Best names in Tolkien?

Post by **Smaug's voice** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 7:52 pm

I recently started my re-read of the Silmarillion and I realised that one of the reasons why I really love the book is because of the many beautiful names there are in it, and in LotR and Hobbit too of course.
I mean, if Thingol was named Edward or something like that there would have been some major change in the experience of the reader.

So, which names you like from the books? I know, it's a long list. No need to try to come up with everything at once!

Fingolfin, for me, was one of my favorite names. It has a certain rhythm to it and is a "closed" name. And so is Fëanor.

I liked Thingol much better than Elwë, personally. Same for Elessar rather than Aragorn, though both are good.

And Morgoth. Hee, the name just reeks of evil, really.

Post by **Passdagas the Brown** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:15 pm

Gil-galad. Hands down. The most evocative name in all of Tolkien's work, IMO.

Followed closely by Khazad-dûm and Zirak-zigil, which aren't character names, but I had to mention them.

Post by **Beutlin** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:16 pm

Lúthien Tinúviel and Eru.

Post by **Smaug's voice** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:23 pm

Adding to the previous: Eärendil and Glaurung.

ETA: Speaking of places. Alqualondë is my favorite. And Angbad too.

Post by **Alatar** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:24 pm

Fëanor. It sounds like fire.

Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:35 pm

Bilbo Baggins.

Post by **Elentári** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:55 pm

I love the descriptive "afternames" Tolkien gives his characters, like Varda Elentári, Yavanna Kementári, Manwë Súlimo, Arwen Undómiel or Idril Celebrindal and, as Beutlin mentioned, Lúthien Tinúviel.

Post by **kzer_za** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 11:01 pm

Túrin Turambar
Finrod Felagund
Glaurung
Thangorodrim
Númenor
Aragorn
Ungoliant
Annuminas (spelling?)
Erkenbrand
Minas Tirith
Galadriel

I could go on much longer, but that's probably enough.

Post by **Smaug's voice** » Mon Dec 02, 2013 8:24 pm

Elentári wrote:I love the descriptive "afternames" Tolkien gives his characters, like Varda Elentári, Yavanna Kementári, Manwë Súlimo, Arwen Undómiel or Idril Celebrindal and, as Beutlin mentioned, Lúthien Tinúviel.

Oh yes. Especially Celebrindal and Tinúviel.

What I also find interesting is the "transition" of names of geographical places in Middle-earth with the passage of time.

Like Baranduin to Brandywine. That sounds exactly how it would have been "colloqualized" (is there a better word?) in real world.
Any more such examples?

Post by **Smaug's voice** » Mon Dec 02, 2013 8:26 pm

kzer_za wrote:Túrin Turambar
Finrod Felagund
Glaurung
Thangorodrim
Númenor
Aragorn
Ungoliant
Annuminas (spelling?)
Erkenbrand
Minas Tirith
Galadriel

I could go on much longer, but that's probably enough.

Thangorodrim. One of my all time favorites. That name is just a lyrical thunder, to be honest.

Post by **Smaug's voice** » Mon Dec 02, 2013 8:29 pm

What about some non-Elvish names?
PtB and V already mentioned three.

"Barliman Butterbur" always brings a smile to my face. (even now!)

Post by **kzer_za** » Tue Dec 03, 2013 5:26 am

Lobelia Sackville-Baggins has the right feel for her personality (try saying it out loud!)

Post by **Passdagas the Brown** » Tue Dec 03, 2013 5:34 am

Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror. Now that's alliteration!

Post by **Frelga** » Tue Dec 03, 2013 5:51 am

Tom Bombadil. Just like the character, the name seems plain and has a hauntingly familiar and yet mysterious ring.

Also, Samwise Gamgee.

For places, Mirkwood. Exactly what it says on the label.

Post by **Elentári** » Tue Dec 03, 2013 8:22 am

I've always loved "Withywindle" and talking of alliterations, there are many place names that trip off the tongue - Mirrormere, High Hay, Dimril Dale, Dwarrowdelf, River Running...

Post by **Folca** » Thu Dec 26, 2013 8:10 am

Folca (obviously)
Théoden
Thorin
Durin

Helm's Deep
Meduseld
Mirkwood
Moria

Post by **kzer_za** » Fri Dec 27, 2013 1:10 am

Meduseld sounds good on its own, but every time I see it I immediately think of "Medusa." This is the only Tolkien name I can think of that has this sort of unintentional allusion to something completely unrelated.

Post by **Gorthaur the Cruel** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 9:25 am

Smaug's voice wrote:I recently started my re-read of the Silmarillion and I realised that one of the reasons why I really love the book is because of the many beautiful names there are in it, and in LotR and Hobbit too of course.
I mean, if Thingol was named Edward or something like that there would have been some major change in the experience of the reader.

I think this is an important observation. Of course* Thror, Thrain and Thorin (and Gandalf) (and most other of Thorin's posse) were lifted directly from the Edda but the majority of names for people and places are of Tolkien's own invention. One of the chief reasons I struggle with other fantasy writing (or Swords and Sorcery) is because their invented names seem fake. Because of his expertise and expansive knowledge and experience in philology and of ancient texts, he knew how to make a name seem real, or how to make a word feel like a name. I think this is his primary tool for establishing and maintaining verisimilitude in his works.

*i.e. I'm new so I might state the obvious sometimes and come off as supercilious, which (of course) I want to avoid.

Fri Jan 10, 2014 4:17 pm

I don't think that comes across as supercilious at all. On the contrary, I think it is an excellent point, and I agree wholeheartedly.

Post by **Passdagas the Brown** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 5:47 pm

Khudzûl is my favorite of Tolkien's languages, though it is far less developed than his elvish idioms.

The Hall of Fire

Best names in Tolkien?

Best names in Tolkien?

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