Thread: Naming Your Elf

I'm a terribly un-creative person. I've been using Brigonos as my name in every game since UO. It may seem unique at first glance, but it's really just the ancient Celtic form of the name Brian - my actual name. When EQ came out, Brigonos was fine for most races, but it just didn't feel right for an elf. So I went to an elven name generator (which probably doesn't exist anymore) and kept clicking 'random' until a name that started with 'B' came up. I instantly fell in love with the name it gave me - Belegarod. I just liked the cadence and flow. Embarrassingly, at that point in my life, I had never heard of the Lord of the Rings, and only knew of the Hobbit because of those commercials they used to play for the laserdisc you could buy. However, in EQ, they had halflings. One day in EQ, someone called a halfling a hobbit and I finally had a frame of reference. I immediately went to the library and read the Hobbit. Then, the Lord of the Rings. Then the Silmarillion. At the end of the Silmarillion, there was a small glossary of Sindarin words and names. I noticed the components of the elf name I use. Beleg - mighty and Arod - noble. Oddly enough, those are also two of the meanings for Brian. So in the end, all of my names mean the same thing

Short version:

Belegarod = strong, noble = Brian = Brigonos

I have used this name since the old pen and paper D&D, or a deviation... i.e. Malwynn. I do not know about it's meaning (or if there even is one). But if you all could tell me if it resembles anything, it would be much appreciated.

I was told this would probably be a better place to ask, so here goes:

Is it possible to convert diacritics and keep the same sound/meaning?

The word I'm working with specifically is 'Rhíuial.' Which is a combination of the words 'rhíw' and 'uial.'
Is it possible to replace the í with a different character that will produce the same sound and retain the meaning of the word as well? (I want to use it in-game, so I want to get rid of the diacritic, but I'm not sure if just getting rid of the acute accent would retain the same meaning of the word.)

According to this page, í should produce the same kind of sound as an e in 'were.'

So can I just replace í with the phonetic equivalent of e in 'were'? (I'm not actually sure what that would be :S)

Please let me know if I'm misunderstanding anything.

Originally Posted by Kraizeeman

I have used this name since the old pen and paper D&D, or a deviation... i.e. Malwynn. I do not know about it's meaning (or if there even is one). But if you all could tell me if it resembles anything, it would be much appreciated.

Mal (pollen) + Gwîn (wine) mutates on the combine to Malwîn (and has a very nice meaning).

Originally Posted by Letharz

I was told this would probably be a better place to ask, so here goes:

Is it possible to convert diacritics and keep the same sound/meaning?

The word I'm working with specifically is 'Rhíuial.' Which is a combination of the words 'rhíw' and 'uial.'
Is it possible to replace the í with a different character that will produce the same sound and retain the meaning of the word as well? (I want to use it in-game, so I want to get rid of the diacritic, but I'm not sure if just getting rid of the acute accent would retain the same meaning of the word.)

According to this page, í should produce the same kind of sound as an e in 'were.'

So can I just replace í with the phonetic equivalent of e in 'were'? (I'm not actually sure what that would be :S)

Please let me know if I'm misunderstanding anything.

While I tend to use an i for í, if you want to substitute an e who am I to argue? The characters are not using a Latin-based alphabet, we are. All we should be trying to obtain is something that looks and sounds right. Both approaches meet that goal very well.

(pun intended)

My main is Corulach, (Coru + lach) pronounced Coroolak, meaning Cunning Flame in Sindarin.

My alt (and name) is Henidhor, (Hen + idhor), pronounced Henithor, meaning "Eyes of thought" in Sindarin. I prefer to translate it as thoughtful eyes though.

I have to admit that I made up my Captain's name, although I suppose it could almost be translated to "Brilliant jewel" in Sindarin, celír (brilliant) + mir (jewel). Cs are also always pronounced as Ks in Sindarin, so I suppose his named would be pronounced Kelamir, even though I was thinking "Selamir" when I was making him.

This is favorite site for elvish naming is this:
http://elffetish.com/SindaFrame1.php

I was too lazy to think of a name for my main so I just used the randomizer and it came up with Hillaraen. What would that roughly translate as? I hope it's not something nasty. :P

Seeing this thread, I've come to somewhat regret that I did not spend time to properly think of a name for my elf. I got lucky that I was able to use Narsilion (The Song of the Sun and Moon - accdg to the index of Silmarillion) as my surname, as my elf is a minstrel.

I don't speak Sindarin but raen means "crooked" or "enlaced." "hîl" could be translated as "heir." So perhaps your elf is tangled up in a matter of inheritance...

