-wë

-wë is a Quenya suffix used mainly in masculine names more usual in the First Age. It is translated as "man".

It was seen in names of the Elves of Cuiviénen and the Great March: Minwe, Tatwe, Nerwe, Morwe, Nurwe, Ingwe, Finwe, Elwe, Olwe, Nowe, Lenwe.

Perhaps it was seen also in Manwe and Eonwe; and perhaps even Elenwë which is a feminine name.

Etymology

From PQ ending -wego < root WEG

Cognates

The element is seen in names of Quenya form which in turn perhaps represents Common Eldarin. The name ending didn't seem to survive in later generations or in other languages; an exception is the element -u seen only in the name Elu (from Elwe) who was better known as Thingol in Sindarin. The Elf Nowe became better known as Cirdan.

Olwe became Olue in Telerin. Lenwe was known as Denweg.

See also

• vea, vie

References

• Quenya-English Wordlist compiled by Helge Kåre Fauskanger