S. Arathorn m. “Steadfast King”
The 12th and 15th chieftains of the Dúnedain, the latter of whom was the father of Aragorn (LotR/1038).
Possible Etymology: The initial element of this name is clearly ar(a)- “noble” (Let/426). Tolkien considered two possibilities for the second element: either thorn¹ “steadfast" (PE17/32, 113) or thoron “eagle” (Let/427). The etymological discussion for the first of these possibilities is more complete, and includes the translation “Steadfast King” (PE17/113).
Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, the father of Aragorn was first named N. Aramir (TI/7), later revised to ᴹQ. Eldakar >> ᴹQ. Valatar >> N. Kelegorn (TI/404, note #10) and finally N. Arathorn (TI/392).
References ✧ Let/426-427; LotRI; PE17/32, 113; PMI; RSI; SI
Glosses
Variations
Elements
| ar(a)- | “noble, royal, high” | ✧ Let/426 (ara) | |
| thorn¹ | “steadfast” | ✧ PE17/113; PE17/113 | |
| ✶thorono | “eagle” | ✧ Let/427 (þorono) | |
| aran | “king, lord, chief, (lit.) high or noble person” | ✧ PE17/113; PE17/113 | |
Element In
N. Kelegorn m.
Earlier name of Arathorn appearing in the Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s (TI/7), perhaps with the same meaning as Celegorn.
See S. Arathorn for further discussion.
References ✧ TI/404; TII
Changes
N. Aramir m.
The earliest name of Arathorn appearing in the Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s (TI/7), probably a combination of aran “king” and a variant form of mîr “jewel”.
See S. Arathorn for further discussion.
References ✧ TI/7; TII/Arathorn
Elements
| aran | “king, lord (of a specific region)” |
| mîr | “jewel, precious thing, treasure” |