I'm pretty sure the name generator doesn't actually make Sindarin names, just throws together several syllables that could be called elven sounding.

Originally Posted by Henidhor

I don't speak Sindarin but raen means "crooked" or "enlaced." "hîl" could be translated as "heir." So perhaps your elf is tangled up in a matter of inheritance...

I'm pretty sure the name generator doesn't actually make Sindarin names, just throws together several syllables that could be called elven sounding.

that's kinda funny, as I am currently tangled up with my inheritance from my grandmother in RL.

thanks! ^_^

Schirf, I have just read this entire thread & it's wonderfully insightful. I've always loved language, though am quite new to the world of Tolkien.
I was curious about a name meaning: "Moonthorn" or if that isn't possible "Waterheart". I'm unsure if it will be male or female.
Maybe they are a bit cheesy, as I am still learning the meanings behind elf names in the books (& my copy of the Silmarillion arrives soon!).
Thank you so very much.

edit: While making a separate character, I played around with the *randomize* button & eventually it came up with one I liked: "Torvorwe". Does this mean anything that you are aware of?

I found a helpful site. COuncilofelrond.com

Ithil = moon
Egwen = thorn (or briar)

Ithilegwen = moonthorn? / moonbriar?

Originally Posted by hinhana

I found a helpful site. COuncilofelrond.com

Ithil = moon
Egwen = thorn (or briar)

Ithilegwen = moonthorn? / moonbriar?

Technically, 'egwen' would be 'thorn-woman', since 'eg-' means 'thorn' and 'wen' (contracted form of 'gwend') is 'woman'. For 'moonthorn', I'd probably go 'Egithil' (Thorn of the Moon), then add 'wen' or 'wyn' for female, and either 'dir' or 'benn' for a male character. So Egithilwen or Egithildir for Moonthorn (or just plain Egithil).

Waterheart - 'ind' is 'inner thought, meaning, heart' which I'm assuming is the closest to what you want; otherwise, 'gur' is 'heart (in the moral sense)' while 'hun' is 'heart (physical)'. Water has a number of possible cognates, but I'm assuming 'nen' (as the most generic match). Which would probably come out to Innen. Add a male or female suffix to taste (or not).

Torvorwe - Hmm. By lenition, the second syllable would start with 'm' or 'b' - the best I come up with is 'tor' (brother [ancient, not commonly used]), 'mor' (night), 'gwaew' (wind) for 'Brother of the Night-wind'. But I may be misapplying some rules.

Revisiting an earlier post of mine:

Originally Posted by Mister_Underhill

Hmm, so I did the 'random syllables' thing to come up with my current Elvish character names:

Felorian - closest I can find is fela (cave) + or (above, over) + ianw (yoke) which really doesn't mean much of anything. I suppose the first syllable could be 'fael' (fair-minded, just, generous) but the last two bits don't do much for me in any case.
EDIT: If only I had reversed two vowels, it would have worked beautifully! fela (cave) + ar (king) + ion (son) = Cave Prince... and he's from Mirkwood. Ah well, hindsight is 20/20.

fela = cave
or = over, above
ri = crown, wreath, garland
ann = long

Felorian = "Long-wreathed cave"

Ulroduil - yeah, I got nothing. again.

ul = odour
rhaud = metal (from copper) or roch = horse
tuil = spring (season)

Ulroduil = "Coppery scent of spring" or "Odour of Horses in Spring"

That second one isn't too flattering, but then he's a Guardian and does work hard in that heavy armor, so it might be appropriate.

I named my elf Agnese because it's an awesome name.

Explanation for it would be that it is not her true, Elven name.

I've been using the name Elenluin even before I started playing LOTRO. When I created a char for Atlantica Online I chose it to mean 'star blue'. I love the clour of stars, blue yet almost white. i'm not sure its correct though.

I chose the name Elanorael because I wanted to use "elanor." -Ael was the first ending I could get approved, and I didn't think it might have its own meaning at the time. Could you tell me if I've terribly altered the meaning of my name, and how to pronounce the whole thing, as well?

Thank you Mr Underhill! I did go with Egithil.

Originally Posted by flamingoat

I chose the name Elanorael because I wanted to use "elanor." -Ael was the first ending I could get approved, and I didn't think it might have its own meaning at the time. Could you tell me if I've terribly altered the meaning of my name, and how to pronounce the whole thing, as well?

'Ael' means 'lake, pool, mere'. 'Elanor' is, of course, a type of pimpernel with silver and golden flowers - the literal translation is 'star-sun' ('el' + 'anor'). It's not a bad name, really - 'pool of elanor', possibly referring to a heavily flowered meadow.

