Amilessë
From Tolkien Gateway
Amilessë, Quenya for "mother-name", was the name given to an elf at near birth by his or her mother. It is part of the essë, or naming, of High Elves, along with the essi ("father-name") and epessë ("after-name" or honorific). The amilessë is a private name to an elf and is used by family and close friends. The mother-name was often quite significant because elven mothers had insight into the characters and abilities of their children, and many also had the gift of prophetic foresight.[1]
For example Fëanáro ("Spirit of Fire") was the amilessë of Fëanor.[2] Other names were Aracáno "high chieftain", Atarince "Little father", Tyelcormo "hasty-riser".[1]
Also called Essi Apacenyo ("names of foresight").[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", Note on Mother-names, p. 339
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", The case of the Quenya change of þ to s, p. 333
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Laws and Customs among the Eldar, Of Naming", p. 216
