Every Nickname Loki Has Had In The MCU

Warning: The following contains SPOILERS for Loki

In his time throughout the MCU, from The Avengers to Loki, Loki has picked up quite a few nicknames. Ranging from clever to slightly absurd to insulting, his nicknames run the full gamut. Here is a round-up of every nickname Loki has had in the MCU. and where they come from.

Loki has had one of the most dynamic storylines in the MCU. He started as the misunderstood younger brother of the God of Thunder, bitter from living in Thor's shadow. The God of Mischief evolved from little tricks to full-on treason, and when he couldn't take over Asgard, he attempted to take Earth. He aligns himself with whoever will benefit him at the moment and his relationship with his family is complicated as he never ceases to seek their approval. Though his alliances shift to suit his needs, he always comes through for his brother in the end, even giving his life for the side of good in Avengers: Infinity War.

However, the timeline mischief in Avengers: Endgame has given Loki a second chance as a variant. Unfortunately, this version of Loki has not gone through the MCU timeline post-Avengers; for him, his attack on New York only happened days ago. Initially, that meant any character development after New York has been lost, but thanks to Mobius and Sylvie, this version of Loki is catching up fast and seems to be on the path to true redemption. In both his timelines, he's picked up a few new nicknames along the way.

The God of Mischief

The God of Mischief is one of Loki's most common monikers. The title comes from Loki's roots in Norse mythology and is a nickname Loki wears with pride. It's derived from Loki's magic relying heavily on tricks and illusions and his nature as a trickster. Most of his mischief is used against his brother, Thor — including turning into a snake to trick and stab him. This name has been called into question by Mobius in Loki, who claims that Loki causes more pain than he causes mischief.

Cow

Loki arrives in battle during Thor Ragnarok

The first Thor film saw a deleted scene with some serious banter between the brothers. After Thor donned his eagle-winged helmet, Loki poked fun at it by telling him he had "nice feathers." In a jab back at his brother, Thor referred to Loki as "Cow," pointing out the bovine-like horns on his helmet. The scene is followed by a sentimental moment between the two where Loki tells his brother he loves him, so it's clear the nickname comes from playful fraternity and not any ill intent.

Master of Magic

Many of Loki's nicknames revolve around Loki's magical abilities. After Jotuns appear in Asgard, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three are discussing their suspicions around Loki, who they believe is concocting a plan to keep his brother from the throne. Hogun theorizes that "a master of magic could easily bring three Jotuns into Asgard," referring to Loki. While the other warriors are hesitant to believe it, Loki was indeed the master of magic who brought the Jotuns in.

Son Of Odin/Son Of Laufey

Loki's parentage is a major part of his characterization. In Thor, he starts the movie as Loki Odinson, or the Son of Odin. But after he discovers that Odin is indeed not his blood father, he suffers a major emotional blow as the rejection he's always felt clicks into place. In his rebellion, Loki adopts the new surname Laufeyson, making him Loki, Son of Laufey, King of the Frost Giants, as he says he was born to be.

Conniving, Craven, Pathetic Worm

Less a nickname than an epithet, this moniker is the one that hurts the most. After his escape from the TVA in Loki, the God of Mischief is locked in a time cell while he's waiting for his interrogation. The cell brings him through a moment in his past where Lady Sif refers to Loki as a "conniving, craven, pathetic worm" for cutting her hair before telling him he will always be alone. After going through the memory so many times, it seems her words have tapped into the part of Loki that truly fears being alone.

Ant

While attempting to retrieve the Tesseract in The Avengers, Loki tells Nick Fury that "an ant has no quarrel with a boot" when Fury asks what quarrel humanity might have with him. When Loki is later captured and contained in a cell designed for the Hulk, Fury taunts Loki with his containment by pointing out a hatch in his cell that would send him into the ocean below. Fury ends his taunting by referring to Loki as the ant and the trigger switch as the boot.

Rock of Ages

Tony Stark has a gift for bestowing those around him with nicknames. Point Break, Underoos, Capsicle — the snarky hero has had some great one-liners. But two of his best were both dedicated to Loki. The first is "Rock of Ages," a reference to a Broadway musical that revolves around the hair metal culture of the 80s and whose cast all have long and flowing hairstyles, similar to Loki's.

