Lol'd.

But seriously, twelve names? I only knew about Aragorn and Strider, and I think Son of Arathorn. Those three names are practically all you need.

I do see what you're saying about Sauron and Saruman's names being similar, though to be honest I don't care about Aragorn having a bunch of different names.

I seem to be getting a slight vibe of sarcasm from the entry, though... Is it just me?

I enjoyed Harry Potter as much as the next person who enjoyed Harry Potter (maybe slightly more), but Lord of the Rings changed fantasy and even science fiction forever. Also, not all of those are names, some are titles, and real life Kings and Pontiffs totes have that many titles.

Without Lord of the Rings, there is no Harry Potter (which would make me because I like both quite a bit, though once you've read those series other fantasy novels tend to, well, suck).

I do see what you're saying about Sauron and Saruman's names being similar, though to be honest I don't care about Aragorn having a bunch of different names.

 

I seem to be getting a slight vibe of sarcasm from the entry, though... Is it just me?

Well, the problem is that EVERYONE gets like twelve names. It's hard enough keeping track of a cast of characters without having to worry about their many aliases which are used constantly and at random throughout the series.

And oh, um... I actually wasn't being sarcastic in the second two "letters". I really do attribute most of the LotR movies' success to the soundtrack and applaud Jackson for simplifying things a bunch. And JKR really is a genius. Like if you look at her usage of names (e.g. Weasley family follows Arthurian legend, Black family follows constellations, etc.) or even take an etymological look at most of them, it's all rather fascinating.

P.S. Merry is a girl's name.

That's just a nickname; Meriadoc is his actual name, which isn't a girl's name because it's not a real name at all. =P

And I personally have no problem with Sauron/Saruman, and I actually kinda like it like that. But whatever.

but I like people having twelve names!

P.S. Merry is a girl's name.

 

That's just a nickname; Meriadoc is his actual name, which isn't a girl's name because it's not a real name at all. =P

 

And I personally have no problem with Sauron/Saruman, and I actually kinda like it like that.

 

Interesting fact, Meriadoc is a real name (Wikipedia says its Celtic in origin). But my main issue is that "Merry" is what he's most commonly referred to and that it sounds exactly the same as "Mary".

And we're just going to have to agree to disagree on point 2.

Dear SPIRIT,

I agree. It took me long enough to gnaw my way through the books (which are amazing and fantastic and all), and adding all those names and titles definitely made me go back pages and chapters to make sure I had it all together. Kinda.

Sincerely,

~EW, EmperorWhenua, ReneScout, Jedi, Tro-Gon Quintass, Renetheteaholic, Sir Lord van Epington, Viscount of Dundee, Etiniel, Antrim Glasglow, Trahona, Trahora, Nakaii, Leklo, Ahadica, Mr. Awesome Schmawsome, Eater of Burgers and Chicken Strips and Messenger Bag.~

PS: Cry your heart out, Aragorn.

Oh come on, those movies were excelent even without the soundtrack.

The names are annoying, I guess, but once you start reading it for the second or third time things start to make sense.

Interesting fact, Meriadoc is a real name (Wikipedia says its Celtic in origin). But my main issue is that "Merry" is what he's most commonly referred to and that it sounds exactly the same as "Mary".

Okay, but it's still a guy's name. =P And my point still stands; I've heard of a lot of guys who have nicknames that sound like a girl's name. Stephen -- Stevie; etc. [i know there's a bunch more but my mind won't cooperate right now =P].

And then I know some people whose last name, if spelled differently but said the same, would be a girl's first name, and sometimes people call them that as a "nickname" [not to be mean or anything, but just because some people call other people by their last names sometimes].

Also, how have I not given a blog approval to you yet?

Approval! ^

I do see what you're saying about Sauron and Saruman's names being similar, though to be honest I don't care about Aragorn having a bunch of different names.

 

I seem to be getting a slight vibe of sarcasm from the entry, though... Is it just me?

Well, the problem is that EVERYONE gets like twelve names. It's hard enough keeping track of a cast of characters without having to worry about their many aliases which are used constantly and at random throughout the series.

I do sort of see what you're saying, though I don't remember most of other characters' additional names being mentioned much.

And oh, um... I actually wasn't being sarcastic in the second two "letters". I really do attribute most of the LotR movies' success to the soundtrack and applaud Jackson for simplifying things a bunch. And JKR really is a genius. Like if you look at her usage of names (e.g. Weasley family follows Arthurian legend, Black family follows constellations, etc.) or even take an etymological look at most of them, it's all rather fascinating.

