Account “Reuben Vanhinsbergh”

Mae govannen.

I've only just found this site but I have managed to spend the last two hours exploring and experimenting with various Quenya and Sindarin words and translating! Thank you so much for all your hard work maintaining and running the site!

I am an absolute novice when it comes to any elvish language. (I can barely speak English, and it's my native tongue!).

My name is Reuben, which means in Hebrew "behold, a son". Would an appropriate translation into Sindarin be Iondir? Ion being son and -dir a male suffix?

I have a feeling I may have made a fool of myself but I'm happy to hear any suggestions.

Aldaleon brought your question to the Vinye Lambengolmor Discord server: discord.gg

There isn’t a simple answer. The etymology of Reuben is from ancient Hebrew reu + ben “to see (imperative) a son”. The equivalent ancient Elvish phrase would be elā yondō, which in Sindarin might have developed as follows elāyondō > elaiondo > elaeond > eleon. So in Sindarin, my best guess is Elëon, based mostly on the phonological development of Fëanor < Phayanāro.

I am more confident of the Quenya form, which would be Elëondo.

But none of that is anything a beginner would be reasonably able to figure out.

Thank you Paul for your kind response. I am impressed with both suggestions and the process you used. I can see I have much to learn! Thank you for taking the time to help.