Search the Community

♪♫♪ Acaelanite Naming Conventions el’Oem el’Asiol’ehya Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Personal Names III. Honorifics IV. Surnames and Patronymics Introduction This document is intended to serve as a summary of typical Acaelanite naming conventions, as well as their history, etymology, and cultural role within the ethnoreligious community. More information on the Acaelanites can be found here. It is very important to note that Ancient Elven is highly conservative when used as a liturgical language by the Acaelanites. When spoken or written in a formal register, this language is identical to the form employed by the mali’aheral and most other elven ethnoreligious groups. This is because of the significance attributed to Ancient Elven as the language of ahe’Malin and his initial followers, and the first language formulated by the mortal descendants as per the account of Creation. As such, the Acaelanites generally do not allow any religious, ceremonial, artistic, administrative, and legal writings (or formal speech) to be corrupted or bastardized into any form other than standard Ancient Elven. Consequently, the Acaelanites do not possess their own ‘dialect’ of Ancient Elven. However, in the specific context of informal speech, there exists certain linguistic concepts, contractions and phonological tendencies unique to the Acaelanite accent of spoken Ancient Elven, thereby giving rise to an Acaelanite ‘ethnolect’. This is mostly exhibited in personal names, which are inherently more adaptable to language change than formal speech and acceptably outside of the elevated register of Ancient Elven to be varied with some creativity. As aforementioned, this ethnolect should not be understood as a language or dialect separate from Ancient Elven, but rather a form of the spoken language, which has only ever been consigned to writing through the transformation of root words into names over milennia. OOC (The Aengul Availer, Revelator of Creation to the Acaelanites) Personal Names In most instances, Acaelanites employ the same personal names as other elves, derived directly from the standard form of the Ancient Elven language. However, language shifts, pronunciation or accent variations and centuries of contact with outside influences as seafarers, merchants and diaspora have led to the genesis of a select few personal names which characterize members of the Acaelanite community. The personal names below originated as recombinations, derivations, or contractions of their millennia-old Ancient Elven root words, and may include elements or motifs unique to Acaelanite traditions that are unlikely to be employed by other mali. Accordingly, they frequently serve as a differentiator of Acaelanite identity. Some examples, inclusive of their original etymology, include: Ahernevan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘ahern’ meaning ‘blessing’ and ‘van’ meaning ‘to fare’ (travel) Ahernesar - from Ancient Elven word ‘ahern’sair’, meaning ‘one who spreads blessing’ Ahensayar - variant of Ahernesar Ahesil - from Ancient Elven roots ‘ahe-’, a prefix meaning ‘sanctified’ or ‘holy’, and ‘sil’ meaning ‘sword’, in reference to sil Malin’leh Ahur - from Ancient Elven roots ‘ahe-’, a prefix meaning ‘sanctified’ or ‘holy’, and ‘uhierir’ meaning ‘one who seeks’ Aman - from Ancient Elven word ‘amana’, meaning ‘virtuoso’ Andran - from Ancient Elven word ‘andria’, meaning ‘hope’ Aneyar - from Ancient Elven word ‘annyerir’, meaning ‘dancer’ Aresar - variant of Ahernesar Ardavan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘ahern’ meaning blessing and ‘di’van’ meaning ‘[the state of] not faring’ (traveling), in reference to the concept of ‘di’van’ Ardevan - variant of Ardavan Areyan - variant of Ahriln