33 How were Eldar in Valinor named? (Tolkien)
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This article is from the Tolkien FAQ, by William D.B. Loos loos@hudce.harvard.edu with numerous contributions by others.
33 How were Eldar in Valinor named? (Tolkien)
They had two given names ('essi'), one bestowed at birth by the
father, the other later by the mother:
... and these mother-names had great significance, for the mothers
of the Eldar had insight into the characters and abilities of their
children, and many also had the gift of prophetic foresight. In
addition, any of the Eldar might acquire epesse ('after-name'),
not necessarily given by their own kin, a nickname -- mostly given
as a title of admiration or honour; and an epesse might become the
name generally used and recognised in later song and history (as was
the case, for instance, with Ereinion, always known by his epesse
Gil-galad).
UT, 266
On why 'Ereinion' ('Scion of Kings' (UT, 436)) was given this epesse:
It is recorded that Ereinion was given the name Gil-galad 'Star
of Radiance' 'because his helm and mail, and his shield overlaid
with silver and set with a device of white stars, shone from afar
like a star in sunlight or moonlight, and could be seen by Elvish
eyes at a great distance if he stood upon a height'.
UT, 217
[ Gil-galad's "device of white stars" is shown in entry 47 of Pictures.]
The other epesse most familiar to readers of LotR was 'Galadriel',
whose father-name was 'Artanis' ('noble woman') and mother-name
'Nerwen' ('man-maiden') (UT 229, 231). As for 'Galadriel', which
was the Sindarin form of 'Altariel' (Quenya) and 'Alatariel' (Telerin)
(UT, 266):
In the High-elven speech her name was Al(a)tariel, derived from
_alata_ 'radience' (Sindarin _galad_) and _riel_ 'garlanded maiden'
(from a root rig- 'twine, wreathe'): the whole meaning 'maiden
crowned with a radiant garland', referring to her hair.
Silm, 360
Silm, 360 (Appendix, root -kal);
Pictures, entry 47.
Contributors: WDBL, Paul Adams
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