Essë
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.
- Ereinion Gil-galad: The son of 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").
- 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