Glóredhel's name is never explicitly explained, but it can scarcely be interpreted as anything other than 'golden Elf'. The 'golden' element (glor-) presumably referred to the colour of her hair (golden hair was common among her people, and indeed her father Hador was surnamed Goldenhead). Edhel clearly means 'Elf', but cannot be meant literally, as Glóredhel belonged the race of Men. It must be intended in the sense 'Elf-like', or perhaps reflecting her father's status as the 'peer of Elven-lords' (The Silmarillion 17, Of the Coming of Men into the West).
|