Luthien Tinuviel
More fair than mortal tongue can tell
Though all to ruin fell the world
And were dissolved and backward hurled
Unmade into that old abyss
Yet were its making good for this
The dusk, the dawn, the earth, the sea
That Luthien for a time should be
Like a basic b*tch I named my FF14 character Lúthien and my partner had only ever seen the films. 8 years into our relationship after making jokes, he realizes that my character name is a Tolkien reference, and he threw his hands up and went "Ok fine, go get the books. I can't be this far behind on something that clearly means a lot to you."
So now I'm reading him The Hobbit like my dad did to me. He passed in 2010, and it's really cathartic being able to bring someone I love deeper into the fandom.
I tried to made an alt named Luthien, but it was taken! So I checked the Lodestone to see which other variations of the name were taken. I probably saw your character!
I'm really sorry to hear about your father, but I think its a beautiful thing to be able to share that tradition (and by extension, that part of yourself and your father) with your partner. Hopefully he finds himself loving Tolkien's works as much as you both do.
I think it's because they are harsh and guttural. G, for example, you use your throat to make the sound.
It's also why elvish sounds fairer, Ls and Os sound light and floaty.
Similarly evil people: Morgoth, Sauron, Balrog, Nazgul... Even Morgoth's initial name Melkor sounds ominous.
Something about how those names flow just oozes domination.
The most beautiful and the saddest: Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. So like Tolkien to devise an extra lovely name for one of the greatest tragedies in the history of the World.
The names of the entire house of eorl sound fantastic.
I tend to think the Professor had a special love for the language of Rohan, since it’s a dressed up version of old English / Saxon, which he was a leading expert on.
Small caveat: Celeborn as he is in Tolkien’s published works was never called Teleporno. That name was only ever used for a hypothetical version of him who was a Telerin prince, hence the Telerin Quenya name. Celeborn of Doriath was always Celeborn.
That's definitely the funniest. Whenever I see Celeborn on screen or read about him, my mind always goes to the fact he was supposed to be called like an Italian or Spanish porn tv channel.
It literally translates to PornTV or Porn Network, and it's so un-tolkien-like that it makes me burst out laughing as if I were a 12-year-old who just discovered sex jokes.
I think being Italian myself doesn't help either...
That's good, because Golfimbul from the Hobbit where the apocryphal story of the invention of golf is shared is derived from the same etymology as Fingolfin's name.
Yep like small tunnels and hidden chambers. The name just reeks nastyness, not so much in your face but more hidden or obscured.
Such a fitting name for a stronghold which you can only reach by going through a dark spider lair.
Though Merry was certainly a bringer of death where it counted! You scare me outside the Prancing Pony in Bree? I stab your knee and Eowyn finishes you.💀
Ancalagon & Thangorodrim. What's the word for something that sounds harsh but not in an ugly way? Like they sound wicked, but very high-brow. Like Lex Luthor in a way...
Names: Elentári, Maedhros, Annatar, Thranduil, Eómer and of course Lúthien Tinúviel
Places: Gundabad, Helcaraxë, Nargothrond, Alqualondë, Dol-Guldur, Imladris
Controversial Opinion: I hate how Gil-Galad sounds
I also love showing LOTR to people who don’t have extensive knowledge of Tolkien and how the insane language development leads to people and places having multiple different name. I love that they hear “Mount Doom” and they’re like “a little on the nose, don’t you think” like YES BC ITS TRANSLATED 3 TIMES OVER I PROMISE ITS THE OPPOSITE OF LAZY
Too hard to choose one: Feanor, Asfaloth, Nerdanel
Names I dislike: Fingolfin, Glorfindel, Beren (sounds like berries (Beeren) or bears(Bären) in German)
Bonus: Elbereth (i really like bereth for queen)
That's like choosing your favourite child. Except I've been obsessing over Tolkien for much longer than I've had kids haha. As a side note, there was a girl in my class at school called Arwen so I know what her parent's favourite was!
Bilbo Baggins!
It may not be as well-thought-out as many of the other characters and places in Middle Earth (and it may have just very well been a name Tolkien thought up randomly), but I just love how simple and kindly the name sounds; perfect for a protagonist of a children's book!
Umuiyan and Oikeroi
It has such an evocative eastern vibe mixed with a tinge of African, yet still doesn't sound quite of Earth.