I suspected as much. I have to agree with xccj on the first part, though:

Oh come on, those movies were excelent even without the soundtrack.

I'm in complete agreement there. The Lord of the Rings trilogy was one of the best movie series I've ever watched.

Interesting fact, Meriadoc is a real name (Wikipedia says its Celtic in origin). But my main issue is that "Merry" is what he's most commonly referred to and that it sounds exactly the same as "Mary".

 

Okay, but it's still a guy's name. =P And my point still stands; I've heard of a lot of guys who have nicknames that sound like a girl's name. Stephen -- Stevie; etc. [i know there's a bunch more but my mind won't cooperate right now =P].

 

And then I know some people whose last name, if spelled differently but said the same, would be a girl's first name, and sometimes people call them that as a "nickname" [not to be mean or anything, but just because some people call other people by their last names sometimes].

 

To be fair, I also think that names like Tracy, Lindsey, Leslie, and Kelly are also weird to give to boys (sorry Bink ). Now, this does stem from an odd trend of giving girls names that were originally male, and in the perfect world it wouldn't matter, but tell me you wouldn't be weirded out by a girl named Frank or a guy names Christine.

I do see what you're saying about Sauron and Saruman's names being similar, though to be honest I don't care about Aragorn having a bunch of different names.

 

I seem to be getting a slight vibe of sarcasm from the entry, though... Is it just me?

Well, the problem is that EVERYONE gets like twelve names. It's hard enough keeping track of a cast of characters without having to worry about their many aliases which are used constantly and at random throughout the series.

 

I do sort of see what you're saying, though I don't remember most of other characters' additional names being mentioned much.

 

And oh, um... I actually wasn't being sarcastic in the second two "letters". I really do attribute most of the LotR movies' success to the soundtrack and applaud Jackson for simplifying things a bunch. And JKR really is a genius. Like if you look at her usage of names (e.g. Weasley family follows Arthurian legend, Black family follows constellations, etc.) or even take an etymological look at most of them, it's all rather fascinating.

 

I suspected as much. I have to agree with xccj on the first part, though:

 

Oh come on, those movies were excelent even without the soundtrack.

 

I'm in complete agreement there. The Lord of the Rings trilogy was one of the best movie series I've ever watched.

1)

-Gandalf: Greyhame, Stormcrow, Olórin, Incánus, Tharkûn, The Grey Pilgrim, Gandalf the Grey, Gandalf the White, Mithrandir , The White Rider.

-Saruman: Curunír, Curumo, Sharkey, Man of Skill, White Messenger, Head of the White Council

-Nazgûl: The Nine, Úlairi, Black Riders, Fell Riders.

-Frodo: Frodo of the Nine Fingers, Mr. Underhill, Ring-bearer, Elf-friend, Maura Labingi

-Peregrin Took: Pippin, Pip, "Ernil i Pheriannath", Thain Peregrin I, Razanur Tûk

(It's so bad that Wikipedia conveniently lists all aliases of all LotR characters in the top right of the page ).

2) Well, they were good, but I don't know if I'd say "best ever". Perhaps you haven't seen that many movies.

Interesting fact, Meriadoc is a real name (Wikipedia says its Celtic in origin). But my main issue is that "Merry" is what he's most commonly referred to and that it sounds exactly the same as "Mary".

 

Okay, but it's still a guy's name. =P And my point still stands; I've heard of a lot of guys who have nicknames that sound like a girl's name. Stephen -- Stevie; etc. [i know there's a bunch more but my mind won't cooperate right now =P].

 

And then I know some people whose last name, if spelled differently but said the same, would be a girl's first name, and sometimes people call them that as a "nickname" [not to be mean or anything, but just because some people call other people by their last names sometimes].

 

To be fair, I also think that names like Tracy, Lindsey, Leslie, and Kelly are also weird to give to boys (sorry Bink ). Now, this does stem from an odd trend of giving girls names that were originally male, and in the perfect world it wouldn't matter, but tell me you wouldn't be weirded out by a girl named Frank or a guy names Christine.

Some girls are called 'Sam', short for 'Samantha'. That's one exception to the rule.

Interesting fact, Meriadoc is a real name (Wikipedia says its Celtic in origin). But my main issue is that "Merry" is what he's most commonly referred to and that it sounds exactly the same as "Mary".

