10 Baby Girl Names Inspired by Tolkien's Legendarium
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Websters dictionary defines linguist as “a person accomplished in languages especially : one who speaks several languages.” J.R.R. Tolkien was a linguist. He created some beautiful languages in his time. If you’ve ever wondered if the foreign languages that the actors sometimes fall into so eloquently in the Lord of the Rings films was real or if it was just a random jumble of sounds, it was very much real. Intentionally real.
Tolkien knew over a dozen foreign languages and he was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. Finnish, Old Norse, and Anglo-Saxon are just a few of the languages that were sources of inspiration for many languages Tolkien created for Middle Earth and beyond.
One of the things that has attracted me to Tolkien’s writing since I was 9-10 and read The Hobbit for the first time, was his obvious love for language. Language is so important. It has a massive impact on our culture, how we view the world, and how we communicate! It is almost impossible to overstate the importance of language in our lives. Names go right along with this. Names come from language. They mean something. It is easy to see how Tolkien values names in how he uses them to represent much about his characters.
I have wanted to create “usable Tolkien name” list since I started delving into baby names a couple years ago. I should preface by defining what I mean by usable. I am probably more liberal than most people might be. I am what you might consider a “brave” baby namer. If these are just too much for you, no worries. Maybe use them for a pet instead!
Origin: Sindarin / Welsh
Pronunciation: Ar-wen
Meaning: “Noble maiden” in Tolkien’s Sindarin. In Welsh, of which the name is derived, it means something more like “muse.”
Popularity: Arwen has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US. It was used 121 times last year!
Analysis: Arwen is a name that has gained quite a lot of recognition since the release of the LotR films. Arwen is one of the most recognizable female characters in the series, and her name is more approachable than others. Tolkien himself noted that it means “greatly blessed” in Welsh, which is also a legitimate translation.
Arwen Undómiel is the daughter of Elrond and Celebrían, making her the granddaughter of Galadriel and Celeborn. She was said to be one of the most beautiful elves that ever walked Middle Earth, echoing that of Lúthien. Her story also echos Lúthien in that Arwen marries the mortal Aragorn, in the same way that Beren and Lúthien marry.
Origin: Sindarin
Pronunciation: Guh-lah-dree-el
Meaning: “Maiden Crowned with Radiant Garland”
Popularity: Galadriel has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US and was used fewer than 5 times last year.
Analysis: This is a name that might be way too out there for other people but I have always thought it was so stunning! I think I would put it on the list if Joel was on board. In 2016, 5 girls were named this! I actually know of a young girl with this name.
Along with Arwen, Galadriel is a very recognizable character from The Lord of the Rings, even if you’ve only seen the films. She is one of the most powerful elves to walk Middle Earth in the third age and a ring bearer.
Origin: Sindarin
Pronunciation: LOO-thee-en
Meaning: Daughter of Flowers
Popularity: Luthien has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US and was used only 7 times last year!
Analysis: I am currently crushing on this name. I don’t normally share names that are legitimately on our short list for future babies, but this one is! I think it’s totally usable, probably as a middle name for us. As the love story of Beren and Lúthien is representative of Tolkien’s own love story with his wife Edith, I think using this name would be a lovely tribute to both of them.
Lúthien Tinúviel was the daughter of King Thingol and the Maia Melian. She is described as being the most beautiful creature to ever walk the earth (a title later taken by her great great granddaughter Arwen). Her and Arwen’s stories also are paralleled in that they both exchanged their elven immortality to be with the mortals that they loved.
Origin: Sindarin, Cornish, Welsh
Pronunciation: Mor-wen
Meaning: Dark Maiden, Maiden
Popularity: Morwen has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US and was used fewer than 5 times last year!
Analysis: Morwen, like Arwen, has specific Welsh and Cornish roots. Specifically, Morwenna, is a Cornish name that means “maiden.” It is very closely related to the Welsh word for “maiden,” as well. If you watch Poldark, you may recognize this name. Morwenna was also the name of a 6th century Cornish Saint.
In Tolkien’s work, Morwen is the name of several characters. Most notably, Morwen is Húrin’s wife and Túrin’s mother. She is strong, stern, steadfast, beautiful, and courageous. Naturally, her life was quite tragic. The name Morwen was given to a made up Rohirrim woman in the films.
Origin: Old English
Pronunciation: AY-oh-wen
Meaning: Lover of Horses
Popularity: Éowyn has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US and was used 75 times last year.