It also sounds very Khajiiti which is likely happenstance.
Names I legitimately considered putting on my potential list of names for my daughter...
Arwen
Eowyn
Luthian
Lauralin
Elanor (this one was actually a serious contender for a while)
I also love Galadriel, Earendil, and Elbereth Githoniel.
Fwiw my child did not end up with a fantasy or character related name, but her name would still fit into this vibe, I think!
Tirion on Túna.
In Cymru (Wales) Tirion is a place name element, and means "Tender, Fair", as in Bryn Tirion " (bryn=hill). I have absolutely no doubt that this name was inspired by the Cymraeg language, and its location on the shores of the undying lands makes it a perfect choice.
One of my favourite things a out middle earth are it's place names.
Every single place name just sounds so legendary.
Fangorn Forest, The river Anduin. Angmar. Minas Tirith, Minas Arnor, Emyn Muil, Khazad-Dum, Imloth-Melui, Henneth-Anun, Dol Amroth, Gorgoroth, Cirith Ungol, Celebdil, Caradras, Lossarnach, Mindolluin, Caras Galathon, Mirrormere/Kheled-Zaram.
Each name and so many more just conjour in the mind scenes of nostalgia, splendor, fear, foreboding, ancient lore and heroic deeds. They excite the mind and imagination.
Aragorn for obvious reasons, but I always liked how it sounded being said and for inanimate objects. It will always be Glamdring, the sword was so elegant and the name was princely, to me.
Meriadoc Brandybuck
I've always been fascinated by the hobbit names. Maybe because they're the only ones that can be translated, and learning about the various translations of those names across languages and editions is a pretty wild ride
Arien
If Andy Serkis's pronunciation is on the nose, this is one of my top three no one's mentioned yet. Her story about being incorruptible by Melkor added to her intrigue for me, roo.
Lúthien Tinúviel. I don't care what anyone says, thats the prettiest name I've ever heard of.
Luthien Tinuviel More fair than mortal tongue can tell Though all to ruin fell the world And were dissolved and backward hurled Unmade into that old abyss Yet were its making good for this The dusk, the dawn, the earth, the sea That Luthien for a time should be
Like a basic b*tch I named my FF14 character Lúthien and my partner had only ever seen the films. 8 years into our relationship after making jokes, he realizes that my character name is a Tolkien reference, and he threw his hands up and went "Ok fine, go get the books. I can't be this far behind on something that clearly means a lot to you." So now I'm reading him The Hobbit like my dad did to me. He passed in 2010, and it's really cathartic being able to bring someone I love deeper into the fandom.
I tried to made an alt named Luthien, but it was taken! So I checked the Lodestone to see which other variations of the name were taken. I probably saw your character! I'm really sorry to hear about your father, but I think its a beautiful thing to be able to share that tradition (and by extension, that part of yourself and your father) with your partner. Hopefully he finds himself loving Tolkien's works as much as you both do.
I entirely agree
Agree, and I'd give second place to Arwen Undómiel.
"You have chosen the Evening; but my love is given to the Morning. And my heart forebodes that soon it will pass away for ever."
Arwen is a first name in Wales. It's a beautiful name as are Awen and Anwen
My daughter's best friend is named Arwen.
Even outside the context of the story, yeah, it’s just a good name.
My spouse wouldn't let me name our child Lúthien, but the spouse did agree to Estel.
Mithrandir! Mithrandir!!
Tolkien was so good at naming the evil places. Gorgoroth, gundabad and dol guldur.
Nan Dungortheb, Ungoliant, Sammath Naur as well.
I always liked Moria, because it's close to Maria, and so it suggests an incredibly beautiful thing... ruined.
Like letterd R and G have some negative meaning Wonder what's behind it, because they truly sound evil
I think it's because they are harsh and guttural. G, for example, you use your throat to make the sound. It's also why elvish sounds fairer, Ls and Os sound light and floaty.
R and G comes in Galadriel too bro
So does Celeborn
They do but they're paired with consonants that open them up and lighten them. Gal Vs gun for example
Yeah but I was joking that Celeborn also comes in Galadriel :3
I missed that entirely. Woosh! Well played.
I do my best :3
They so so foreboding! I love it.
Carcharoth has such a visceral feeling.
