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Lexicon of Names

Common name elements in Tolkien's works

This lexicon lists some of the more common elements found in the names of places and people in Tolkien's work. These are mainly derived from Elvish tongues, but some common forms from other languages, such as Old English or Adûnaic, are also included, as well as a few less recognisable words that are still found in modern English. There are very large number of these name elements, and this page is being expanded to include more over time.

Where possible, the particular Elvish source language for an element is shown, but sometimes this is not possible (for example, where a common root word occurs in more than one language). In cases like this, terms are simply labelled 'Elvish root'.

zimra (Adûnaic) probably 'jewel'. We have limited details about name elements from the Adûnaic language of Númenor, but in this case the meaning seems to be 'jewel' or 'gemstone'. It appears in two names, and we have Elvish equivalents for both: Zimrathôn translates as Hostamir (uncertain, but probably something like 'jewel-hoard' or 'jewel-treasure') while Zimraphel translates as Míriel, 'jewel-daughter'. Both Elvish equivalents contain mîr, 'jewel', strongly implying that meaning for Adûnaic zimra.

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