Arhiln - from Ancient Elven word ‘ahriln’, meaning ‘justice’ Arhyn - variant of Ahriln Asar - variant of Ahernesar Asel - variant of Ahesil Availer - from Ancient Elven name ‘Availer’, in reference to the Wandering Wizard Avalan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘av-’, a prefix meaning ‘wandering’, and ‘valleian’, meaning ‘waters’, in reference to a river Avayel - variant of Availer Bahran - variant of Baram Baram - from Ancient Elven roots ‘berr’ meaning ‘bow’ and ‘ame’ meaning ‘forest’ Byram - variant of Baram Calman - variant of Khelman Cerun - from Ancient Elven word 'cerun', meaning 'strength' Davan - from Ancient Elven word ‘di’van’ meaning ‘[the state of] not faring’ (traveling), in reference to being settled, ‘di’van’ being specifically used to refer to an Acaelanite colony, enclave or home on dry land (i.e one that is not a seaborne vessel) Diveth - from Ancient Elven roots ‘div’, a prefix meaning ‘without’, and ‘eth’ meaning ‘end’, in reference to immortality as a star in the laier’fiyemalan Ebas - of unknown linguistic origins, in reference to Prince Ebs of Malinor Elsan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘el-’, a prefix denoting the definite article, and ‘san’ meaning ‘word’, in reference to san’taliyna Eram - variant of Eyran Evarnesar - from Ancient Elven word ‘evarn’sair’, meaning ‘one who keeps the evarn’sae’ Eyran - from Ancient Elven word ‘eyran’, meaning ‘usefulness’ Feras - variant of Feros Feredan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘fer’ meaning ‘instrument’ (tool) and ‘dion’ meaning ‘long’ Feredyn - variant of Feredan Ferikan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘fer’ meaning ‘instrument’ (tool) and ‘ikurn’ meaning ‘iron’ Ferik - variant of Ferikan Ferhad - from Ancient Elven roots ‘fer’ meaning ‘instrument’ (tool) and ‘uradh’ meaning ‘scowling’ Ferok - variant of Ferikan Ferrok - variant of Ferikan Feros - from Ancient Elven roots ‘fer’ meaning ‘instrument’ (tool) and ‘Asiol’ meaning ‘Only’, in reference to God Fersan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘fer’ meaning ‘instrument’ (tool) and ‘san’ meaning ‘word’, in reference to san’taliyna Fiyemal - from Ancient Elven word ‘fiyemal’, meaning ‘reincarnation’ Gadiveth - from Ancient Elven roots ‘igne’ meaning ‘fire’ and ‘diveth’ meaning ‘without end’, in reference to ‘eternal fire’ Galar - from Ancient Elven roots ‘igne’ meaning ‘fire’ and ‘lar’ meaning ‘sturdy’ Gavan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘igne’ meaning ‘fire’ and ‘van’ meaning ‘to fare’ (travel) Halern - from Ancient Elven word ‘halern’, meaning ‘promise’, in reference to the il’halern Ilern - from Ancient Elven word ‘illern’, meaning ‘gift’, in reference to God’s bequest of el’Taynuel Imeran - from Ancient Elven word ‘irhaman’, meaning ‘industries’ Iravan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘irham’ meaning ‘industry’ and ‘van’ meaning ‘to fare’ (travel) Kariman - from Ancient Elven word ‘karimir’ meaning ‘hero’ Karim - variant of Kariman Karin - from Ancient Elven word ‘karin’ meaning ‘day’ or ‘sunset’ Khelman - from Ancient Elven roots ‘khel’ meaning ‘darkness’ and ‘-mane’, an intensified negating suffix, in reference to one’s tayna Kouradh - from Ancient Elven roots ‘ker’ meaning ‘night’ or ‘sunset’ and ‘uradh’ meaning ‘scowling’ Kouran - from Ancient Elven word ‘keran’, meaning ‘nights’ or ‘sunsets’ Kourav - from Ancient Elven roots ‘ker’ meaning ‘night’ or ‘sunset’ and ‘riv’ meaning ‘claw’ Kuradh - variant of Kouradh Laier - from Ancient Elven word ‘laier’, meaning ‘seven’, in reference to the laier’fiyemalan Layar - variant of Laier Madavan - from Ancient Elven roots 'maehr' meaning 'wisdom' and 'di'van' meaning '[the state of] not faring' (traveling), in reference to the