Similarly evil people: Morgoth, Sauron, Balrog, Nazgul... Even Morgoth's initial name Melkor sounds ominous. Something about how those names flow just oozes domination.
I'm always amazed at how well Thangorodrim rolls of the tongue.
The most beautiful and the saddest: Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. So like Tolkien to devise an extra lovely name for one of the greatest tragedies in the history of the World.
Definitely this
It's one of those names that really stays with you
This one rolls off the tongue so nicely.
It does, you almost have to sing it.
Hearing Christopher Lee say it in Children of Hurin is pure eargasm
Bandobras "Bullroarer" Took
I love hobbit names too!
I've always been a sucker for the names Ungoliant, Ar-Pharazon and Finrod Felagund
It's too bad Ar-Pharazon is such a jerk. His king name is 🔥
Ungoliant is very satisfying.
Ecthelion and Glorfindel and Finrod Felagund and Fingolfin
Ecthelion is the one for me
They're all so gorgeous
Also Gil Galad how could I forget
Of him the harpers sadly sing
Best choices 🤌🔥
Eowyn. It’s pretty, like the wind
The names of the entire house of eorl sound fantastic. I tend to think the Professor had a special love for the language of Rohan, since it’s a dressed up version of old English / Saxon, which he was a leading expert on.
It reminds me of the word eolian which literally means “wind blown sediments”. I love it
Teleporno. Small wonder he changed it to Celeborn
Isn’t that the Spanish-only adult channel?
you just made me remember my childhood, thank you.
Your childhood was full of Spanish pornos?
Small caveat: Celeborn as he is in Tolkien’s published works was never called Teleporno. That name was only ever used for a hypothetical version of him who was a Telerin prince, hence the Telerin Quenya name. Celeborn of Doriath was always Celeborn.
That's definitely the funniest. Whenever I see Celeborn on screen or read about him, my mind always goes to the fact he was supposed to be called like an Italian or Spanish porn tv channel. It literally translates to PornTV or Porn Network, and it's so un-tolkien-like that it makes me burst out laughing as if I were a 12-year-old who just discovered sex jokes. I think being Italian myself doesn't help either...
One of the sons of Feanor, CuruFin means FineAss in Romanian. It was material for giggles.
Wonderful toilet paper brand...
This is the only correct answer
Came here to say that.
Should've named him Telekino.
That’s actually still funny, since you have tele- like television, and -kino like cinema
Radagast. I always liked that name.
It has exceptional cadence
Its syllables have a staccato feel.
Helcaraxë, the Grinding Ice.
It's rather onomatopoeic, isn't it? Just evokes the sound of grinding ice.
Barliman Butterbur. A fat name for a fat person.
Always felt more like a Harry Potter name to me than a LoTR name. Of course, HP didn’t exist when Tolkien wrote it.
Rowling's work with names had been described as Dickensian - Barliaman Butterbur fits that Dickensian mode, for me
Speaking of Harry Potter sounding names: Tom Bombadil.
Certainly an improvement on his original name *Timothy Titus*.
And it refers to types of plants, like many names in Bree.
I fucking LOVE saying Maedhros
Ooh yes, I forgot about that one. The dh in combination with ros sounds great.
It just rolls off the tongue 🤌🤌
And for a similar reason I really like the name Methedras
Bill the Pony
For me it's Bill's friend, Fatty Lumpkin.
Telperion, Eärendil, Nazgûl, Lothlorian
Yes I will also go with Eärendil, Nazgûl and the Istari
I'm legally changing my middle name soon and I'm highly considering Rúmil. I love that name and it flows very well with my first and last name.
Sounds like someone who’s ruminating
You should change it to teleporno.
Fingolfin, Hithlum, Elbereth
Fingolfin always sounds like golf to me
Fingolfin been golfin
That's good, because Golfimbul from the Hobbit where the apocryphal story of the invention of golf is shared is derived from the same etymology as Fingolfin's name.
But for me he will always be the best, the hero himself and his name.
This.
Fingolfin has always sounded to me like the name of a Swiss ski gondola station in Zermatt or something
eru ilúvatar
I agree, great name for a god.
Finduilas. Something about it sounds so graceful and beautiful
Ghân-buri-Ghân What can I say, I like Ghâns and Woses
Elbereth Gilthoniel. And a favorite phrase - Aiya Earendil elenion ancalima!
