The Names of the Nazgûl

Though if you are actual fans I shouldn’t have to explain this simple concept, today I would like to address the issue of the names of the Nazgûl. The truth is, we only know the name of one: Khamûl, second in command to the Witch King.

The names Murazor (the Witch King himself), Dwar, Ji Indur, Akhorahil, Hoarmurath, Adunaphel, Ren and Uvatha were produced by Iron Crown Enterprises for a RPG. Sadly, these names have now spread and become treated as the new names of the Nazgûl, though they have zero basis in Tolkien’s works. While many people are on the side that if Tolkien does not give a specific detail, we have the right to fill it in: that is absolutely false. Tolkien himself hated adaptations of his work, unless they were perfect, down to skin tone, clothing, and even accents. It would be unacceptable to him to have us name his characters that he has on purpose left unnamed to generate fear and mystery about them.

Another set of names ( from the game by NetEase, LotR: Rise to War) include ‘The Witch King’, Skalhelm, Cestaro, ‘The Undying’, ‘The Shadow’, Lathar, and 2 still unnamed. This approach is better, but not by much. 2 remain unnamed, retaining some of Tolkien’s idea, and many bear epithets rather than true names. This argument over changing of minor details or filling in small blanks was quite heated in September/October due to Rings of Power. I merely state my opinion (though in this case it is Tolkien’s opinion), and you are welcome to disagree with me (yet again, Tolkien’s own words though…). Thank you.