Dwarven
Names
(By Geir)
Dear Dwarves,
future Dwarves and not only Dwarves! Read this if you want some
suggestions on choosing authentic-sounding dwarven names, and, in
fact, authentic-sounding names also for members of other kingdoms.
If you are a Plaza visitor or a Plaza member dissatisfied with your
name (and having 10 points to spare), it’s something for you.
Just to avoid confusion:
- Do
I have to have a dwarven name to become a Dwarf?
Of course not! There are plenty of highly-regarded
Dwarves in Khazad-dûm with hobbit names, elfish names,
or names of uncertain (or disreputable) origins. This is just
in case you wanted to choose more Tolkien-oriented name.
- Are
those names only for the Dwarves?
No. With name like the ones suggested below you will feel perfectly
at home for example in Meduseld or in the Shire (and, I believe,
in any kingdom). Only, please spare real dwarven names from
Voluspå (see below) for the Dwarves.
- Are
those Khuzdul names?
No. Dwarves kept their real, Khuzdul names secret, and did not
reveal them to the strangers. In effect, we do not know any
of them, except for the names of Petty Dwarves (Mîm and
his sons) or probable epithets like Azaghâl or Gamil Zirak.
Most of the other dwarven names found in Tolkien’s writings
are Old Norse names.
Now, for the
hints.
The first aid
in choosing the name is Barrow-down Name Generator. Unfortunately,
it is very monotonous when giving the names for the Dwarves. Let’s
go directly for the sources, those which Tolkien himself has used.
-
Where
has Tolkien got the names for the Dwarves?
Most of the dwarven names are from the Poetic Edda, a collection
of nordic mythological poems, or more specifically from the
prophecy Voluspå, where the creation of the Dwarves is
described. After substracting the dwarven names already used
by Tolkien (including also, of course, Gandalf), the remaining
names are:
Nýi,
Nidi, Nordri, Sudri, Asutri, Vestri (four cardinal direction),
Althiöf, Niping, An, Anar, Ai, Miödvitnir, Veig, Gálf,
Vindálf, Thekk, Vitr, Núr, Nýrád,
Regin, Rádsvid, Hepti, Vili, Hanar, Svior, Billing, Bruni,
Bild, Búri (or Búrin), Hornbori, Fræg, Lóni,
Aurvang, Iari, Eikinskialdi (used in a way, since it means Oakenshield),
Draupnir, Dólgthrasir, Hár, Haugspori, Hlævang,
Skirvir, Virvir, Skafid, Ai, Alf, Yngvi, Fjalar, Frosti, Finn,
Ginnar, Heri, Höggstari, Hliódolf, Móin.
Quite a
few names, aren’t they? And all unused. But they may not
be enough for all fans of the Dwarves. And, there is certain
problem...
- There
are all male names! I want to be a female Dwarf! Can’t I
have a female dwarven name? A very noble sentiment (shared
by the writer of the above), and of course you can. Only, it’s
a bit more tricky... Read ahead.
The only
female dwarven name Tolkien gave us is Dís. It is of
Old Norse origin and means, roughly speaking, the goddess. (For
example the Valkyries, who took dead heroes to Valhalla, were
called "the dísir of Odin".) So, female Dwarves,
go and get for yourself any good-sounding name from the Viking
sagas! Plenty of Viking ladies, sorceresses and priestesses
there to choose from. And you don’t need to be excessively
careful with male and female forms of the names. Tolkien himself
wasn’t. Gríma is actually a female name... Yes,
Riders of Rohan, this is also the source for you.
The best source
of both masculine and feminine ancient nordic names is probably
this site: http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/landnamabok.html
But, if you
are curious about meaning, pronunciation, and exact origin of your
name, or you want even more names to choose from, you may want to
visit also this, more scholar-oriented, site: http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/ONNames.htm
With some research,
material collected in http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/ONNames.htm
allows you to construct Old Norse names of your own design. Names
like Dragonhelm (Ormkell (M), Ormkattla (F)) or Bloodaxe (Blódrx)... |
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