concept of ‘di’van’ Mardan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘maehr’ meaning ‘wisdom’ and ‘dion’ meaning ‘long’ or ‘lifelong’ Marham - from Ancient Elven word ‘mairhaman’, meaning ‘many industries’ (very industrious) Mayelasiol - from Ancient Elven roots ‘mayilu’ meaning ‘loved’ and ‘el’Asiol’ meaning ‘the Only’, in reference to God Mayeloem - from Ancient Elven roots ‘mayilu’ meaning ‘loved’ and ‘el’Oem’ meaning ‘the One’, in reference to God Medi - from Ancient Elven word ‘medi’, meaning ‘helpful’ Mediran - from Ancient Elven word ‘medir’, meaning ‘helper’ Medinan - from Ancient Elven word ‘medin’, meaning ‘helpfulness’ Meram - variant of Meyran Meran - variant of Meyran Meruasul - from Ancient Elven roots ‘miruel’ meaning ‘red’ and ‘Asul’ meaning ‘sun’ Meylas - of unknown linguistic origins, in reference to Prince Mylas of Malinor Meyran - from Ancient Elven word ‘meyran’, meaning ‘much usefulness’ Onhalan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘ohn’ meaning ‘like’ (akin to) and ‘haelun’ meaning ‘mother’ Onmalan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘ohn’ meaning ‘like’ (akin to) and ‘maln’ meaning ‘father’ Onvulan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘ohn’ meaning ‘like’ (akin to) and ‘vuln’ meaning ‘fox’, in reference to cunning Radhur - from Ancient Elven word ‘uradhir’, meaning ‘scowler’ or ‘naysayer’ Resa - from Ancient Elven word ‘res-’, a prefix meaning ‘capricious’ Restahn - from Ancient Elven roots ‘res-’ meaning ‘capricious’ and ‘tahn’ meaning ‘peak’, in reference to a ‘lone mountain’ Restam - variant of Restahn Restan - variant of Restahn Rostam - variant of Restahn Rostan - variant of Restahn Reswan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘res-’ meaning ‘capricious’ and ‘wehn’ meaning ‘grass’ Sachin - variant of Sanechulan Sahan - variant of Sanechulan Salma - variant of Salman Salman - from Ancient Elven word ‘salumn’, meaning ‘sense’ Sanech - variant of Sanechulan Sanechulan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘san’ meaning ‘word’ and ‘chuln’ meaning ‘requirement’ or ‘mandate’, in reference to san’taliyna Sanevan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘san’ meaning ‘word’ and ‘van’ meaning ‘to fare’ (travel), in reference to san’taliyna Saray - of unknown linguistic origins, in reference to Sarai of the mali’dun Saraya - variant of Saray Sarun - variant of Cerun Selevan - variant of Silvan Selvan - variant of Silvan Sil - from Ancient Elven word ‘sil’ meaning ‘sword’, in reference to sil Malin’leh Silrav - from Ancient Elven roots ‘sil’ meaning ‘sword’ and ‘riv’ meaning ‘claw’, in reference to the silriv, a type of curved sword employed by the Acaelanites modeled off sil Malin’leh Silvan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘sil’ meaning ‘sword’ and ‘van’ meaning ‘to fare’ (travel), in reference to sil Malin’leh Sohayem - from Ancient Elven roots ‘sohae’ meaning ‘devout one’ and ‘-yem’, a suffix meaning ‘again’, in reference to fiyemal (reincarnation) Sul - from Ancient Elven word ‘sul’, meaning ‘light’ Sultur - from Ancient Elven roots ‘sul’ meaning ‘light’ and ‘tur’ meaning ‘bone’ Suloem - from Ancient Elven word ‘suloem’, meaning ‘beginning’, in reference to the act of Creation Suman - from Ancient Elven word ‘sumana’, meaning ‘savant’ Tahran - from Ancient Elven word ‘tahorran’, meaning ‘hawk’ Taliam - from Ancient Elven word ‘taliame’, meaning ‘tree’, in reference to the Mother Tree of Laurelin Taran - variant of Tahran Tareman - from Ancient Elven word ‘tareman’, meaning ‘elven weeks’ (years), in reference to age and therefore wisdom Tarem - variant of Tareman Tanas - variant of Taynaceru Tanayem - from Ancient Elven roots ‘tayna’ meaning ‘lifeforce’ and ‘-yem’, a suffix meaning ‘again’, in