Related: How Powerful Is Classic Loki?

Reindeer Games

Iron Man's second zinger at Loki was "Reindeer Games." This is another reference to his iconic horned helmet, combined with a reference to the 2000 action movie Reindeer Games starring Ben Affleck. While Tony scolds Peter for his incessant pop culture references, Tony was just as guilty of them while he was doling out nicknames.

Real Power

"Real Power" is another comeback from Nick Fury. In the same scene as the ant insult, the pair continue to banter through the glass of Loki's cell. When Loki makes a comment about humanity being reminded of what "real power" is, Fury chuckles and tells Loki to let him know if "real power wants a magazine or something," highlighting the irony of Loki making such a statement while in captivity.

Puny God

One of the most iconic scenes of the first Avengers film is when the Hulk turns Loki into a verifiable ragdoll. At the climax of Loki's attack on New York, Hulk sends him careening into Stark Tower. As Loki indignantly tells the Hulk he is a god who won't be pushed around by a beast like Hulk, Hulk snatches Loki up and pile-drives him back and forth into the floor, bruising the god's ego as much as his body. As the Hulk walks away from the subdued Loki, he disdainfully refers to him as a "puny god."

The Asgardian Mussolini

The apparent death of Agent Phil Coulson is still one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the MCU. It served as the catalyst for the Avengers to finally work as a unit — though he was later resurrected without their knowledge. Though Phil Coulson was later properly avenged in Loki episode 4, for a long time, Loki as still a sore spot with him. In Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 1, episode 1, Coulson refers to Loki as the "Asgardian Mussolini" while bickering with Agent Hill about how long he'd been dead. Seeing how Loki has attempted to take over both Earth and Asgard many times, the comparison to the Italian dictator was an apt one.

Little Blue Baby Icicle

When Thor returns to Asgard in Thor: Ragnarok, he finds it isn't quite how he left it. He's met with a massive statue of Loki and a large crowd watching a reenactment of Thor and Loki's scene in Thor when Loki "died." After stage-Loki's death, the actor portraying Odin refers to Loki as a "little blue baby icicle... that melted this old man's heart," referring to his Frost Giant heritage and his sometimes-blue skin. Naturally, the play has been arranged by Loki, who is masquerading as Odin in his father's absence. The scene also hints at Loki's inner desire to be accepted by his adopted father in the same way Thor was, despite how he denies it.

Long-Haired Creepo

In season 7, episode 10 of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., "Stolen," Coulson and the S.H.I.E.L.D agents are stranded in the year 1983. In a conversation with a young John Garrett, Garrett reveals he'd been allowed to watch "a bunch" of Coulson's deaths. When Coulson asks his favorite, Garrett admits that the "long-haired creepo" that stabbed him with a pointy stick was his favorite — clearly referring to the time Loki killed Coulson in The Avengers.

The Would-Be King

After Thor discovers that Loki has taken the Tesseract to Earth in The Avengers, he descends onto the mortal plane to bring his brother home. Thor and Loki have fought over the throne, and Loki has felt overshadowed by Thor their entire childhood. Having lost the chance to rule that he feels is his birthright, Loki decides ruling Earth is what he is owed. During their argument about who deserves to rule, Thor refers to Loki as the "would-be king" — a title that surely digs into Loki considering the pain that being overshadowed caused him.

The God Of Outcasts

Classic Loki looking at Loki in Loki Episode 5

The God of Outcasts is one of Loki's newest titles. After Loki was pruned in Loki episode 4, he ended up in the Void with a small crew of Loki variants — Kid Loki, Classic Loki, Boastful Loki, and Alligator Loki. While they commiserated over the inevitable fate of all Lokis, Classic Loki said they were not the God of Mischief, but the God of Outcasts, destined only to cause pain for others and die. The nickname takes on a second meaning in the Void, as the Lokis have literally been outcast from the Sacred Timeline itself into an apocalyptic world. By the end of the Loki finale, it's possible the God of Mischief and Outcasts will pick up yet another new moniker.

Next: Loki’s Episode 5 Title Is A Thor First Homage

Loki releases new episodes every Wednesday on Disney+.