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ELVEN NAMES

Elvish names tend to be compound words or phrases. For Example: Elrond means 'Vault of Heaven', or 'Starry-dome' (El = Star ; Rod/Rond = domed roof). Legolas approximately means 'Nimble Leaf' (Legol = nimble, active, running free; Las = leaf), not 'Greenleaf' (Calen/Galen = bright colour, green) - which was apparently his nickname.

(Name meanings from 'The Lhamas' - Tolkien's linguistic dictionary, in book five of the 'History of Middle-earth' series, Part V, Section 2.)

Though it is preferred that you attempt to translate your name into Elvish (see below), it is not required. However, names that are not translated into Elvish, must then be in English (FAQ 1), and of course, please attempt to stay with the adjective-noun format to your name (e.g. Greenleaf, Stardome, Strongbow, etc.), while keeping it appropriate, non-distracting, and showing common sense.

Creating Elvish-sounding names from your imagination is, of course, allowable, but be forewarned, the approximate translation could lead to embarrassment or simply unintentional inappropriate names (e.g. Glamiel essentially means she- goblin - and would therefore not be appropriate as a name for an elf).

While members other races have been known to have names of Elvish derivation, Dwarves, Orcs, and Trolls never have Elvish names.

Elves (Eldar) - There are 2 Eldarin tongues generally used in the 'Lord of the Rings': "the High-elven or Quenya, and the Grey-elven, or Sindarin. The High- elven was an ancient tongue of Eldamar beyond the Sea, the first to be recorded in writing. It was no longer a birth-tongue, but had become, as it were, an 'Elven- Latin', still used for ceremony, and for high matters of lore and song".

"The Grey-elven was in origin akin to Quenya; for it was the language of those Eldar who, coming to the shores of Middle-earth, had not passed over the Sea but had lingered on the coasts in the country of Beleriand." Eventually, "their tongue had become far estranged from the speech of the Eldar from beyond the Sea." In general, the Elves in Middle-earth "had adopted Sindarin for daily use; and hence it was the tongue for all those Elves and Elf-Lords".

Direct quotes are from appendices E and F in the 'Return of the King'. HELP NAMES lists some web sites that may help in your character name selection.

What is MUME?

MUME, Multi-Users in Middle-earth, is a multiplayer text-based online game based upon J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth during the epic wars of the late Third Age between the forces of the Dark Lord and the armies of the Free peoples. MUME is completely at no cost and has been continuously running, expanded, and remastered by a community of volunteers since 1991.

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