reference to the concepts of tayna and fiyemal (reincarnation) Taynaceru - from Ancient Elven roots ‘tayna’ meaning ‘lifeforce’ and ‘ceru’ meaning ‘strong’, in reference to san’taliyna Teran - variant of Tahran Tilrelasiol - from Ancient Elven roots ‘tilru’ meaning ‘serving’ and ‘el’Asiol’ meaning ‘the Only’, in reference to God Tilreloem - from Ancient Elven roots ‘tilru’ meaning ‘serving’ and ‘el’Oem’ meaning ‘the One’, in reference to God Tirath - from Ancient Elven roots 'tir' meaning 'law' and 'eth' meaning 'end' or 'death' Valan - from Ancient Elven word ‘valleian’, meaning ‘waters’ Vaner - from Ancient Elven word ‘vanir’, meaning ‘one who fares’ (travels) Varam - variant of Virham Varna - variant of Evarnesar Verethan - from Ancient Elven roots ‘vira’ meaning ‘vigilant’ or ‘mournful’ and ‘ethan’ meaning ‘ends’ Virham - from Ancient Elven roots ‘vira’ meaning ‘vigilant’ or ‘mournful’ and ‘irham’ meaning ‘industry’ Virayat - from Ancient Elven roots ‘vira’ meaning ‘vigilant’ or ‘mournful’ and ‘iyat’ meaning ‘thought’ Notes on Personal Names As with most names derived from Ancient Elven, the Acaelanite names listed above are officially unisex. However, certain names have come to be identified with particular genders by virtue of their identification with renowned bearers. In instances where names of the same origin have multiple variants or alternate transcriptions, the closest name to the Ancient Elven root words (and in all likelihood, the earliest to arise chronologically) has been described and the remainder labeled as ‘variants’. In Ancient Elven, the word ‘van’ means ‘to fare’, that is, a relatively archaic form of ‘to travel’ or ‘to go’, and is present chiefly in the phrase ‘van’ayla’ (Common: farewell). The Acaelanites employ this word much more broadly, using it to refer to any form of travel, though particularly seafaring for mercantile purposes. In the Acaelanite ethnolect, the wide use of the archaic ‘van’ is much more common than the standard Ancient Elven ‘narn’ (Common: to travel). This use of ‘van’ has given rise to a number of additional words relevant here, including ‘di’van’, only approximately translatable as ‘the state of not traveling’. In modern Acaelanite usage, the word ‘di’van’ has come to refer to a community, enclave or home of Acaelanites where they are settled when not seafaring. As many of the names listed above originate as derivations of Ancient Elven root words, many variants exist preserving their linking apostrophes (e.g. Tilreloem to Tilr’eloem). However, these have not been included for the sake of avoiding repetition. Many linguistic features evident in the Acaelanite accent of spoken Ancient Elven can be observed in the names listed above, including certain vowel shifts, the replacement of some apostrophes with vowels for greater fluidity and a conflation between the pronunciation of ‘m’ and ‘n’ at the end of particular words. Several of the names above end in the Ancient Elven suffix of ‘-n’ or ‘-an’, designating plurality. This is believed to originate from an ancient Acaelanite belief in the good fortune of plurality, by virtue of the ‘Seven Skies’ of the one Acaelan. Many of the ‘original’ Ancient Elven forms (e.g. conjoined root words) of the names above are millennia old, and as such are expressed in a fashion that would be archaic or unconventional if used in modern times. (Virayat Laurir Halernal, a historical Acaelanite tir’sair) Honorifics Acaelanites commonly employ honorifics amongst themselves. These honorifics follow the personal name but precede the surname. Some examples may include: [Personal Name] Laurir - from Ancient Elven ‘laurir’, meaning ‘noble’. The highest honorific, reserved for those who claim direct patrilineal descent from ahe’Malin (and thus first in the