Santa Monica Studio Renamed God of War Protagonist

The iconic character Kratos was originally known by a different name before a developer changed it in 2005.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Gaming

Graphic illustration of dual chain blades in crimson and black, reflecting the bold aesthetic of early fantasy action game posters. — Santa Monica Studio originally planned to name the God of War protagonist Dominus before settling on Kratos prior to the 2005 launch. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Developers at Santa Monica Studio originally named the God of War protagonist Dominus before changing it to Kratos in 2005. The shift occurred to avoid persistent jokes linking the character to the Domino's Pizza chain.

Why it matters

The change helped solidify the identity of a character who has anchored two decades of franchise success. By selecting a name from ancient history rather than one prone to consumer-brand puns, the team protected the tone of their game.

The first God of War title launched in 2005, marking the start of 20 years of franchise success. Developers pivoted from the name Dominus after team members reportedly made roughly 50 jokes referencing Domino's Pizza.

The players

Santa Monica Studio

This is a video game development studio based in Santa Monica that is best known for creating the God of War series.

Susan Panico

She served as the marketing lead who proposed the name Kratos during the development of the first game.

David Jaffe

He is a designer who discovered a list of Ancient Greek names within his old design documents.

The details

Marketing lead Susan Panico proposed the name Kratos after David Jaffe uncovered a list of Ancient Greek baby names in his old design documents. This decision permanently altered the trajectory of the series as it prepared for its 2005 launch on PlayStation 2.

The first God of War game was released in 2005.
David Jaffe found the list of baby names in 2025.
God of War: Laufey is scheduled for release in February 2027.

Culture Shift

The transition from the name Dominus to Kratos mirrors a broader movement in gaming where studios prioritize distinct, evocative naming conventions to separate fantasy worlds from modern commercial references. This shift highlights how localized internal decisions impact the long-term branding of major franchises.

For local players in Santa Monica, this history provides a glimpse into the creative processes that shape globally recognized entertainment right in their neighborhood. Understanding these early development choices can change how fans perceive the character's legacy during their next playthrough.

The takeaway

Naming conventions play a critical role in establishing the tone and seriousness of a new intellectual property. Authors and creators can implement similar vetting processes by auditing their character names against common cultural associations before finalizing a project.