Sauron’s Name Is Far Worse Than You Think: Here’s Why

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Summary

  • Sauron’s original name was Mairon, meaning ‘The Admirable’ before he became corrupted by Morgoth.
  • The name ‘Sauron’ was given by elves, meaning ‘The Abhorred’ or ‘The Abominable.’
  • Sauron forbids his name to instill fear; he prefers other titles like The Dark Lord or The Eye.

Avoid referring to him as Sauron, since the main antagonist in “The Lord of the Rings” seems to have a dislike for that name. It’s no surprise, considering his original name, which he held before becoming a servant of Morgoth or a Dark Lord, sounds rather unpleasant and even somewhat offensive on multiple levels.

In “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, it isn’t explicitly shown that Sauron dislikes being called by his name. However, in the TV series “The Rings of Power,” it appears that Sauron is uncomfortable when characters address him as such and prefers to be referred to by one of his other names instead. This might imply a deeper meaning behind why he finds the name Sauron distasteful, but the exact reason isn’t explicitly explained in the series or the books.

What is Sauron’s Real Name?

In the timeless expanse before the world’s birth, echoing to the harmonious strains composed by the Ainur and Eru Ilúvatar, I was not yet Sauron. Instead, among the celestial beings known as the Maiar, lesser in stature than the revered Valar, I walked the path of life under the name Mairon – a title that translates to ‘The Admirable’ from the lofty Quenya tongue spoken by the High Elves.

Initially, the strongest among the divine beings known as the Valar, Melkor, defied Ilúvatar and assumed the role of the First Dark Overlord. Mairon, one of the Maia, had been an ally of Melkor. As Melkor plunged into darkness, so did Mairon, mirroring his actions. Corrupted by Morgoth, Mairon the Praiseworthy transformed into Sauron.

Why Is The Name Sauron So Insulting?

In the ancient land of Middle-earth, known as Beleriand during the First Age, the elves bestowed the name Sauron upon a powerful entity. It was in this region where many significant events unfolded, such as the War of Wrath that ultimately resulted in the downfall of Morgoth. The Quenya term for Sauron signifies ‘The Despised’ or ‘The Detested.’

However, the derision lies in this: The name ‘Sauron’ stems from the Quenya word ‘Saura,’ meaning foul, putrid, or rank. Essentially, the elves nicknamed Sauron as “Lord Stinky.” From being called “The Admirable” to “Stinky,” that’s quite a dramatic shift. It’s not surprising then that Sauron prefers another name and forbids his followers from using this one.

In “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” during the chapter “The Departure of Boromir,” Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli are trying to determine the origin of the Orcs who attacked the Fellowship. Gimli notices a ‘S’ rune on their helmets and exclaims, “This symbol is for Sauron.” When Legolas points out that Sauron doesn’t use elf-runes, Aragorn responds:

“Aragorn suggests that even though Sauron might not typically use Elvish runes, the Orcs who serve him might still employ them.

“Neither does he use his right name, nor permit it to be spelt or spoken.”

In the spirit of Harry Potter’s wise witch, “Fear of a name multiplies the fear it represents.” Sauron cleverly applies this strategy by prohibiting mentions of his name and achieving dual advantages. By being referred to as the Dark Lord or The Eye, he strikes terror into the hearts of both his subjects and adversaries. Additionally, this nickname serves the bonus purpose of avoiding the unpleasant connotation of “Stinky.

Why Do We Still Hear The Name ‘Sauron’?

It’s interesting to consider why characters in both the books and movies refer to him as Sauron, even though there seems to be a contradiction with Sauron’s own feelings towards his name, as evidenced by the existence of a character named Mouth of Sauron. One possible explanation is that the name Sauron is universally recognized for instilling the necessary fear and dread. Another reason could be that the story was written by Frodo Baggins in the Red Book of Westmarch, which is a hobbit’s perspective on events, and some distinctions might have been lost or misinterpreted in translation.

Following his transformation into Sauron, he amassed numerous titles due to his wicked actions during the First Age. In this era, he had the ability to transform into a vampire, commanded the werewolves serving under Morgoth, and was both a necromancer and dark sorcerer. He became known as Gorthaur the Cruel by the elves due to these deeds. In the Second Age, assuming the beautiful guise of the elf Annatar, Master of Gifts, and deceiving the elven blacksmiths of Eregion, he was referred to as Sauron the Deceiver. During the Third Age, his list of names grew further. He was recognized as The Necromancer or Dark Sorcerer when he settled in Dol Guldur, and The Eye upon his return to Mordor atop the tower of Barad-dûr.

Despite finding the name ‘Sauron’ particularly offensive and bothersome, it was the one most commonly used to address him. Regrettably, he may have attempted to change this, but to no avail. Interestingly, in the 17th edition of Parma Eldalamberon, a publication dedicated to Elvish languages and names created by J.R.R. Tolkien, it is noted that even after being influenced by Melkor, Sauron continued to call himself ‘Mairon’ or ‘Tar-Mairon’, which translates to ‘King Excellent’. If others had not referred to him with this self-aggrandizing title, the name Sauron might have felt even more demeaning.

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2025-05-15 01:14