailors These names aren't just clever marketing. They tap into stories we already know, making the companies feel familiar and trustworthy. When you hear "Ariadne Maps," you immediately understand what they do: guide people through complex spaces. ### Why Fiction Works for Startup Names There's a reason founders keep turning to fiction, folklore, and religion for inspiration. These names come with built-in meaning. They tell a story before the company even has to explain itself. A name like "Arrakis" immediately signals something ambitious, high-stakes, and maybe a little dangerous. Plus, these names are usually unique enough to get a good domain and stand out in an inbox. You're not going to confuse Arondite with another defense startup. So next time you're brainstorming a startup name, maybe skip the generic tech words and look to the stories you love. You might just find the perfect fit.