The Huntsman of the Valar, spouse of Vána (S/29). His Quenya name is derived from his name in Valarin: Val. Arǭmēz, of unknown meaning (WJ/400). Its initial vowel changed from A to O, probably by association with the Quenya root √ROM “noise of horns” (WJ/400). The Elves interpreted his name as meaning “Horn-Blowing” or “Sound of Horns” because of his use of the great horn Valaróma (WJ/400; PM/358; PE21/82, 85).
Conceptual Development: This name dates back to the earliest Lost Tales, when ᴱQ. Orome was derived from the root ᴱ√OŘO “dawn” or ᴱ√ORO “steepness, rising” (QL/70-1). In The Etymologies, the name ᴹQ. Orome was derived directly from the primitive root ᴹ√(O)ROM “loud noise, horn blast” (Ety/ORÓM, ROM), though in a deleted entry it was derived instead from ᴹ√GOROM, an extension of ᴹ√GOR “violence, impetus, haste” (EtyAC/GÓROM).
In a list of roots written around 1959-60, Tolkien gave Arǭmēz as the primitive form of Oromë (PE17/138), though the idea that this was his Valarin name did not appear until the Quendi and Eldar essay from the same period (WJ/400).
Oromë noun name of a Vala, adopted and adapted from Valarin. Observes Pengolodh, "the Eldar now take the name to singify 'horn-blowing' or 'horn-blower', but to the Valar it had no such meaning" (WJ:400-401, cf. SA:rom and ROM, TÁWAR in Etym, VT14:5). Genitive Oromëo and possessive Oroméva in WJ:368. _._Loose compound Oromë róma "an Oromë horn", sc. "one of Orome's horns (if he had more than one)" (WJ:368). A deleted entry in the Etymologies cited the name as Orómë with a long middle vowel (VT45:15). Oromendil, masc. name *"Friend of Oromë" (UT:210)