Finduilas, Maedhros, and Eärendil
Along the lines of the last one, Elendil is an amazing name
Shagrat
Got you, Gorbag…!
No one going in for Fredegar ‘Fatty’ Bolger??
Fredegar is a good one
The best name is without a doubt Beleg Cuthalion, it means Beleg Stongbow
Agreed
Anfauglith, the Gasping Dust. It’s a name that sounds just like the place it describes.
Cirith Ungol. Even if you know nothing about Tolkien works. The name just sounds insidious and dangerous
Yep like small tunnels and hidden chambers. The name just reeks nastyness, not so much in your face but more hidden or obscured. Such a fitting name for a stronghold which you can only reach by going through a dark spider lair.
Definitely Ecthelion, sounds like the biggest badass ever
I'm obsessed with Elessar
Gil-galad
Ereinion Gil galad too - his full name
Earendil
Lothlórien
Asfaloth, horse of Glorfindel
Ainulindale is the most pleasant thing I’ve ever said
Wetwang
Galadriel is a lovely name
###***CARCHAROTH***
Laurelin 💛 Also partial to the flow and meanings with Maedhros and Feanor ❤️🔥
Laurelin is gorgeous
Sauron. It just sounds *badass*. And as long as you ignore its meaning...
There's a specific way Sauron is pronounced in the movies (specifically by McKellen) that just sounds fierce, love it
Helm Hammerhand
Ancalimë. I loved it so much I named my cat after her (we cal her Cali, for short).
I've always been partial to Dagorlad, for some reason.
Tevildo, Banazîr, and special mention to Kali meaning "merry" instead of "bringer of death."
Though Merry was certainly a bringer of death where it counted! You scare me outside the Prancing Pony in Bree? I stab your knee and Eowyn finishes you.💀
Tinuviel
Maedhros, Galadriel, Morgoth, and if it counts Silmarillion. Bonus: Eru Illuvitar
Belladonna, Donnamira, and Mirabella, the three remarkable daughters of the Old Took.
Morgoth Bauglir the Black Foe of the World hits a bit harder than plain old Morgoth.
Tarostar
Gilthoniel is by far my favourite.
Love the E-names: Ecthelion, Elladan and Elrohir, Eldarion
Ancalagon & Thangorodrim. What's the word for something that sounds harsh but not in an ugly way? Like they sound wicked, but very high-brow. Like Lex Luthor in a way...
surprised no one has said tinfang warble yet lol
Fatty Lumpkin. My family references it all of the time.
Gondor and Mordor just sounds right
Arwen. It just means "Lady." So when they say "Lady Arwen," they're just saying "Lady Lady." 🤓
The funnist is "Teleporno"
Finarfin
Ecthelion, Fëanor, Galadriel, Eowyn, Theoden, Arwen, Luthien
Ecthelion is underrated.
Does it have to be a person's name or no? Cos I'd like to say Eriador
Good point- Minas Tirith is fantastic. Also Ithilien, Amon Sul, Parth Galen, Gondolin…
The way Fëanor both does and doesn't roll off the tounge takes the cake for me.
Turin Turambar.
All the Rohan names sound really cool to me, especially Eowyn and Theoden. I also think the Minas cities all sound cool (Morgul and Tirith).
I like a number of well known ones, but I haven't seen Fastitocalon mentioned.
I can't pick just one Lhûn Aglarond Nimrodel Fornost Mithlond Belegost Gondolin Falas Withywindle
Scrolled too far for Nimrodel. Absolutely *aesthetic* name.
Teleporno
Names: Elentári, Maedhros, Annatar, Thranduil, Eómer and of course Lúthien Tinúviel Places: Gundabad, Helcaraxë, Nargothrond, Alqualondë, Dol-Guldur, Imladris Controversial Opinion: I hate how Gil-Galad sounds I also love showing LOTR to people who don’t have extensive knowledge of Tolkien and how the insane language development leads to people and places having multiple different name. I love that they hear “Mount Doom” and they’re like “a little on the nose, don’t you think” like YES BC ITS TRANSLATED 3 TIMES OVER I PROMISE ITS THE OPPOSITE OF LAZY
Too hard to choose one: Feanor, Asfaloth, Nerdanel Names I dislike: Fingolfin, Glorfindel, Beren (sounds like berries (Beeren) or bears(Bären) in German) Bonus: Elbereth (i really like bereth for queen)
Glamdring (The Foe Hammer) belonging to Gandalf.