 

Okay, but it's still a guy's name. =P And my point still stands; I've heard of a lot of guys who have nicknames that sound like a girl's name. Stephen -- Stevie; etc. [i know there's a bunch more but my mind won't cooperate right now =P].

 

And then I know some people whose last name, if spelled differently but said the same, would be a girl's first name, and sometimes people call them that as a "nickname" [not to be mean or anything, but just because some people call other people by their last names sometimes].

 

To be fair, I also think that names like Tracy, Lindsey, Leslie, and Kelly are also weird to give to boys (sorry Bink ). Now, this does stem from an odd trend of giving girls names that were originally male, and in the perfect world it wouldn't matter, but tell me you wouldn't be weirded out by a girl named Frank or a guy names Christine.

 

Some girls are called 'Sam', short for 'Samantha'. That's one exception to the rule.

Pretty much every Samantha I know goes by "Sam". And there are names that work for both genders, don't get me wrong (like Tristan or Taylor), but Mary is strictly for girls.

but tell me you wouldn't be weirded out by a girl named Frank or a guy names Christine.

Possibly, but would I be weirded out by a girl being called Frankie or even Frank [nicknames for Francesca] or Chris? No. =P So yeah, if his name actually was Merry, then I'd be creeped out. But it's a nickname, so I don't think there's anything wrong with that, and I don't see how "Sam" is any different from "Merry" -- they both are technically for the opposite gender, but as nicknames, work for both.

2) Well, they were good, but I don't know if I'd say "best ever". Perhaps you haven't seen that many movies.

I do think they were some of the best movies made, and definitely the best trilogy after the Batman trilogy [which is really impossible to top =P], but anyway. =P Though I do agree that they wouldn't be as good without the soundtrack. Sure, they'd be kinda good still, I guess, but the soundtrack really does make the movie and is awesome and makes the movie so much better.

I do see what you're saying about Sauron and Saruman's names being similar, though to be honest I don't care about Aragorn having a bunch of different names.

 

I seem to be getting a slight vibe of sarcasm from the entry, though... Is it just me?

Well, the problem is that EVERYONE gets like twelve names. It's hard enough keeping track of a cast of characters without having to worry about their many aliases which are used constantly and at random throughout the series.

 

And oh, um... I actually wasn't being sarcastic in the second two "letters". I really do attribute most of the LotR movies' success to the soundtrack and applaud Jackson for simplifying things a bunch. And JKR really is a genius. Like if you look at her usage of names (e.g. Weasley family follows Arthurian legend, Black family follows constellations, etc.) or even take an etymological look at most of them, it's all rather fascinating.

Well, most of those names are from different "countries" or races or languages or all of the above at once. Most names don't translate well into other languages. I agree that it made reading the books a little more difficult, but it makes sense.

And I really really enjoyed the way JKR did names. I really enjoyed the way she did books, too. I'm quite excited about the next movie, and I just wish there was more to this world to explore.

J.R.R. Tolkien didn't just write books: he created a world. A world populated by many diverse species, each with their own language and culture. The characters you have pointed out are well-known throughout this world, so each culture knows of them, but why would they call them by one name?

The elves are as different from the dwarves as you can get, and the men of Rohan and Gondor are very different culturally despite being of the same race. So why would they all call someone the same thing?

These names signify different events and places. Gandalf's name changes depending on where he is and who he is with. The men and elves, being entirely different races and having completely different cultures, would not know Gandalf by the same name. If they did, that would be ignoring their cultural and linguistic differences.

Side note: calling out Gandalf the Gray and Gandalf the White as different names for the same person is a ridiculous argument. Technically speaking, they are two different people, and anyway, calling Gandalf gray when he wears white makes no sense, so of course his name would change.

EDIT: To support my argument, I've looked up the name 'John' on Wikipedia. Here's an excerpt from a list of names that John is replaced by in other languages:

English ---------- John, Ewan, Shawn, Johnny, Jack, Ian, Evan

Esperanto ---------- Johano

Estonian ---------- Jaan, Juhan, Juho, Janno, Jukk, Hannes, Hans

Extremaduran ---------- Huan

Faroese ---------- Jógvan

Filipino ---------- Juan

Finnish ---------- Hannes, Hannu, Jani, Janne, Johannes, Juha, Juho, Juhani

French ---------- Jean, Jehan (outdated)

Galician ---------- Xoán, Xan

It's the same name, but different cultures and languages have replaced it with their own versions.

