J. R. R. Tolkien’s 3-part The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) was first published in the mid-1950s.
The trilogy started becoming popular in the U.S. in the 1960s, and this is when we first see LOTR character names (like Galadriel and Gandalf) popping up on the SSA’s baby name list.
It became very popular when director Peter Jackson turned it into three successful movies (released in 2001, 2002 and 2003).
So how did the books and the movies influence U.S. baby names? Let’s check it out…
Arwen
Arwen debuted on the SSA’s list in 1968. Since then, over 2,080 baby girls have been named Arwen. Peak usage was in 2004.
The name Arwen means “noble maiden” in the fictional language Quenya (which Tolkien based largely on Finnish and Latin).
Aragorn
Aragorn debuted on the SSA’s list in 1970. Since then, over 50 baby boys have been named Aragorn. Peak usage was in 2004.
The name Aragorn means “revered king” in the fictional language Sindarin (based largely on Welsh).
Eowyn
Eowyn debuted on the SSA’s list in 1973. Since then, over 1,050 baby girls have been named Eowyn.
The name Eowyn means “horse joy” in the fictional language Rohirric (based on Old English).
Frodo
It’s never been on the SSA’s list, but I know of one in England.
The name Frodo is an English translation of Frodo’s real name, Maura, which means “wise” or “experienced” in the fictional language Westron.
Galadriel
Galadriel debuted on the SSA’s list in 1969. Since then, over 170 baby girls have been named Galadriel. Peak usage was in 2003.
The name Galadriel means “maiden crowned with a radiant garland” in Sindarin.
Gandalf
Gandalf was on the SSA’s list in 1970 only (5 babies named Gandalf that year).
The name Gandalf means “wand-elf” in Westron and other Mannish languages.
Legolas
Legolas debuted on the SSA’s list (and saw peak usage) in 2003. Since then, over 10 baby boys have been named Legolas.
The name Legolas is based on the name Laegolas, which means “greenleaf” in Sindarin.
Peregrin
Peregrin debuted on the SSA’s list in 2011. Since then, over 20 baby boys have been named Peregrin.
The name Peregrin is based on Peregrinus, which means “traveler” or “pilgrim” in Latin. (Peregrin is an English translation of Pippin’s Westron name, Razanur.)
Pippin
Pippin debuted on the SSA’s list (as a girl name) in 2009. Since then, over 30 baby girls and 5 baby boys have been named Pippin.
“Pippin” was Peregrin’s nickname.
Samwise
Samwise debuted on the SSA’s list in 2002. Since then, over 60 baby boys have been named Samwise.
The name Samwise is an English translation of Sam’s real name, Banazîr, which means “halfwise” or “simple” in Westron.
Strider
Strider debuted on the SSA’s list in 1973. Since then, over 240 baby boys have been named Strider.
“Strider” was Aragorn’s nickname.
Theoden
Theoden debuted on the SSA’s list in 2004. Since then, 180 baby boys have been named Theoden.
The name Theoden is based on the name Tûrac, which means “king” in Rohirric.
Thorin
Thorin debuted on the SSA’s list in 1968. Since then, over 1,170 baby boys have been named Thorin. (Commenter elbowin mentions that Thorin is now on the rise thanks to the character being featured in the more recent Hobbit movie trilogy, 2012-2014.)
The name Thorin is based on the Old Norse Þorinn, which means “bold one.”
P.S. Tori Amos’s daughter’s also has a Tolkien-inspired name.
Update, May 2015: The name Tauriel, though technically not a Tolkien name (it was created for the movies), debuted in the data in 2014.
Update: The name Beorn, from a character in the second two movies of the Hobbit trilogy, debuted in the data in 2015. (The Vikings name Bjorn may have been an influence as well.)
Update, April 2019: The name Tolkien itself debuted in the data in 2017. (The second syllable rhymes with the word keen.)