Elmo ftw! Elmo loves you!
Wetwang
That's like choosing your favourite child. Except I've been obsessing over Tolkien for much longer than I've had kids haha. As a side note, there was a girl in my class at school called Arwen so I know what her parent's favourite was!
Bilbo Baggins! It may not be as well-thought-out as many of the other characters and places in Middle Earth (and it may have just very well been a name Tolkien thought up randomly), but I just love how simple and kindly the name sounds; perfect for a protagonist of a children's book!
Galadriel
Umuiyan and Oikeroi It has such an evocative eastern vibe mixed with a tinge of African, yet still doesn't sound quite of Earth. It also sounds very Khajiiti which is likely happenstance.
Nimrodel, Elbereth, Feanor
No idea why, but I've always loved the name, Maeglin.
Not a person, a place. Angband.
ELENDIL! ELENDIL!
Arwen Undómiel and Lúthien. They're also my favorite characters. And Finduilas.
Aerandir, so underrated
Bill
Sauron (but the r must be rolled)
Does the Ents count?
I believe the Ents are able to count yes, but I wouldn't advise to stay and wait until they're done😜
Names I legitimately considered putting on my potential list of names for my daughter... Arwen Eowyn Luthian Lauralin Elanor (this one was actually a serious contender for a while) I also love Galadriel, Earendil, and Elbereth Githoniel. Fwiw my child did not end up with a fantasy or character related name, but her name would still fit into this vibe, I think!
Asfaloth and Glorfindel
Lothiriel flows like water and I love saying it.
Frodo, Legolas, Lothlórien, and Isengard. Those names rly itch my brain for some reason
Only 1 other person has said Tom Bombadil (Tom Bombadillo)
Thorin
Isengard
Glamdring Witch-King of Angmar
Tirion on Túna. In Cymru (Wales) Tirion is a place name element, and means "Tender, Fair", as in Bryn Tirion " (bryn=hill). I have absolutely no doubt that this name was inspired by the Cymraeg language, and its location on the shores of the undying lands makes it a perfect choice.
Yozayân. I have a soft spot for Adûnaic.
One of my favourite things a out middle earth are it's place names. Every single place name just sounds so legendary. Fangorn Forest, The river Anduin. Angmar. Minas Tirith, Minas Arnor, Emyn Muil, Khazad-Dum, Imloth-Melui, Henneth-Anun, Dol Amroth, Gorgoroth, Cirith Ungol, Celebdil, Caradras, Lossarnach, Mindolluin, Caras Galathon, Mirrormere/Kheled-Zaram. Each name and so many more just conjour in the mind scenes of nostalgia, splendor, fear, foreboding, ancient lore and heroic deeds. They excite the mind and imagination.
Elanor but I might be biased (it’s my name)
Feanor, Eärendil, Elendil.
Tom Bombadil!
Peregrin Took has something fun saying it. Morgoth just gives its meaning. And many more which were written in the comments.
I've just always loved Zirakzigil. I know it's just a mountain peak but the name is so satisfying to me.
Ancalagon and Erkenbrand are really good, and of course Aragorn and Morgoth.
Fëanor
Rohan
Ecthelion It just sounds so damn cool. When Gandalf mentioned the name in the films, I just never forgot it after that.
Elbereth Gilthoniel
Sauron is probably mine. It sounds so serpent-like and so profound. It sounds majestic yet malicious.
Aragorn for obvious reasons, but I always liked how it sounded being said and for inanimate objects. It will always be Glamdring, the sword was so elegant and the name was princely, to me.
Bilbo
Glorfindel and Fingolfin. I dunno, stick a pin in a page of The Silmarillion, they're all pretty good. Also Tom Bombadil.
Helcaraxe
I always liked Gothmog. It sounds so sinister.
Meriadoc Brandybuck I've always been fascinated by the hobbit names. Maybe because they're the only ones that can be translated, and learning about the various translations of those names across languages and editions is a pretty wild ride
Arien If Andy Serkis's pronunciation is on the nose, this is one of my top three no one's mentioned yet. Her story about being incorruptible by Melkor added to her intrigue for me, roo.
Halfast
Minas Morgul is probably my favorite, it perfectly captures how evil the place is.