elendil

masculine name. Elf-friend, Star-lover

Tar-Elendil was the fourth ruler of Númenor (UTI/219). Many centuries later a second, more famous, Elendil became the leader of the Men of the West against Sauron at the end of the Second Age and was considered the first king of Gondor and Arnor (LotR/1037). This name is attributed two different meanings: “Elf-friend” and “Star-lover” (WJ/410). The first interpretation was common among Men, and was derived from the ancient associations between Elda “Elf” and †él “star”. Properly speaking, though, his name was a compound of elen “star” and the suffix -(n)dil “lover”, so “Star-lover” is a better interpretation in proper Quenya. The proper Quenya for “Elf-friend” would be Eldandil.

Conceptual Development: In the very first draft of the tale of the Fall of Númenor, this character was named N. Agaldor > N. Amroth (LR/12, 31). When this character first appeared in the “Lost Road”, his name was ᴹQ. Herendil “Fortune’s Friend” and his father was called ᴹQ. Elendil (LR/57). In “The Notion Club Papers”, the character was given the Adûnaic name Ad. Nimruzân >> Nimruzîr “Elf-friend” (SD/389-90), and his contemporaneous Quenya name also shifted to ᴹQ. Elendil (SD/356). His father became ᴹQ. Amardil, later Q. Amandil.

The earlier character Ælfwine might be consider a precursor to Elendil, at least in the meaning of his name: “Elf-friend”. Therefore, the Early Qenya name ᴱQ. Eldairon of Ælfwine could be considered a precursor to the name Elendil (LT2/313).

Elendil

star-friend

Elendil masc. name"Star-friend", "Lover or student of stars", applied to those devoted to astronomical lore. However, when the Edain used this name they intended it to mean "Elf-friend", confusing elen "star" and elda "elf" (WJ:410). (This idea that the name was misapplied seems to be late; Tolken earlier interpreted the name as an ancient compound Eled + ndil so that the meaning really was "Elf-friend"; see Letters:386. See also NIL/NDIL in the Etymologies, where Elendil is equated with "Ælfwine", Elf-friend.) Allative Elendilenna "to Elendil" (PM:401); Elendil Vorondo genitive of Elendil Voronda "Elendil the Steadfast" _(CO) Pl. Elendili the Númenórean Elf-friends (Silm)_; the variant Elendilli in SD:403 would seem to presuppose a stem-form Elendill- not attested elsewhere. Tar-Elendil a Númenorean king, UT:210.

elendilmir

proper name. Star of Elendil

The jewel in the coronet of Arnor (LotR/1043). It is a compound of the name Elendil and the word mírë “jewel”.

elendil’s oath

Elendil’s Oath

Elendil’s oath made upon arriving in Middle-earth, repeated by Aragorn when he assumed kingship of Gondor (LotR/967).

eldandil

masculine name. Elf-friend

A term meaning “Elf-friend”, but implying an interest in them as a subject of lore (WJ/412). This name is a compound of Elda “Elf” and the suffix -(n)dil “-friend”.

quendil

masculine name. Elf-friend

A term translated as “Elf-friend” (WJ/410), but more accurately describing those concerned with the lore of Elven-kind (WJ/412). This name is a compound Quendë “Elf” and the suffix -(n)dil “friend”. It also appear in the longer form Quendendil.

sin quentë quendingoldo elendilenna

*this much Pengoloð said to Elendil

ar elendil vorondo voronwë

and of the faith of Elendil the Faithful

Second phrase @@@

maquente elendil

*asked Elendil

Elendil

Devoted to the Stars

Elendil's name actually means "Devoted to the Stars" in Quenya.

For the Dúnedain it was intended to signify "Elf-friend" (Adûnaic Nimruzîr), since they tended to confuse the Quenya element EL for both "Elf" and "star".

tar-elendil

Tar-Elendil

Elendil means "Friend of the Elves" in Quenya (from elen "star, Elf" and -ndil "friend, lover, devoted to"). Like all the rulers of Númenor who took their royal names in Quenya, Elendil added the prefix tar- ("high") to his name when he received the Scepter. Tar-Elendil's Adûnaic name was "Ar-Nimruzîr" although it is not mentioned by Tolkien.