The Names in Tolkien's work

As I was reading the last chapter I noticed a great example of the names in Tolkien's works. This was perhaps one of the most challenging aspects to me when I first read Tolkien: all the names. I didn't speak Elvish, Entish, or the tongues of Men in Middle-earth (still don't) and it was hard to keep track of the names, particularly when a character has multiple names.

So here's my example. We met Ungoliant (at least the earliest version of her) for the first time in the Darkening of Valinor chapter. And she was one of those name challenges. Here's what we learn:

• Ungwë Lianti, the great spider
• Wirilómë or Gloomweaver
• Ungoliont the spider
• Gwerlum the Black

That's a lot, huh? The main thing to remember is that Tolkien was a philologist--language was his profession. Understanding language, how it came to be, research old/dead languages. It's what he did. At the basis of much of his Middle-earth mythology is him trying his hand at his own invented language: Elvish. (That is a great simplification for not all Elves spoke the same language).

You could Google search an Elvish dictionary and begin to discover the roots and grammar structure and I'm sure that would solve your problems. People make a living on this stuff after all: see David Salo.

But if you pay attention to the context and word descriptions that Tolkien gives you can start to catch meanings of these complicated names: Of Ungoliant we know she is a giant black spider who consumes all light and produces misty dark vapors as a result of her consumption. Perhaps why she is known as The Black or Gloomweaver. 

Don't let the names intimidate you. After several readings you'll know who is who. And you may be able to piece together a little Elvish along the way!