[Lyra Greenleaf]

From Appendix F- On Translation:

For most Hobbits, Tolkien just took the sound and look of their normal name and modernised it- for example changing the endings to ones which look more traditionally masculine or feminine to us. This means the names look and sound similar to the originals. For example: Bilbo, Bungo, Polo, Lotho, Tanta, Nina, Otho, Odo Dora, Drogo, Cora. However there were exceptions...

Samwise is a "modernization of ancient English (samwis)" meaning "half-wise, simple" (a charming thing to call your son)- a translation of his Hobbit name Banazir. In this case, Tolkien says, he translated for meaning as opposed to leaving it close to the original.

Similarly for Hamfast, meaning "stay at home"- a translation of Ranagud.

Finally, and I'm surprised no-one has picked up on this yet as it's a word in common use- Merry. His Hobbit name was Kalimac, shortened to Kali. Kali meant "jolly" and so Tolkien translated the shortened form to Merry in order to convey that, instead of modernising his actual name. (Even though he says that he mostly left the Bucklander's names alone as "if queer now, they were queer in their own day").

So yes, I think the names definitely mean something. Oh, and if you haven't PLEASE read Appendix F. It's absolutely fascinating! And it's an extention of the story really, as Tolkien is still acting like he found the book and translated it.

[ July 19, 2003: Message edited by: Lyra Greenleaf ]