On the Naming of Elves

Elvish names are created by adding a suffix to a verb, adjective or noun. Depending on the last character of that word, the suffix will change.

All verb-based names translate roughly to a personified version of that verb, so “to drink” would mean ”Drinker,” “to trade” would mean “Trader,” and so on.

The Three Names

Elves are generally given three names throughout their lives.

The First Name: The Father’s Gift

At birth, elves are given their first name by a their father. This name is usually derived from one of their parents’ names — sons receive a name based on their father’s, and daughters receive a name based on their mother’s. Elves refer to this as the Father’s Gift.

When deriving a child’s birth name from that of a parent, the suffix of the parent’s name is changed to “ion” (meaning “son of”) or “iel” or “ien” meaning “daughter of”.

For example, the son of Celebrendir would be Celebrenion, and the daughter of Harthril would be Harthiel or Harthien.

The Second Name: The Mother’s Gift

A young elf’s second name is typically given to them by their mother, who chooses a name based on the child’s personality or character. On rare occasions, an elven mother experiences a vision while giving birth, which will inform the selection. Elves refer to this as the Mother’s Gift.

This name is typically bestowed as the elf reaches adolescence, though it may come sooner if the mother experienced a vision about her child.

In some circumstances, a young elf may choose their own second name. This might happen if the child has reached adolescence and knows themself well enough to select a name befitting their character, or if they have reached twenty years without receiving a name from their mother. Elves call such a self-determined name the Child‘s Gift.

The Third Name: The Companion’s Gift

At some point as an elf approaches adulthood, they are given a third name selected by one or more of their peers or similar close acquaintances. This name often reflects an achievement or accomplishment, a physical attribute, or a shared experience, and is known to elves as the Companion’s Gift.

The Usage of Names

Before receiving their second name, young elves are known only by their first name, both within the family and publicly.

Once an elf receives their second name, it becomes their primary name for public life, and the first name is typically only used privately within the family. Public use of the first name alone is taboo; it suggests an inappropriate familial intimacy or an insulting belittlement.

An elf’s third name is used privately within circles of close acquaintances and is rarely even publicly known. In time, it may be shared with new acquaintances as they become part of that elf’s trusted inner circle.

In formal occasions, such as an introduction, or when disambiguation is required, both the second and first names may be used together.

Examples

A Male Elf

Celebrendir and Harthril welcome a son into the world. Celebrendir names the boy Celebrenion, and this name is known to and used by all in their community.

Harthril, reflecting on the boy’s keen interest in the growing of plants, names him Redhedir
(Redh (To Sow) + dir (Male)). Within the community, he is known as Redhedir, and in formal moments as Redhedir Celebrenion. Privately, Celebrendir and Harthril may still call him Celebrenion as a way of emphasizing their familial bond.

After dispatching a wild beast that was threatening the community, his friends name him Dagnir (Dag (To Slay) + dir (Male)) in celebration, a name these friends would use privately, but never in public.

A Female Elf

Celebrendir and Harthril welcome a daughter into the world. Celebrendir names the girl Harthiel, and this name is known to and used by all in their community.

Harthril, reflecting on the girl’s infectious laughter, names her Gladhedis (Gladh (To Laugh) + dis (Female)). Within the community, she is known as Gladhedis, and in formal moments as Gladhedis Harthiel. Privately, Celebrendir and Harthril may still call her Harthiel as a way of emphasizing their familial bond.

After besting all the competition in a fierce dragon chess tournament, her friends name her Maenel (Maen (Skilled/Clever) + el (Female)) in honor of her victory. They would use this name privately, but never in public.

Paul Atreides

While he’s not an elf, in Frank Herbert’s Dune novels, the character of Paul Atreides has a similar collection of names that reflect these different spheres of usage (and even knowledge):

• His childhood name, “Paul”
• His chosen public name, “Muad’dib”
• His private Sietch name, “Usul,” bestowed by his companion Stilgar

This literary aside is meant to be inspirational rather than prescriptive. Again, Paul isn’t a Tolkien-style elf.

Suffixes

Spellings of the root word or suffix may be adjusted as they are combined, depending on the letters used in each.

For example:

• Barad (Tower/Fortress) + benn (Husband) -> Baradben
• Lass (Leaf) + daer (Groom) -> Lassendaer
• Tharn (Stiff/Rigid/Withered) + bess (Wife) -> Tharmes
• Eitha (To Ease/Assist) + iell (Daughter of) -> Eithriel

Male Suffixes

• benn: husband (usually becomes “ben” when affixed to a root name)
• daer: groom
• dir: male
• hanar: brother
• hawn: brother
• ion: son of
• ior: son of
• on: male
• ron: male
• tôr: brother (often “dor” when affixed to a root name)

Female Suffixes

• bess: wife (usually becomes “bes” when affixed to a root name)
• des: woman
• dis: female
• dîs: bride
• el: female
• eth: female
• gwend: maiden (often “wen” when affixed to a root name)
• iell: daughter of
• ien: daughter of
• il: female
• neth: girl
• nîth: sister
• ril: female
• sel: girl
• thêl: sister

Neutral Suffixes

• ben: person
• pen: person
• or: person