[Alassante]

I need a few names for OC Dunedain. I was looking at Old English names but now I am wondering if I should lean towards Gaelic or Celtic or something.

[Rhapsody]

A blatant copy from another thread:
http://www.openscrolls.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2221

There is a certain political stand taken by Dunedain who give their children Elvish names instead of Adunaic names. it shows a willingness to trust, and to some extent, be dependent on the Elves. Given the role of Rivendell in the history of Arthedain, it might have been a fairly common thing.

Also:

In an introduction to Elvish by Jim Allan it says the following:
In the names of the royal houses of Nûmenor, Arnor, and Gondor, there is a repetition of themes, and some repetition of names. Only a few examples show of systematic variation In the nothern line the is Celebrindor son of Celepharn. <snip>
To summarize, it would seem that the Elvish names used by the Dúnedain resemble those of German nomenclature in being composed of two themes, and these themes could be combined into different names. But the German practise of a regular varation on the same themes within a family was only occasionally followed by the royal lines of the north and of Gondor, and by the house of Stewards. Alliteration of names within a family was not followed either. Names were sometimes picked for a reason, as Hyarmendacil "South-victor", Rómendacil "East-victor', Elessar Telcontar 'Elf-stone Strider': but these are all names taken by kings after the have ascended the trone. Arvedui 'Last-King' is a name
bestowed because of the prophecy that he shall be the last King of Arnor. The names of the Stewards and, we are told, of other men and women of the Dúnedain were 'oftebn the names of Elves and Men remembered in the songs and histories of the First Age (as Beren, Húrin) '(III, 406n)

Just one final thing:
I was going through the family trees of the house of men this morning and I noticed for example Halmir -> Haldir (not the marchwarden!) -> Handir -> Brandir

The house of Beör is interesting as well:
Bëor -> Bregor -> Two sons named: Barahir & Bregolas

Bregolas -> Beregund and Baragund
Barahir -> Beren

So you see how Tolkien used the alliteration here.

[Alassante]

Okay now I am more confused. So should I do a variation on a name previously used in Tolkien legends OR use a Germanic name OR just grab a name from a first or second age person? Sorry I'm dense this morning and that flew over my head at the speed of light.

[SpaceWeavil]

[Rhapsody]

Tradition says: elven Sindarin names from heroes from the past. There are variations on it, like Beleg (father) can become Bereg (son). I have for example in one of my stories a dunedain ranger (from the North) named Valmir, or Negril or Maldor or Gilorn or... You get the idea. A sindarin name index or dictionary can give you plenty of ideas. If you don't have a wordlist handy, just let me know by PM or e-mail what your character is like and what you want to see a bit in the meaning of a name. Tolkien used the German practise of a regular varation in Sindarin names.

Noble names for kings do carry a certain amount of foreshadowing and as you can see, once they do get the crown, there is a name change. I wouldn't use old English names, unless the lad has Rohirrim blood as well.

[Vilwarin]

There are quite a lot of names in the Silmarillion, it is treasure. But it should be elvish, Sindarin mostly, but it depends on where and when your Dúnedain live. Somehow I could never name a character Feanor, pour guy. *lol* I once made a list with some names, there are a LOT more, though.

Talath Nindalf Ingloron Gilbarad
Tathornen Mablung Halbarad Armegil
Melyanon Malvegil Ellenion Ereinion
Curunil Belegorn Gelion Belegon
Rimlos Falastel Thorondil Thorongil
Glîndil Mauerdil Gilvagor Daeron
Emyndûr Inglor Barahir Halladan
Itarhûn Belecthor Erynbenn Ecthelion
Balduin Beren ldomar Baldur Berengar
Ethelmar Hirthor Cirion Hirvell
Haldor Haldur Elphir Erchirion
Amrothos Imrahil Denethor Haldon
Gethron Tarkil Doron Angrim
Turgon Aegnor Aerandir Herudil
Baragund Arador

~Vil

[mistressofbucklebury]

... Oh you could just call him Roy

sorry I couldn't resist

[Alassante]

[NancyBrooke]

[ghettoelleth]