Okay, so I've decided to use "walker" as the basic term for mechs in my new mini-campaign.  Thanks to everyone who contributed to the earlier thread hashing this out.  Now I'm looking to expand the vocabulary, so as to have distinctive terms for various subtypes of mechs:

4-legged mechs
mechs capable of atmospheric flight
mechs capable of space operations
any other ideas?

The space one is a toughie for me.  Spacewalker has NASA connotations.  Airwalker is a herald of Galactus.  Skywalker is right out.  Voidwalker?  Maybe, but sounds a bit gothy.

Star Strider
Star Ranger

Nova Walker

or a combo of any of the above.

mm.....that's all I have fo the moment.

Obviously 4 legged mechs came first.  They were dubbed "walkers" for obvious reasons.  While it is generally acceptable to call all mecha "walkers" specialized names were developed to be more descriptive.

When the first 2 legged walker was operational, someone jokingly remarked that it was more dignified than the other machines which crawled around.  So, they became nicknamed "Noble Walkers" or "nobles."

Eventually, someone took a "Noble" and slapped large vector thrust wings on them.  The obvious nickname was taken and the aerial units became "Angels."  And when the same procedure was done to a 4 legged walker, they became known as "Pegasi," despite no real resemblance to a winged horse.

Finally, all space units were described as "Celetials": Celestial Walkers, Celestial Nobles.  Also, since there is some degree of overlap between air and space units, aerial units which can also operate in space are given the Celestial descriptor: Celestial Angel, Celestial Pegasus.

4 legged could be simpley "Quads".

Good stuff, Gabriel.  I may swipe that wholesale.  I think I like Nova Walker as well, if I can work it into the rest of the scheme.

I'd probably do something more like stages of motive development:

4 legged: Crawlers
2-Legged: Walkers
Flight Capable: Dancers
Space Flight Capable: Soarers, or Voiddancers

4-legged=Dogwalkers!

Space-operable=Spacers.

If you're going to go with "walkers" for mechs, specific mech names might all be similarly colloquial and concise.

or just use walkers as a generic term to describe any mech.  Then name each of the types and models, but all have a common element.  i.e. all 4 four legged walkers are named after four legged animals depending on speed, maneuverability, armor and weaponry.  A light, fast 4 legged walker would be the Jaguar, Puma, Cheetah, or Tiger.

Consider lifting names of specific mechs from mythology, the more obscure the better...

For example, we have Bushyasta, a Pesian demon of lethargy and sloth who tempts the religious from their duties and prayers... also long-fingered and yellow.

The mech "Bushyasta" would therefore launch tendrils, the ends of which would be equipped with controlled-blast EMP equipment or some other means of frying opponents' controls. On that note, the same name could apply to a line of tendril-launching anti-mech tanks...

Mythology nomenclature for the win!

I've got loads more of those if you're interested.

QuoteFor example, we have Bushyasta, a Pesian demon of lethargy and sloth who tempts the religious from their duties and prayers

That sounds like better name for some kind of EMP gun or missile.  I'd use the names of the dead pantheons for my weapon systems.  Thor's hammer (heavy cannon), Odin's Spear (long range armor piercing missile), Loki's Cloak (radar jammer), Zeus' Thunderbolt (PPC), Apollo's Arrow (Bio-Plague Rocket)... you get the idea.