I'm gonna go ahead and state the apparent unpopular opinion here and say that LotR is vastly superior to Harry Potter. I can't even compare the two.

This is so true.

Laughed at all of this and agreed with most, 'cept for the part about the LotR film success. Speaking as a member of the public, I'm actually not a huge fan of the soundtrack, and the movies are in my opinion some of the best ever, in terms of quality, effort, acting, drama, action, scenery, and pretty much everything else...except for soundtrack.

I was so lost when I first got into LotR because of the Sauron-Saruman thing. My friend kept telling me to shut up with the question.

Dear Stephanie Meyer,

Though I am not a female, I do find offense in telling girls it's okay to have abusive boyfriends. We nice guys have enough trouble as it is.

Also, your writing style sucks. I couldn't make it through the first page of your book.

Sincerely,

BIONICLEMAN

J.R.R. Tolkien didn't just write books: he created a world. A world populated by many diverse species, each with their own language and culture. The characters you have pointed out are well-known throughout this world, so each culture knows of them, but why would they call them by one name?

 

The elves are as different from the dwarves as you can get, and the men of Rohan and Gondor are very different culturally despite being of the same race. So why would they all call someone the same thing?

 

These names signify different events and places. Gandalf's name changes depending on where he is and who he is with. The men and elves, being entirely different races and having completely different cultures, would not know Gandalf by the same name. If they did, that would be ignoring their cultural and linguistic differences.

 

Side note: calling out Gandalf the Gray and Gandalf the White as different names for the same person is a ridiculous argument. Technically speaking, they are two different people, and anyway, calling Gandalf gray when he wears white makes no sense, so of course his name would change.

 

EDIT: To support my argument, I've looked up the name 'John' on Wikipedia. Here's an excerpt from a list of names that John is replaced by in other languages:

 

English ---------- John, Ewan, Shawn, Johnny, Jack, Ian, Evan

Esperanto ---------- Johano

Estonian ---------- Jaan, Juhan, Juho, Janno, Jukk, Hannes, Hans

Extremaduran ---------- Huan

Faroese ---------- Jógvan

Filipino ---------- Juan

Finnish ---------- Hannes, Hannu, Jani, Janne, Johannes, Juha, Juho, Juhani

French ---------- Jean, Jehan (outdated)

Galician ---------- Xoán, Xan

 

It's the same name, but different cultures and languages have replaced it with their own versions.

You're absolutely right and if we were talking about a completely accurate historical account, I'd agree with you that having several names spanning several cultures makes perfect sense. The fact of the matter is, this is a story. Stories are meant to be easy to understand and are not written identically to reality (Stephanie Meyer, take note of this for your dialogue). Take any TV show, or book, or people you know in real life: whenever you hear about a character or a real life person, you generally refer to them by the same name.

Take Draco Malfoy: most characters refer to him as Malfoy (this does get confusing when dealing with his father, but that's the British style, I suppose). His "character name" is Malfoy. You walk down the street and you say, "man, I hate Malfoy" and people know what you're talking about. You say Draco, maybe not as much.

Or on NCIS. Anthony DiNozzo is normally called Tony by his peers and DiNozzo by his superiors. Hey, that's two names and it characterizes the other people in the show. Then you take his coworker, Timothy McGee: everyone just calls him McGee (he'll get Tim on occasion, but just go with me on this one). The usage of alternate names is a great literary tool, but it should be used tactfully and sparingly.

Or even look at your own parents or grandparents. You might call your dad "pops" or "daddy", but you've got a consistent name for him. Or even your friends in real life. You might know a guy called Philip who only goes by Phil or maybe a Jennifer who refuses to be called Jen. Most people have one main name they like to be called and when they are called a certain name, everyone immediately know who's being referred to.

And obviously, when introducing the character to a new culture and language, you want to take things slow so they understand what's going on. "Oh, but SPIRIT, he only had three books to do this in, plus he was making a world from scratch." Well then, write a longer story, dial back on the cultures, or make the cultures more relatable. Whatever you do, never leave the audience stranded: people will not take interest in your work if they aren't feeling connected to it.

When people are reading a story, they don't want characters to be overly complex when first introduced or difficult to distinguish between. Jumbled up name X might as well be jumbled up name Y. I'd even shy away from giving similar characters made up names starting with the same letter, or casting a movie with two main characters, who aren't related, that look too similar (first time through Toy Story, I was very confused because I thought Andy and Sid were the same person). That being said, don't oversimplify things, but keep in mind: stories are meant to be understood and enjoyed, not overcomplicated and realistic. There's a fine line between deep and confusing: it is my opinion that Lord of the Rings crosses this line.

