For years, The Witcher community has speculated on a single, recurring mystery: why does Geralt of Rivia insist on naming every single one of his horses Roach? It isn't exactly a term of endearment, yet every mare the Witcher mounts on his travels bears this exact moniker.

While fans have long theorized about the origin of the name, the true answer has finally been revealed within the pages of the most recent novel in the series, Crossroads of Ravens.

The Origin of Roach’s Name Revealed

The explanation for the legendary naming convention comes from the latest installment, which was originally released in Polish in 2024 and recently made its way to English-speaking audiences. Although it is the newest book, Crossroads of Ravens serves as a chronological prequel, following a young Geralt as he first sets out on the path from Kaer Morhen.

The novel explores Geralt's early monster-slaying adventures in the Kingdom of Kaedwen while touching on the heavy themes of prejudice and mutation that define his existence. During one particular encounter, we get the "lore bomb" fans have been waiting for.

While reading the text, a specific interaction between Geralt and a horse trader provides the punchline:

  • Geralt is involved in a skirmish with a mamutak (a giant, ostrich-like monster).
  • In the chaos of the fight, his current horse is injured.
  • Geralt seeks out a local horse breeder to find a replacement.
  • The trader, unimpressed by Geralt's choice, mocks the selection using a fish metaphor.

A Pun Based on Fish

The reveal is surprisingly simple and relies on a bit of linguistic humor. During the negotiation, the horse trader compares his high-quality jennets to "lusty pike" and scoffs at Geralt's choice, saying:

"I’m offering these jennets like lusty pike, and you’ve chosen a little roach."

It turns out Geralt found the comparison so amusing that he adopted the name for his mounts. The tradition of calling every horse Roach—after the common freshwater fish—has stuck with him ever since.

It is a testament to the depth of Andrzej Sapkowski's writing that even as the video game franchise has become a global phenomenon, the original books continue to provide small, impactful details that reshape how we view the characters. Whether you are a die-hard book reader or a fan who only knows the world through the games, discovering the true reason behind the name adds a hilarious layer of depth to Geralt's most loyal companion.