Elven Names

Proper Names

Ancient Elves, known as Oelvei (oo-YEL-vy) in their own tongue, spoke the language Eldarin which is still widely used among elves, especially among the High Elves and in courtly settings. Due to their longevity, the Elves have generally kept this language orthodox for traditional naming and it remains exceedingly predominate in the conjugation of first names. Although Eldarin itself is airy sounding with little inflection, most elves speak the Sindarin language which has phonetics and sounds similar to our Danish or Dutch. Thus the names, although following Eldarin conjugation, have mostly become phonetically Sindarin. Elvish first names generally have a lot of “ah” and “ih” sounds to them and usually end in one of the following forms: ai, ei, ia, eia, ian, ion, ara, as, ir, ira, ani, eil or il. First names are sometimes short and sometimes long, but in either case, the ending is usually preceded by a prefix which has a lot of vowels in it. Below are examples of proper name formation in the traditional Elven manner: Male Names Female Names Unisex Names Araeneil Baelia Aegahneira Cyraenir Elareil Daenestira Faendei Gaeleidra Haelirei Iolas Kaitheileia Karanil Klaerion Leiathira Meara Mithrandir Neisharai Oaeribil Resalian Shaleia Shadara Thranduil Taeriel Treivani Veilareion Viesira Unevristani * note – surface elf names often sound very "aloof"

Family/Second Names

There is a split, among Elves, in the formation of last names. Most Elves (with the exception of Gray elves) have adopted Sindarin as their main language (it is more or less a translation of Common into Elven) and the result is last names, which are simply two common words, melded together. However, there is still a strong faction that strongly believes in naming in the ancient style and thus there are two conjugation styles for last names which are as follows:

Eldarin Naming

The first is the Eldarin method, which is almost always used in Gray Elven families, within court and also among traditionalists of other surface elf races. It is most certainly the ancient way and such names are similar to Eldarin first names, in that they possess many vowels and an airy sound in pronunciation (note: those who use this style pronounce both their first and last names in the Eldarin style). Last names of this style usually end in one of the following forms: ian, ien, il, ion, iel, ane, ene, ine, aar, ar, aas, or ir. The formation of the prefix is similar to that of first names, but always seems to come out sounding like a last name. Below are examples of last names formed in this style: Aengaelien Baelaeanir Celoniel Diereianaar Esareien Feileithane Gelisine Halar Iselene Kaenganaas Larethian Mirenar Namathir Raenion Sildaethanil Taeloerian Ulane Vaserion

Sindarin Naming The second method is the Sindarin style, which is used by most Elven families. It is the common version of naming and such names are far easier to come up with (so if you’re not a Gray elf and don’t like complication start here)! The style simply places two common words together to form a name. The words usually have some connection to nature, natural objects or traditional Elven items (such as bows). The names do not necessarily say anything about the individual and often are formed by taking a portion of both the father and mother’s last names to form a new one (i.e. Alai Wintersky and Celestani Riverwind have a child whose last name becomes Winterwind). Below are examples of last names formed in this style: Ashbow Ashbough Blackstone Cedarwing Dewblade Elkseed Foalcloud Goldmoon Hailcloak Ivyleaf Larkwing Moonbeam Nightstar Oakbrow Oakleaf Pinemist Riverstone Starshine Stareyes Treeneedle Wolfblade