Analysis: My best friend had a hamster named Éowyn growing up. I owned her sister and she was named Enya. I absolutely adore this name. I think it is completely usable and fairly recognizable as well. There is a novelist named Éowyn Ivey. I would love to have been a fly on the wall when her parents were deciding what to call her.
Éowyn is the third and final most recognizable feminine Tolkien name. She is played by the magnificent Miranda Otto in the films and she bears one of the most iconic lines in the entire film series. Éowyn is the niece of King Theoden and sister of Éomer, who later becomes King of Rohan. She is known as the “Shield Maiden of Rohan,” and kicks a lot of butt. Eventually, she falls in love with Faramir and they wed. Old English is what Tolkien used to adapt into Rohirric. Given that the Rohirrim were the men of the horses, her name is quite fitting.
Origin: Quenya
Pronunciation: ness-uh
Meaning: Young
Popularity: Nessa has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US and was used 63 times last year.
Analysis: Nessa is one of the most straight forward names on this list. I am actually surprised that it has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US! It has all of the sweet vintage qualities that are so in right now but is still completely different to the popular names of the day. An added bonus is that Nessarose is the name of Elphaba’s sister in Wicked, and she often goes by Nessa.
In Tolkien’s Legendarium, Nessa is one of the Valar. She is known for her speed and her ability in dancing. She is the wife of Tulkas and sister of Oromë.
Origin: Quenya
Pronunciation: ya-van-uh
Meaning: Giver of Fruits
Popularity: Yavanna has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US and was used fewer than 5 times last year.
Analysis: I find Yavanna to feel like a more exotic version of Savanna or Susanna. I think it is completely approachable for the brave baby namer! It isn’t difficult to pronounce and it will leave people thinking about it for a good long while.
Yavanna is another one of the Valar. She is associated with all things earth and growing things. In fact, she created the Ents after her husband, Aulë, created the Dwarves.
Origin: Quenya
Pronunciation: Nee-en-uh
Meaning: Tear or She Who Weeps
Popularity: Nienna has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US and was used fewer than 5 times last year.
Analysis: Nienna is one of the queens of the Valar and one of the oldest beings in Tolkien’s Legendarium. She is the lady of mourning, pity, and mercy. There are many great stories regarding Nienna, but one of the most interesting is that Gandalf the Maiar was a student of Nienna’s. She taught him much about pity before he was chosen to be a Wizard in Middle Earth.
Nienna is a stunning name. It seems so natural to say but it also has a lovely etherial quality that is difficult to match.
Origin: Sindarin
Pronunciation: YOR-eth
Meaning: Old Woman
Popularity: Ioreth has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US and was used fewer than 5 times last year.
Analysis: While maybe not the most enchanting meaning, Ioreth is a very beautiful name with an interesting history in The Lord of the Rings. While Ioreth was pretty much cut from the final draft of the most recent film editions of the story, fans of the book will remember Ioreth as the oldest woman who served in The Houses of Healing. She was the primary caretaker of Faramir, restoring him to health in The Return of the King.
Ioreth certainly has a different sound than what many are used to, but I still think it is very approachable for modern parents. Ioreth having the association of being a healer brings up lovely imaging as well.
Origin: Sindarin
Pronunciation: mel-yan
Meaning: Beloved
Popularity: Melian has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US and was used fewer than 5 times last year.
Analysis: Melian is a Maia, wife to Thingol, mother to Lúthien, and Queen of Doriath. She is, therefore, an ancestor of Elrond and Arwen. She is described as beautiful, with long dark hair. She was said to be the one who taught the nightingales how to sing. In my understanding, Melian was the only Maia to ever couple and “settle down” with one of the children of Ilúvatar (elves and men).
I find this name very approachable for the modern day parent. It is distinct, but not distinctly elfish that it would stick out too much. It is easy to pronounce and spell, but is very memorable, which I think is a great sweet spot that many modern parents are looking for!
Honorable mentions: Edith, Goldberry, Idril, Primula, Freda, Vána, Estë, Rose
There you have it! I hope you enjoyed this list! I really enjoyed doing the research and writing it. I will be coming at you with a masculine Tolkien name list soon. I am hoping to have it ready for Tolkien’s birthday, or right around there.
Let me know what your favorites are in the comments below!
Disclaimer: I own nothing in the Tolkien universe.
I am not an expert by any means in baby names but historical, etymological, cultural, and linguistic accuracy is important to me. If you have any questions or comments about a particular name, be sure to let me know!
All name data is taken from the SSA with 1900 being the farthest back I am able to search.
Photo by lucas mendes on Unsplash
