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Lord of the Rings names

  1. Nessa

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "headlands, promontory"

    • Description:

      Like its cousin Tessa, Nessa -- a shortening of Vanessa or Agnes or Anastasia among other possibilities -- is an attractive nickname that can stand on its own.
  2. Ori

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "my light"

    • Description:

      Friendly but substantial.
  3. Dora

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Theodora and Isidora, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "gift"

    • Description:

      Dora is poised for a comeback, right behind Laura, Nora, Cora, and Flora. First-time parents who haven't watched cartoons in a couple of decades should be aware of the Dora the Explorer connection, which has its pluses and minuses.
  4. Will

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of William

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protector"

    • Description:

      Will has definitely replaced Bill, not only as a nickname for William but as a stand-alone name as well, partly thanks to England's Prince William, also known as Wills. Currently outside the Top 1000 in the US and the UK, it wouldn't feel totally out of style.
  5. Rian

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little king"

    • Description:

      More authentic and original form of Ryan, but far less common of the two spellings in the US. There were about 170 baby boys named Rian in the US last year, versus over 4000 named Ryan.
  6. Bill

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of William

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"

    • Description:

      Most Bills today are dads...or grandpas. The younger Williams are usually nicknamed Will, or called by their full names.
  7. Elanor

    • Origin:

      English, Literature, Sindarin

    • Meaning:

      "sun star"

    • Description:

      On one hand, Elanor is a spelling variation of the classic Eleanor with a slightly lighter, contemporary look about it. Usually said to derive from the Latin phrase, alia Aenor meaning "other Aenor", the exact origins and meaning of Eleanor are unknown.
  8. Hilda

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "battle woman"

    • Description:

      Short for Brunhilda, the operatic Valkyrie of Teutonic legend, Hilda still has not quite shaken off that image that image. Though with the resurgence of Matilda, she might just have a bit of a comeback.
  9. Chica

    • Description:

      Chica is a feminine name with direct Spanish origins, literally meaning 'girl' or 'small girl' in Spanish. Simple yet distinctive, this name has an endearing quality with its straightforward meaning and brevity. Chica is not widely used as a formal given name in English-speaking countries but may be found as a nickname or term of endearment in Spanish-speaking communities. The name carries connotations of youthfulness, vibrancy, and cultural connection to Hispanic heritage. Its simplicity gives it a certain charm while its direct meaning makes it an uncommon but meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with clear Latino roots.
  10. Olo

    • Description:

      Olo is a compact masculine name with diverse cultural connections. In Polynesian languages, particularly Hawaiian, it can relate to concepts of voice or sound. In some African traditions, the name may be connected to words for greatness or authority. The brevity of Olo gives it a distinctive, modern feel despite its ancient roots in various cultures. The repetition of the 'o' sound creates a melodic, balanced quality that makes it memorable and easy to pronounce across language boundaries. Extremely rare in the United States, Olo maintains an exotic appeal while being simple to spell and say. The name might particularly resonate with parents seeking a minimalist name with international connections or those looking to honor Polynesian or certain African cultural heritages in a subtle yet authentic way.

  11. Everard

    • Origin:

      English spelling variation of Eberhard

    • Meaning:

      "hardy"

    • Description:

      An older form of Everett that stays closer to its Germanic roots. Distinguished Everard is the name of several historical figures and literary characters, including a minor hobbit in The Lord of the Rings. Yet, even now that Ever- names are the height of style, Everard hasn't been seen on the charts for decades.
  12. Mim

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Miriam

    • Description:

      A hum of a name occasionally heard. Madame Mim was a villain in Disney's "The Sword in the Stone."
  13. Bob

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Robert

    • Meaning:

      "bright fame"

    • Description:

      Kids love Bob the Builder, but do they want to be Bob the Builder? Bob and Bobby have been out of style since the 1960s, but as vintage nickname-names -- Fred, Archie -- come back into vogue, Bob may tag along. Charlie Sheen used it for one of his twin sons.
  14. Nori

    • Origin:

      Japanese, Norse

    • Meaning:

      "doctrine or seaweed; north or small person"

    • Description:

      Attractive, simple Japanese choice that, while not strictly unisex, could work even better for a girl, especially now that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West use it as the nickname for their daughter North. Nori is also the name of an edible seaweed used in wrapping sushi.
  15. Dain

    • Origin:

      Variation of Dane, Dean, or Dáinn, literary, Norse

    • Meaning:

      "from Denmark; valley; died"

    • Description:

      Dain might simply be considered an unusual spelling variation of the familiar Dane and Dean, however, it may also have its roots in Norse mythology, in which it belonged to a several different figures, including a dwarf and a stag. It also has two literary connections: it appears in Tolkien's work and in the more recent Fourth Wing series by Rebecca Yarros. 2024 saw a slight increased in use of the name, perhaps because of its recent bookish link.
  16. Elmo

    • Origin:

      Italian from German

    • Meaning:

      "protector"

    • Description:

      Elmo, like fellow Sesame Street characters Kermit and Grover, has a hard time being taken seriously. (It isn't easy being red either.)
  17. Loni

    • Description:

      Loni is a versatile name used for both boys and girls, though traditionally masculine in some cultures. With Hawaiian origins, Loni means 'sky' or 'heaven,' connecting the bearer to celestial elements. In Germanic usage, it's a short form of names containing the element 'lon,' meaning 'ready for battle.' The name gained some recognition in the United States through actress Loni Anderson in the 1970s-80s. As a masculine name, Loni remains uncommon but appealing for its brevity and friendly sound. It works well cross-culturally, with recognizable pronunciations in multiple languages. The name's simplicity and positive meanings make it attractive to parents seeking something short and meaningful without being trendy. Loni's dual-gender usage varies by region, with stronger masculine associations in Scandinavian and Pacific Island cultures.

  18. Balin

    • Origin:

      Hindi

    • Meaning:

      "mighty sword"

    • Description:

      Unusual Asian option, and also the name of the Dwarf Lord from Lord of the Rings.
  19. Bowman

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "archer"

    • Description:

      Bowman has a lot of winning ingredients: an occupational surname, a cool "Bo" sound, and an archery-related meaning. Given to around 40 boys in the US in a recent year, it could work as a rarer, but not outrageous, alternative to the likes of Bodhi, Beau, Bowen, and Brody.
  20. Frodo

    • Origin:

      Literary name

    • Description:

      An admirable meaning, with roots in a Germanic word meaning wisdom, but we fear it will never be detached from the hobbit hero of The Lord of the Rings.