Alternative Geographic Names of Middle Earth Quiz

Answer: Entwash

Onodló is the Sindarin name for the Entwash, the river originating in Fangorn forest. Onod means "Ent" and ló means "soaking wet, swampy, flood." Onodló was rarely used to refer to the Entwash by the time of the War of the Ring.

Answer: Khazad-dûm

Phurunargian is the Westron name for Khazad-dûm, later anglicised to Dwarrowdelf by Men. Khazad-dûm is called Hadhodrond by the Elves. After being taken over by orcs and other evil inhabitants, it became called Moria, the Black Pit or Black Chasm.

Answer: Isengard

This is Isengard, as called by the Elves. Isengard was erected by Gondorians. Beren, Steward of Gondor, granted Isengard to Saruman.

Answer: Orthanc

A name for the tower of Orthanc, the citadel of Saruman. Interestingly, Orthanc in Elvish translates to 'Mount Fang'. Orthanc in the old language of the Rohirrim translates to 'Cunning Mind' (Saruman). I have no doubt that this was a bit of clever linguistic fun by Tolkien.

Answer: Mirkwood

Directly translated as "Wood of Greenleaves", Eryn Lasgalen becomes the new name of Mirkwood after the War of the Ring, as named by Celeborn and Thranduil. Note that Mirkwood has a long tradition of name changes, namely: Greenwood the Great (Taur-e-Ndaedelos in Sindarin), then Mirkwood (Taur-nu-Fuin in Sindarin) after it was darkened by Sauron, then finally Eryn Lasgalen after Sauron's final downfall.

Answer: River Anduin

This is the River Anduin, as used by the ancestors of the Rohirrim. Anduin is usually referred to as the Great River.

Answer: The Grey Havens

This is Sindarin for the Grey Havens, the harbours of Círdan at the eastern end of the Gulf of Lhûn, from which the Elves of the north of Middle-earth passed into the West during the later Ages.

Answer: Minas Tirith

This is the Rohirrim's name for Minas Tirith, in their own tongue. Minas Tirith was called Minas Anor for about 2100 years, then renamed after Minas Ithil was taken by the Nazgûl. It is also sometimes called the White City, the White Tower, and the Tower of the Guard. Note that Minas Tirith directly translates to 'Tower of the Guard'.

Answer: Rivendell

This is Westron for Rivendell (Rivendell is anglicized from Karningul). It means "a deeply-cut, steep sided valley." Rivendell is called Imladris by the Elves, and is also sometimes called The First Homely House, The House of Elrond, and The Last Homely House.

Answer: Lothlórien

The Rohirrim's name for Lothlórien, translated as 'magical wood'. Other names include Lothlórien, The Golden Wood, Laurelindórenan, Lindórinand and Lórinand.