Dwarf Names?

[elleth]

Goodness knows where this plotbunny came from, but now that it's here, I need some help with dwarf names...

1.) Do we have any indication about the names of the Fathers of the Dwarves (I won't even ask about the canonical wives, ) other than Durin's? I am aware that the dwarf catalogue in the Poetic Edda served Tolkien for inspiration, but there are much more than seven names in the Dvergatál, and most have already been used by Tolkien in some way, so I'm a bit at a loss.

2.) Durin(n) is an Old Norse name, apparently with the meaning of sleepy. Can we assume that this is one of the 'public names' later given, rather than one of the inner names or one of Aule's devising?

A similar question goes for Gimli. The problem here is that this is a Khuzdul word meaning star, and that would go against the taboo of not revealing dwarvish inner names to different peoples, so can we count the Norse Gimlé/Gimli (a type of heaven/paradise) as potential origin of Gimli's name as an accidental homophone to the Khuzdul, or, given his history as elf-friend who sailed to Valinor, a true name that happens to be a polyseme? I'm by no means an expert for dwarves, so help would be most appreciated here.

3.) Dwarf women: Dís (the only canonically named female dwarf we have to go by and meaning woman/lady/goddess, though with associations to the Valkyries of Norse Mythology) gave me the idea to look for similar terms: Víf, Drós, Kván (added for own reference, Hlín, Vár, Frú, Eir)... with women being rather scarce, I could see at least some of their names reflecting that they are female rather than any individual qualities. Implausible, odd, different canonical naming conventions?

Thanks in advance; I know that's quite the slew of questions.

[randy]

So Snezi, Dopi, and Grumpi won't do it for you?

[elleth]

*smacks forehead* How could I forget about dear old uncle Walt? Of course these are perfect, Randy. Thanks.

No.

[nierielraina]

Elleth, are you familiar with Adaneth? She is the queen of all things Dwarven. ;D I think you can email her through HASA. She's quite open to discussiong anything of a dwarven nature from names to customs or even courting rituals.

[elleth]

I wasn't familiar with her so far, but I'll be sure to message her. Thank you, NiRi!

[pandemonium]

Jul 21, 2011 16:01:38 GMT -6 elleth said:

Goodness knows where this plotbunny came from, but now that it's here, I need some help with dwarf names...

All those images of PJ's Dwarves perhaps?

1.) Do we have any indication about the names of the Fathers of the Dwarves (I won't even ask about the canonical wives, ) other than Durin's? I am aware that the dwarf catalogue in the Poetic Edda served Tolkien for inspiration, but there are much more than seven names in the Dvergatál, and most have already been used by Tolkien in some way, so I'm a bit at a loss.

Good question. I spent some time on Dwarvish research when I was writing Chapters 26 through 29 of The Elendilmir, and found nothing on the rest of the names of the Fathers of the Dwarves.

2.) Durin(n) is an Old Norse name, apparently with the meaning of sleepy. Can we assume that this is one of the 'public names' later given, rather than one of the inner names or one of Aule's devising?

I think that's a safe assumption, given that Tolkien is pretty emphatic about the Dwarves keeping their true names secret.

A similar question goes for Gimli. The problem here is that this is a Khuzdul word meaning star, and that would go against the taboo of not revealing dwarvish inner names to different peoples, so can we count the Norse Gimlé/Gimli (a type of heaven/paradise) as potential origin of Gimli's name as an accidental homophone to the Khuzdul, or, given his history as elf-friend who sailed to Valinor, a true name that happens to be a polyseme? I'm by no means an expert for dwarves, so help would be most appreciated here.

I'd go with the homophone argument.

3.) Dwarf women: Dís (the only canonically named female dwarf we have to go by and meaning woman/lady/goddess, though with associations to the Valkyries of Norse Mythology) gave me the idea to look for similar terms: Víf, Drós, Kván (added for own reference, Hlín, Vár, Frú, Eir)... with women being rather scarce, I could see at least some of their names reflecting that they are female rather than any individual qualities. Implausible, odd, different canonical naming conventions?

I found Tolkien's later essay on the Dwarves in The History of Middle-earth v. XII The Peoples of Middle-earth to be a decent resource on Dwarven culture, but there is a tremendous amount of space for filling in the blanks. So be aware there's a lot of Dwarvish fanon out there that is sometimes taken as hard canon. Nothing wrong with Dwarvish fanon, but when it is touted as The Truth with scant evidence, that makes me quirk a skeptical brow.

I'm sure you've checked out Fauskanger's Ardalambion section on Khuzdul but what the heck, why not link it here?

Lazy old Gilamancer that I am, I just used an Old Norse name glossary for my original Dwarvish characters, including the women. The link to that is in the end notes of Chapter 26, Beyond the Doors of Durin of the aforementioned WIP (and yes, I am still working on it — haven't given up; life is just throwing wrenches into a consistent pattern of creative writing).

I had a lot of fun writing about Sámaril's stint in Cassarondo (later Moria) and examining the culture of the Dwarves as they appear in the Pandë!verse. I intend to revisit Cassarondo when a Dwarf-woman leads Mélamírë to a vein of an unusual metal — argyrodite — which will provide the "missing element" for Galadriel's Mirror. Yet another WIP languishing on iLugbúrz.

Thanks in advance; I know that's quite the slew of questions.

It goes without saying that I look forward to your vision of the Dwarves, and truly, don't hold back due to what little is known in canon. More fodder to play with, I say!