patrimony of the evarn’sae) or the learned sages of the tir’sairan, who may or may not hold that lineage. [Personal Name] Amirsan - from Ancient Elven ‘amir’san’, meaning ‘word [of the] forester’, in reference to the tradition that holds ahe’Malin as a ‘forester’. An honorific used for certain Acaelanites of famed lineages, such as those who claim descent from the Seven Clans of the Alderfolk. [Personal Name] Acal - from Ancient Elven ‘acal’, meaning ‘golden’, ‘rich’, or ‘wealthy’. Given cultural values derived from centuries of teachings on the evarn’sae, the state of being wealthy does not have the same negative connotations to the Acaelanites that it does in some other elven communities. Regardless, this honorific has substantially evolved from its etymological origins, and now denotes a commander, official, ship’s captain, chief, elder or community leader. [Personal Name] Cerutur - from Ancient Elven 'ceru'tur', meaning 'strong bone'. An honorific used for Acaelanite knights in the quasi-chivalric tradition of the divethan (Common: immortals), cognatic with the human 'sir' or 'dame' in reference to a knight. These concepts hearken back to the original companions of ahe'Malin in the time of Malin'or. [Personal Name] Luerane - from Ancient Elven ‘luerane’, meaning literally ‘not bound’, but more accurately translating to ‘freeman’. Though any custom of indentured servitude has long since been eliminated amongst the Acaelanites, this honorific has survived to apply to any Acaelanite of lesser noble lineage, or a low-level administrator. [Personal Name] Mallir - from Ancient Elven ‘mallir’, meaning ‘great friend’. A polite way of referring to a common Acaelanite, equivalent to ‘mister/miss’ in Common. In instances where an Acaelanite might be technically entitled to multiple honorifics, the highest status honorific is generally used first and primarily, often (but not always) to the exclusion of lower ones. Honorifics do not replace surnames, but are used more commonly than them in some settings, as a form of formal ‘shorthand name’ with the surname omitted. To observers, this may give the incorrect impression that honorifics are Acaelanite surnames. In reality, they are more akin to titles signifying status, used as forms of address. Given this propensity for confusion, Acaelanites typically only refer to their honorifics amongst one another - amidst outsiders they will primarily employ their surnames. Surnames and Patronymics Acaelanite surnames - more commonly referred to as clan or seed names - remain largely consistent with those exhibited by other elven ethnoreligious groups. Clan or seed names typically represent tribal identities and storied lineages tracing back to the time of ahe’Malin. This heritage (combined with the long lifespans of successive elven generations) means that Acaelanite surnames are inherently more conservative and less adaptable to language change than their personal names, and for this reason generally resemble those of other mali’ame or their mali’aheral and mali’ker cousins in their use of standard Ancient Elven. A notable exception to this is patronymics, where Acaelanites sometimes employ the Alderfolk patronymic preposition of ‘aen’ on account of their parallel cultural development (and close historical relations) with that group. The word ‘aen’ originated as a corruption of the Ancient Elven suffix ‘-onn’, and is cognatic with that word, with both translating to ‘son/daughter of’. However, whereas ‘-onn’ is attached to the father’s name or title as a suffix, in Alderfolk patronymics, ‘aen’ is included as a preposition before the father’s name. iyul’maele asiol oem Acaelan ito kae’leh, el’Tuva Uelln’ehya el’Bilokir Tuva’leh, illern’leh el’Taynuel maele’ehya ay evarn’sae ahe’Malin’onn Lye’ehya.