Many superheroes from the Marvel Comics pantheon selected names that perfectly suit their style or abilties. Spider-Man does whatever a spider can. The Hulk is a giant, smashing brute. Squirrel Girl talks to squirrels. Ant-Man shrinks and talks to ants.
The right name is important to a superhero's identity. It should adequately tell the story of who they are and what they're all about in just one or two words. Some Marvel heroes, however, have names that tell an incomplete or even misleading story. Many have become cultural icons despite this, but there's still a surprising number of superheroes whose names just aren't accurate.
10 Nomad Wasn't A Man Without A Country
In Captain America (Vol 1) #176 — by Steve Englehart, Sal Buscema, Vince Colletta, Linda Lessmann, and Artie Simek — Steve Rogers decided he could no longer represent the United States. He'd witnessed rampant corruption within the U.S. government, and it left him disillusioned.
Leaving the role of Captain America behind, Steve Rogers adopted the identity, Nomad. A nomad is defined as a man without a country. While Rogers was no longer officially representing the United States as Captain America, his further adventures as Nomad took place within the country and for the benefit of its citizens.
9 Adam Warlock Was Enchanted With The Wrong Name
Adam Warlock is one of the cornerstones of the Marvel Universe's cosmic history, instrumental in the classic story The Infinity Gauntlet and its subsequent sequels. As a hero, Adam helped save all creation from Thanos. As the villain Magus, he nearly brought the universe to its knees. However, Adam isn't a warlock.
A warlock is essentially a male witch, and they often deal with spells, incantations, and sorcery. While Adam Warlock's powers are decidedly otherworldly and perhaps even spiritual — given his connection to the Soul Stone — neither he nor his abilities are mystical in nature.
8 Elektra's Name Should Come With A Complex
Elektra Natchios was the daughter of a Greek diplomat and saw her beloved father gunned down in front of her. In the aftermath, she turned to a life of bounty hunting and contract killing before landing a job as the Kingpin's chief assassin. Elektra eventually turned to the side of right and fought alongside Daredevil.
While well-trained in martial arts, it seems Elektra wasn't as well-versed in ancient mythology. The Electra of Greek myth was mostly known for killing her mother because she craved a greater share of her father's attention. Elektra might've had parental issues, but matricide wasn't among them.
7 Iron Man's Name Is Clunky
The armor Tony Stark wears in his guise as Iron Man is one of the most iconic superhero costumes of all time. However, except for the original Mark I armor built by Tony and Ho Yinsen, the suit's primary material doesn't comprise iron.
Over the years, the Marvel comics have varied in terms of the suit's actual composition. However, pure science suggests that simple iron wouldn't be tough enough to endure the amount of punishment Iron Man has taken since his first appearance in 1963.
6 Nightcrawler Should Worm His Way Out Of His Name
Nightcrawler is a mutant with the power of teleportation and was a defining member of the All-New, All-Different X-Men when the revamped team debuted in 1975. Lovingly nicknamed the Elf by his teammates, Kurt Wagner became one of the defining X-Men of his generation.
However, Nightcrawler's name is derived from that of a worm commonly used as a fishing lure. Most worms don't look like devilish blue elves, nor do they have the ability to teleport. Additionally, neither Nightcrawler nor his abilities bear any resemblance to that of a worm.
5 Jubilee Has Nothing To Do With Anniversaries
The late Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her platinum jubilee, celebrating 70 years on the British throne, shortly before her passing in September 2022. A jubilee is basically a special anniversary celebration. Jubilation Lee, who carries the X-Men codename of Jubilee, is a teenager who creates lumikinetic energy blasts that resemble fireworks.
Fireworks and jubilees might sometimes go hand-in-hand, but they don't have to. Not every celebration comes with fireworks, making Jubilee's name only partially accurate. In recent years, Jubilee has greatly matured since her time with Generation X, taking on motherhood and a teaching job at the Xavier Institute. Nowadays, partying isn't part of her repertoire.
4 Silver Surfer Isn't Silver And He Isn't A Surfer
The Silver Surfer helped define Marvel's Silver Age when he confronted the Fantastic Four as the Herald of Galactus. Imbued with the Power Cosmic, Norrin Radd traveled the universe on his surfboard as the Silver Surfer, another cornerstone of the cosmic Marvel Universe.
While Silver Surfer's mode of transportation is a flat board, it doesn't require waves of any kind to move. The board simply moves at the Surfer's will. Silver Surfer's skin, created by Galactus based on one of Radd's childhood fantasies, is shiny and reflective, giving it more in common with chrome than silver.
3 The Avengers Have A Cool But Inaccurate Name
By definition, to avenge is to inflict harm on someone in return for an injury they inflicted on someone else. As an example, the crux of the Punisher's war on crime is to avenge the deaths of his family.
To that end, Earth's Mightiest Heroes, the Avengers, aren't really trying to avenge anything or anyone. While seeking justice is certainly part of the mission statement, many of the Avengers' most thrilling missions are centered on protecting the people of Earth, more so than visiting justice on any given perpetrator.
2 Rocket Raccoon Isn't A Raccoon
Raccoons are mammals that are native to North America. Since, North America is a continent on the planet Earth, by extension, raccoons are native to the planet Earth. To put it simply, Rocket Raccoon isn't a raccoon.
While the smallest but fiercest troublemaker among the Guardians of the Galaxy might look exactly like a raccoon, Rocket is from the planet Halfworld in the Keystone Quadrant, deep in the far reaches of space. There may well be a rationale behind Rocket's full name in a future, can't-miss Guardians of the Galaxy story. Until then, Rocket has nothing in common with his name, apart from looks.
1 Daredevil Doesn't Take Chances
Daredevil is the ultimate street-level crime fighter in the Marvel Comics Universe. As the superhero protector of Hell's Kitchen, Daredevil is known for his lack of sight, his other heightened senses, and his acrobatic and fighting skills. In his daytime guise as defense attorney Matt Murdock, he's earned a reputation as a fantastic lawyer.
One thing Daredevil isn't known for, however, is recklessness. Typically, daredevils are cavalier individuals who do dangerous stunts for thrills and excitement. While not a brilliant tactician, Daredevil is far from an impulsive individual. When Daredevil teams with other heroes, he tries to take care of them. When fighting solo, he takes care to protect himself and others while battling evildoers in the field.