'EL-ah-nor-ayl' or 'el-AH-nor-ayl' would be the pronunciation... I'm unsure where the emphasis should fall.

Thank you very much, Mister_Underhill! That's not a bad meaning at all!

My Elf's name is Aileciel. I'll admit, the only thing I knew going into it was "iel" as in "daughter of"; the rest is simply a combination of sounds I liked (Eye-lee-see-elle). Since getting more involved with the game, I've tried to find a Sindarin word that could make up the beginning of my name, but with no luck. If any of you know anything that could apply, I'd be much obliged If not, I guess I could pretend it's one of the many words Tolkien never invented.

Originally Posted by KaylesX

My Elf's name is Aileciel. I'll admit, the only thing I knew going into it was "iel" as in "daughter of"; the rest is simply a combination of sounds I liked (Eye-lee-see-elle). Since getting more involved with the game, I've tried to find a Sindarin word that could make up the beginning of my name, but with no luck. If any of you know anything that could apply, I'd be much obliged If not, I guess I could pretend it's one of the many words Tolkien never invented.

The first part of the name could be feigned to relate to Quenya ailin, "pool, lake", or ailine, "shore", either directly or, more likely, through a hypothetical Sindarin cognate.

Originally Posted by BIGeyedBUG

The first part of the name could be feigned to relate to Quenya ailin, "pool, lake", or ailine, "shore", either directly or, more likely, through a hypothetical Sindarin cognate.

Ooh, thanks very much!

I have the Languages of Middle Earth written by Ruth Noel. My character's name is Anorlin, literally meaning 'Sun singer'. Since this is my first character on the game (I'm the proverbial noob), I regret that I did not give her a surname like I see that others have. By the way...loving the game

Originally Posted by TreeHuggerSong

I have the Languages of Middle Earth written by Ruth Noel. My character's name is Anorlin, literally meaning 'Sun singer'. Since this is my first character on the game (I'm the proverbial noob), I regret that I did not give her a surname like I see that others have. By the way...loving the game

Go talk to a Notary (I think) once you hit level 15 or higher. You can add a surname then.

I don't have any on my Elves, since they don't actually use them in the lore ('Greenleaf', for example, is the translation into Westron of 'Legolas', not a surname per se). Although I have been working up the family tree for my Hobbit Burglar, Fredregar Far-buck (the Far-bucks are an offshoot of the Brandybuck clan who settled in Long-cleeve and intermarried with the North-tooks).

Selevir is an autogenerated name from the Character Creation page as it wouldnt let me use my first two choices

The main one being my user name which was originally generated using the random Elf name generator in the Warhammer Fantasy role play books but which actually works out quite well in Sindarin

Sir - River
Randir - Wanderer(m)
Lass - leaf

So loosely translated it is "he who wanders like a leaf floating on a river"

I dont know why it wouldnt let me use it.........

I couldnt work out what Selevir translates to

Originally Posted by Sirandilas

Selevir is an autogenerated name from the Character Creation page as it wouldnt let me use my first two choices

The main one being my user name which was originally generated using the random Elf name generator in the Warhammer Fantasy role play books but which actually works out quite well in Sindarin

Sir - River
Randir - Wanderer(m)
Lass - leaf

So loosely translated it is "he who wanders like a leaf floating on a river"

I dont know why it wouldnt let me use it.........

Most probably, it was already taken.

I couldnt work out what Selevir translates to

Could be selaib (herbs) + mir (jewel, precious thing, treasure); or possibly sael (wise) + lim (clear, sparkling) + mir.

I had considered that some one may have already taken that name but thought it was unlikely given the chances of some one else coming up with it at random. Unless one of my friends on the LOTR site where I use that name thought it was cool and used it. I decided it was more likely disallowed for the same reason that it was disallowed in EQ which is because it starts with "Sir" and you arent allowed to give yourself titles, even though it isnt used as a title.

My second choice was my old EQ Elf Ranger name Tallien but it woudlnt let me have that either

I like the Herb/Precious thing translation of Selevir though as that ties in with my real name being Spice related, Thanks!

My character's name is Gallaron, I believe gal- means light but not sure about the rest of it. I would appreciate any help in finding the meaning.

Originally Posted by lasercats

My character's name is Gallaron, I believe gal- means light but not sure about the rest of it. I would appreciate any help in finding the meaning.

Hmm. Closest I can come is gal- (light), laer (song, long lay), rond (cave roof, vaulted or arched roof)... which doesn't really do much in terms of a neat, thematic name. Maybe if Schirf or BIGeyedBUG stick their noses back in here they'll have some ideas.

