Essë
From Tolkien Gateway
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 ("Star of Radiance"). 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 ("Hair-champion"). Finrod is the Sindarin version of Findaráto. He is usually referred to as Felagund ("Hewer of Caves"), originally a derogatory nickname given to him because of his dwelling at Nargothrond. Finrod adopted the name as his epessë and made it a title of honour.
- Galadriel: The only daughter of Finarfin was given the father-name of Artanis ("Noble Woman")and the mother-name of Nerwen ("Man-Maiden"). Her epessë, Alatáriel ("Maiden Crowned with a Radiant Garland"), was given to her by her husband, Celeborn. The name Galadriel is the Sindarin version of her epessë.