Tolkien Gateway

Essë

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'''Essë''' is the [[Quenya]] word for "name", as well as the 31st [[tengwa]] letter. In [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien's]] [[legendarium]], [[Elves]] are given three names in their lives, the '''[[father-name]]''', the '''[[amilessë]]''' (''mother-name'') and the '''[[epessë]]''' (nickname or honorary title).
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'''Essë''' is the [[Quenya]] word for "name", as well as the 31st [[tengwar|tengwa]] letter. In [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien's]] [[legendarium]], [[Elves]] are given three names in their lives, the '''[[father-name]]''', the '''[[amilessë]]''' (''mother-name''), and the '''[[epessë]]''' (nickname or honorary title).  
  
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Elves were typically given two names at or near birth: a father-name, which often was based on the father's own name or (in later times) was derived from old legends, and a mother-name, which was held to be prophetic.
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* [[Father-name]]: given by the father and often based on the father's own name or derived from old legends. Given at or near birth.
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* [[Amilessë]]: given by the mother and was often prophetic in nature. Given at or near birth.
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* [[Epessë]]: often chosen by the Elf himself or herself as an honorific later in life.
  
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The epessë was the third type of name, and unlike the other two, it was given later in life, or chosen by the Elf himself. An Elf could be referred to by any of the three, but a self-chosen name typically took preference.
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The father-name and amilessë were private names only used by family and close friends. The epessë is the name an Elf uses in public.
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=== Examples ===
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*'''[[Maglor]]''': The son of [[Fëanor]] of the [[House of Finwë]], was given the father-name ''Canafinwë'' ("Strong-voiced [of] Finwë"). His amilessë was ''Makalaurë'' ("forging gold" in the poetic sense). The name Maglor is the [[Sindarin]] version of his amilessë.
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* '''[[Ereinion Gil-galad]]''': The son of [[Orodreth of Nargothrond|Orodreth]] was given the father-name ''Rodnor''. His amilessë was ''Gil-galad''. As [[High King of the Noldor]], his epessë was ''Ereinion'' ("Scion of Kings").
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*'''[[Finrod Felagund]]''': The son of Finarfin was given the father-name of ''Findaráto''. He is
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usually referred to as ''Felagund'' ("Hewer of Caves"), originally a derogatory nickname given to him because of his dwell at [[Nargothrond]]. Finrod adopted the name as his epessë and made it a title of honour.
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Findaráto
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[[Category:Elves]]
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[[Category:Names]]

Revision as of 04:15, 28 April 2006

Essë is the Quenya word for "name", as well as the 31st tengwa letter. In Tolkien's legendarium, Elves are given three names in their lives, the father-name, the amilessë (mother-name), and the epessë (nickname or honorary title).

  • Father-name: given by the father and often based on the father's own name or derived from old legends. Given at or near birth.
  • Amilessë: given by the mother and was often prophetic in nature. Given at or near birth.
  • Epessë: often chosen by the Elf himself or herself as an honorific later in life.

The father-name and amilessë were private names only used by family and close friends. The epessë is the name an Elf uses in public.

Examples

  • Maglor: The son of Fëanor of the House of Finwë, was given the father-name Canafinwë ("Strong-voiced [of] Finwë"). His amilessë was Makalaurë ("forging gold" in the poetic sense). The name Maglor is the Sindarin version of his amilessë.
  • Finrod Felagund: The son of Finarfin was given the father-name of Findaráto. He is

usually referred to as Felagund ("Hewer of Caves"), originally a derogatory nickname given to him because of his dwell at Nargothrond. Finrod adopted the name as his epessë and made it a title of honour. Findaráto

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