Also, I missed that I put in Grey and White; I was just copy/pasting off Wikipedia.

I'm gonna go ahead and state the apparent unpopular opinion here and say that LotR is vastly superior to Harry Potter. I can't even compare the two.

Look here, good sir, unless you're going to explain your fallacious stance, I shall not abide any of your trolling.

This is so true.

 

Laughed at all of this and agreed with most, 'cept for the part about the LotR film success. Speaking as a member of the public, I'm actually not a huge fan of the soundtrack, and the movies are in my opinion some of the best ever, in terms of quality, effort, acting, drama, action, scenery, and pretty much everything else...except for soundtrack.

 

I was so lost when I first got into LotR because of the Sauron-Saruman thing. My friend kept telling me to shut up with the question.

Are you telling me the movies would be just as good without the BAAAA-ba-da-BAA-ba-da-BAAAAAAAA as they charge into battle?

Massive spoiler warning, but I think you need to read this.

Interesting fact, Meriadoc is a real name (Wikipedia says its Celtic in origin). But my main issue is that "Merry" is what he's most commonly referred to and that it sounds exactly the same as "Mary".

 

Okay, but it's still a guy's name. =P And my point still stands; I've heard of a lot of guys who have nicknames that sound like a girl's name. Stephen -- Stevie; etc. [i know there's a bunch more but my mind won't cooperate right now =P].

Being a guy named Steven, I would like to remind everyone that Stevie is not really a female name. On top of that, a guy named Steven can still be Steve, it doesn't have to be Stevie. Fact is, even though Meriadoc is his name, they do call him Merry. In fact, I find it's only the Bagginses that don't have an extended name. Frodo appears to just be Frodo, and Bilbo is just Bilbo. Now THAT is the simplistic philosophy that JRR Tolkien should have taken. While we're at it, let's also rename Aragorn to just Arn. That solves most of our problems.

And for the record, it is my belief we could get the trilogy to just a book and a half if JRR Tolkien had just skipped a few fluff scenes and got on with it.

Dear Stephanie Meyer,

 

Though I am not a female, I do find offense in telling girls it's okay to have abusive boyfriends. We nice guys have enough trouble as it is.

 

Also, your writing style sucks. I couldn't make it through the first page of your book.

 

Sincerely,

BIONICLEMAN

And folks? This is why I hired 'im. He is not afraid to tell the truth.

Being a guy named Steven, I would like to remind everyone that Stevie is not really a female name. On top of that, a guy named Steven can still be Steve, it doesn't have to be Stevie. Fact is, even though Meriadoc is his name, they do call him Merry. In fact, I find it's only the Bagginses that don't have an extended name. Frodo appears to just be Frodo, and Bilbo is just Bilbo. Now THAT is the simplistic philosophy that JRR Tolkien should have taken. While we're at it, let's also rename Aragorn to just Arn. That solves most of our problems.

Eh, I guess, but I've never actually seen someone's name that's actually just Stevie [like, on their birth certificate] without it being a girl -- otherwise, it's a nickname, and totally fine and cool for a guy.

And the thing about Merry is that it's Merry and Pippin -- neither of those are their actual names, but they're both nicknames. And really, I don't see why it'd be a good idea to have all the names be simplistic like Frodo or Bilbo -- why not have nicknames for some of the characters? It's the same reason some characters are called "Joe" even though their real name is "Joseph." Does that mean all characters should have a simpler name like Sam [because no one in the real world is named Samwise; it's just Sam =P]? Many names have shorter versions -- Stephen, Steve; Peter, Pete; Jonathan, John/Jack/etc.; Robert, Bob; William, Bill;Matthew, Matt; etc., etc.

And as for the whole Aragorn thing, I think it's kinda a hierarchy thing. For example, Boromir, Faramir, Gandalf, Saruman, Sauron, Aragorn, Legolas, etc. all have "longer" names, but they don't have nicknames either. But for two playful "little people" [Hobbits] -- Merry and Pippin -- they do, and other Hobbits seem to either have shorter names or nicknames [sam, Frodo, etc.]. Not sure if that's completely accurate, as I'm mostly basing that off of the movies having not read the books in quite a few years.

...And I blame the rambling on the fact that I'm tired. =P

Also @ Spi, awesome NCIS reference. =P