How were Eldar in Valinor named?
… and these mother-names had great significance, for the mothers of the Eldar had insight into the characters and abilities of their children, and many also had the gift of prophetic foresight. In addition, any of the Eldar might acquire epesse (‘after-name’), not necessarily given by their own kin, a nickname — mostly given as a title of admiration or honour; and an epesse might become the name generally used and recognised in later song and history (as was the case, for instance, with Ereinion, always known by his epesse Gil-galad). [UT, 266] On why ‘Ereinion’ (‘Scion of Kings’ (UT, 436)) was given this epesse: It is recorded that Ereinion was given the name Gil-galad ‘Star of Radiance’ ‘because his helm and mail, and his shield overlaid with silver and set with a device of white stars, shone from afar like a star in sunlight or moonlight, and could be seen by Elvish eyes at a great distance if he stood upon a height’. [UT, 217] [ Gil-galad’s “device of white stars” is shown in en
