Elvish duil- means 'river' (from the same root as -duin in names like Anduin). The ending -wen has various possible meanings (it derives from a root word that can mean 'fresh', 'green' or 'young') but based on context in the name Duilwen it seems to derive from gwên, 'green'. The reason for the name is not explained; perhaps the river was literally green in colour, or perhaps its name relates it to the Green-elves who lived in the lands through which it flowed.
|