Nov 2

Nov 2 Tolkien-Inspired Baby Names

As I've been reflecting on baby names and trying to decide on a name for our newest little one, I've been putting together this list of Tolkienian baby names to share with all of you! This list is in no way exhaustive, but I've included all of the names that I thought would be nice for a little hobbit lad or lass in case you're also searching for one. I've tried to add name meanings and a bit about each name, but if I've made any errors please let me know as I am certainly not an expert in Tolkien etymology. Also, if you have any more suggestions you'd like to see added to the list, please leave a comment below.

Aldaron | another name of Oromë, Aldaron means "Horn-Blower" in Quenya. He was the Ainu responsible for the hunt. Read more about him here. This name also reminds us of Alderaan (from Star Wars), so you might get twice the nerdy points if you choose this name. ;)
Aragorn | Sindarin for "Revered King", the name given to Aragorn II son of Arathorn II, who became the last High King of both Arnor and Gondor. He played a great part in the destruction of the One Ring and was a beloved and just king.
Arathorn | Means "Eagle King" (according to Tolkien). Arathorn II is the father of Aragorn (see above).
Arda | Quenya name for the world as a whole.
Arwen | Means "Noble Maiden" in Sindarin. Arwen is considered the fairest of the Children of Iluvatar, resembling Luthien.
Beorn | In "The Hobbit", Beorn is a Skin-changer who can change from a man into bear. According to Tolkien Gateway, "Beorn is an Old English word meaning "a warrior, a hero, a man of valour" (also, poetic "man"), cognate to Old Norse björn ("bear")."
Beren | A character from "The Silmarillion", Beren is a mortal man who falls in love with the beautiful elf Luthien. Their epic romance is inspired by Tolkien's own love for his wife; upon her death, he inscribed her gravestone with "Luthien" and his bears "Beren".
Celeborn | In Sindarin, means "silver-tall". Celeborn is the spouse of Galadriel and Lord of Lorien. Read more about him here.
Durin | The first of the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves, Durin I is the founder of Khazad-dum. His name means "sleepy".
Eärendil | Referred to as Earendil the Mariner, his name means "devoted to the sea" or "sea-lover" in Quenya. Read about him here.
Edith | Inspired by Tolkien's beloved wife, Edith Mary Tolkien.
Elanor | Elanor The Fair is the first-born daughter of Sam Gamgee and Rosie Cotton. Her name is taken from the sun-star, the little flower that grows in Lothlorien.
Elbereth | Inspired by Elbereth Gilthoniel, the Sindarin name for Varda; Sindarin meaning: "star-queen", Quenya meaning: "sublime" or "lofty". Elves revere her most of all and call upon her in their greatest need. Frodo and Samwise find hope and protection in the use of her name in The Lord of the Rings.
Eldar | The name given to the Elves when first seen by Oromë, later applied only to the West-Elves. Means "connected or concerned with the stars".
Elendil | Elendil was the father of Isildur. His name means "Devoted to the Stars" in Quenya.
Elenna | The island on which Númenor was founded. Means "Land of the Star",
Elessar | Quenya for "Elf-Stone", which is the name given to Aragorn II.
Éomer | The 18th King of Rohan, nephew of King Théoden and brother of Éowyn. "His name is likely derived from the Anglo-Saxon words eoh ("war-horse"), and mere, ("grand, excellent, famous"). He adopted the epithet Éadig during his kingship, which is an Old English word meaning "happy, wealthy" and usually translated as "blessed", used for saints in medieval literature." (Etymology quoted from Tolkien Gateway).
Éowyn | The Lady of Rohan, who defended Théoden against the Nazgul King, and was later wed to Faramir. Her name means "Horse-joy" in Old English.
Faramir | The younger son of Denethor, appointed Prince of Ithilien after the coming of King Aragorn. He was known for his pursuit of wisdom and justice over power or wealth. The meaning of his name is unknown.
Francis | Inspired by Father Francis Xavier Morgan, the parish priest that took in JRR Tolkien and his younger brother after the death of their mother. Father Francis became a father-figure to the Tolkien boys and had a profound influence on their lives, specifically in the area of the Catholic faith. Tolkien named his first son, John Francis Reuel Tolkien, after him.
Galadriel | The Lady of Lothlorien, keeper of Nenya (one of the Three Rings), and one of the Elves who had lived to see the light of the Two Trees of Valinor. In Sindarin, her name means "Glittering Garland" or "Maiden Crowned with Gleaming Hair". Read more about her here.
Goldberry | Wife of Tom Bombadil, also called "River-daughter".
Hilary | Inspired by Tolkien's younger brother, Hilary Arthur Reuel Tolkien.
John | Tolkien's first name, a classic yet subtle way to incorporate his namesake into own family.
Lórien | The common name for Irmo, the Vala who was master of dreams and visions. He also tended to the Gardens of Lórien. In Quenya, this name means "Land of Dreams".
Lúthien | The only daughter of Thingol & Melian, said to have been the fairest maiden to ever live. The story of her life, as told in "Beren and Lúthien", is said to be the kernel of the mythology of Middle-Earth. Her character was inspired by Tolkien's own wife, and the name means "Daughters of Flowers" in Sindarin.
Mabel | Inspired by Tolkien's own beloved mother. Means "beautiful" and "loving".
Melian | The mother of Lúthien, her name means "Dear Gift".
Maia | Inspired by the Maiar, the name for the spirits which helped the Valar shape the world. In Quenya, Maiar means "The Beautiful".
Mandos | The Doomsman of the Valar, his name means "Judge". The Halls of Mandos were a place on the northern shores of Valinor where the spirits of Elves and Men gathered to await their fates.
Merry | Inspired by Meriadoc Brandybuck, a close companion of Frodo and member of the Fellowship of the Ring. His name means "Great Lord" in Welsh.
Míriel | Mother of Fëanor
Nessa | One of the Valier, her name means "Young" in Quenya.
Nienna | A Queen of the Valar, Nienna's name is derived from the Quenya word for "tear". She was the 'lady of pity and mourning'.
Peregrin (Pippin) | Peregrin Took was a close friend of Frodo and member of the Fellowship of the Ring. During the War of the Ring, he became a Knight of Gondor. Read more about him here.
Ronald | Means "counselor" or "ruler", and is the first middle name of JRR Tolkien (John Ronald).
Rosie | Inspired by Rosie Cotton, the wife of Samwise Gamgee. Together, they had 13 children including Elanor the Fair.
Reuel | Inspired by Tolkien's own name (John Ronald Reuel)
Samwise | The servant and closest friend of Frodo Baggins. His devotion and love for Frodo illustrates the truest form of friendship. His name means "simple minded".
Willow | Inspired by Old Man Willow, who I'll admit is not a very kind old tree but it's still a sweet name.
Va'na | "The Ever-young; she is the younger sister of Yavanna. All flowers spring as she passes and open if she glances upon them; and all birds sing at her coming." (Silmarillion, Valaquenta)
Varda | Queen of the Valar, wife of Manwe, also called Elbereth Gilthoniel.
Yavanna | "The spouse of Aule is Yavanna, the Giver of Fruits. She is the lover of all things that grow in the earth, and all their countless forms she holds in her mind, from the trees like towers in forests long ago to the moss upon stones... Some there are who have seen her standing like a tree under heaven, crowned with the Sun..." (Silmarillion, Valaquenta)