Perversion of Wilwarin (since Turbine refuses to let me have it!) which means star-butterfly.

Originally Posted by Mister_Underhill

Hmm. Closest I can come is gal- (light), laer (song, long lay), rond (cave roof, vaulted or arched roof)... which doesn't really do much in terms of a neat, thematic name. Maybe if Schirf or BIGeyedBUG stick their noses back in here they'll have some ideas.

I appreciate the help Mister_Underhill, makes me wish I'd researched it more before choosing it : /

Originally Posted by lasercats

My character's name is Gallaron, I believe gal- means light but not sure about the rest of it. I would appreciate any help in finding the meaning.

I can come up with something semi-tidy only by referring to Quenya lar, "good fortune", or larma, "lucky event" or "raiment". One could then interpret the name as poetically meaning something like "Bright Fortunes" or "Bright clothing". ("Garish Leisure-suit"? :P )

Technically this is a no-no, as Elves in Middle-earth would not be using names with Quenya elements, so you'd probably have to pretend that it's a related word in Sindarin that Tolkien didn't get around to inventing. This also seems like a good course since I can think of no -Elf- names that mix the two languages.

Originally Posted by Mister_Underhill

Hmm. Closest I can come is gal- (light), laer (song, long lay), rond (cave roof, vaulted or arched roof)... which doesn't really do much in terms of a neat, thematic name. Maybe if Schirf or BIGeyedBUG stick their noses back in here they'll have some ideas.

Schirf really strikes me as an expert, or what I'd call an expert even if he wouldn't. I basically just mash roots together into pidgin-Elvish from readily available dictionaries. Mainly Hisweloke for Sindarin and Quettaparma for Quenya.

Originally Posted by Mister_Underhill

Hmm. Closest I can come is gal- (light), laer (song, long lay), rond (cave roof, vaulted or arched roof)... which doesn't really do much in terms of a neat, thematic name. Maybe if Schirf or BIGeyedBUG stick their noses back in here they'll have some ideas.

Based on your readings above I would put it together as "he who brings light and song even underground"

Thank you all for the info, and Sirandilas - I like that theme!

Another possibility is a derivation of gael (which is Noldor) and aearon

gael . pale, glimmering
aearon . great sea, ocean

From Sea to Shimmering Sea?

If you stick to all Sindarin then you would still use gal - light and it would be Light sea or Light Ocean

Originally Posted by Sirandilas

Another possibility is a derivation of gael (which is Noldor) and aearon

gael . pale, glimmering
aearon . great sea, ocean

From Sea to Shimmering Sea?

If you stick to all Sindarin then you would still use gal - light and it would be Light sea or Light Ocean

So gal- + aearon = gallaron = light of the ocean? Would this be logical?

It sounds reasonable to me but I will let one of the other comment on whether it abides by the rules of Sindarin Grammar and pronunciation

A good name could be fealen meaning "star spirit" in sindarin

I actually made a character named Dinendae...meaning "Silent Shadow"...

I named my main Genadriel, mainly because Jean is my name elsewhere on the Internets and because I liked the sound of it. I've heard some interesting pronunciations and abbreviations over Vent (G-enna with a hard G, anyone? I guess that is the proper pronunciation in Sindarin...) but since I don't roleplay here I just tell people to call me Gena (Jean-ah). I'd still be interested to know if it means anything, though.

But I actually have a tough question for an expert - Schirf, are you still around? - because I've thought of a cool new surname for my minstrel, but I'm not sure how to pluralise it correctly. I'm stuck on the root "thafn", which Hisweloke's Sindarin Dictionary gives for "pillar" (with a reference to the Etymologies, page 87. I don't own the Etymologies, so I'd be really interested if someone could refer me to the line in the Etymologies, as the Quenya or Noldor roots would be helpful here.) I'm guessing the plural would be "thaifn" - the generic "thafnath" is closer to what I'm after, but just sounds so clumsy - but I've not yet seen another word ending in "fn" so I can't be sure of the pluralisation rules ...

so what I'm getting so far is either "Celinthaifn" or "Thaifngelin", neither of which particularly appeals. I did consider using either "pan" for "plank", "cail" for palisade or "taeg" for "line" as alternative roots instead of "thafn", but I think that "pillars" is closest to the meaning I'm after ... (Any Sindarin scholar who's played a Minstrel - or a healer in any game - should get the gist by now!) Any ideas?

My favourtite site for elvish words (Btw It can be slow to load)

http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/sinda...ict-en-sd.html