Wilderland

The name 'Wilderland' was invented by Tolkien, and so there is no formally preferred pronunciation. The first syllable being 'wild' might suggest a long 'i' sound, as for example in 'wildlife'. On the other hand, the name's linguistic origins in words like 'wilderness' strongly imply a short 'i' sound would be preferred. See note 2 below for more on the etymology of the name.

'Wilderland' is based on the word 'wilderness', which originally meant an uninhabited region. It was also influenced by the old word 'wilder', meaning 'wander, be lost', a word considered archaic in modern usage, but surviving in the word 'bewilder'. The entire name can be interpreted as something like 'empty land of wanderers'. The lands east of the Misty Mountains may have been given this name simply because they were wild and untamed, compared to the more populated areas to the west. Alternatively, the name is perhaps connected to the Nandor, who wandered away from the Great Journey as they passed through this region.