Swedish book cover, “The Saga of the Ring” in Celtic illuminated manuscript style
One of the important differences between Lord of the Rings and earlier fantasies is in Tolkien’s protagonists. Frodo, Merry, Pippin, and Sam are not high-powered warriors like those in Germanic and Norse legend, exemplified by Lord Juss and Brandoch Daha in E.R. Eddison’s The Worm Ouroboros, which I’m reading now. Neither do they fit the American mold of pulp heroes like Conan, Tarzan, or Doc Savage. The Hobbits stand for Everyman, and more importantly, as stand-ins who observe the doings of the great and mighty and narrate them back to the reader. Though they are central to the plot, they only participate in small ways and their choices do not drive it. In this they are more like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz than, say, Beowolf.
Here are some more tweaked names of characters from the books, if you want to create your own vision of Middle Earth.
Lord of the Rings Name Variations
| PIPPIN
Pöllin Pipka Piptrin Pipov Poppyog Peppin Pipprut Nippy Pöffin Puddin Pinnchaus Pipzin |
MERRY
Merü Marzy Merré Joiry Morny Merro Merré Mischa Mauny Merrigan Manthë Ganumy |
SAMWISE
Samwyve Samchure Shamise Gamwis Sankhise Halwise Saywise Sarwothye Samhor Södise Sashwise Hamwyst |
| SAURON
Saarof Seudron Selgauron Mauron Seyuron Saerod Sochron Szedaur Yauron Sanjeuron Smaurág Chaurog |
FARAMIR
Estamir Faracress Faroky Faranul Farael Alfamiran Faragn Alfamir Faraidin Faracor Farageny Faraelly |
DENETHOR
Denlanüsh Denadior Denethín Denaër Annethör Denizor Candethor Denellisor Denethos Denezor Denudonor Denteiroch |
