While the Gray Wizard is commonly called Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, that is far from his only name. Back when he was a shapeshifting Maia living in Valinor, he was known as Olórin, so this could technically be considered his real name. Still, he was known by dozens of others in Middle-earth. Mithrandir, Incánus, Old Greybeard, and Stormcrow are only a few the beings of Middle-earth placed on the Istar. The name Gandalf initially came from Men and literally translates to “Wand Elf.” However, Rings of Power may have found a different (and rather fitting) source.
The Stranger Is Called “Grand-Elf” By The Stoors In The Rings Of Power Season 2
The Stoorish Leader Gave The Stranger An Interesting Nickname
In The Rings of Power, season 2, episode 4, Nori and Poppy find a community of Halflings in Rhûn called the Stoors. It’s ultimately discovered that the Harfoots had originally been Stoors as well, but that one of their number had split off in search of a new haven for their people. As Nori learned this, the leader, Gundabel, took issue with the Harfoots’ giant companion. She called him a “great big Grand-Elf“—a title that sounds quite a lot like “Gandalf.”
How “Grand-Elf” Could Very Easily Become “Gandalf”
Gandalf The “Wand Elf” May Come From The Stoors’ Nickname
Before the Stranger and Nori were separated, the Harfoot had been attempting to think up a name for her companion. She made a number of suggestions, but none of them felt right to the Istar, who said that he would know his proper title once he heard it. While Nori didn’t react much when Gundabel said “Grand-Elf,” this could easily be a phrase that sticks in her mind. By the time she is reunited with the Stranger, she may have come to the conclusion that the slightly altered “Gandalf” has a good ring to it.
The original meaning of Gandalf’s name could come into play here as well. Part of the Stranger’s journey in The Rings of Power season 2 is to find a wizard’s staff since this has been a prevalent feature in his dreams and visions. It can be assumed that by the time he departs Tom Bombadil’s house (where he is meant to receive magic lessons), he will finally have his designated staff—essentially a magic wand. He would indeed be the “Wand Elf” to the Men and Stoors in Rhûn. Combined with the double meaning of Grand-Elf, this is a perfectly fitting origin story for the wizard’s common name.
The Stoors Giving Gandalf His Name Would Make A Lot Of Sense
This Only Strengthens The Bond Between Gandalf & Hobbits
None of this is how Tolkien wrote things, of course; the fact that the Stranger is likely Gandalf is already controversial since this wizard didn’t come to Middle-earth until the Third Age in the Lord of the Rings canon. What’s more, Gandalf notably met the Hobbits once they had already settled near the Shire during the Long Winter. Still, the nature of Rings of Power‘s change works rather well with Gandalf’s continued story. If the Stranger truly is Gandalf, it makes sense that the first beings to show him kindness and compassion—and to give him his name—would be ancestors of the Hobbits.
Gandalf, whose divine task it was to gently guide the world against Sauron, noticed the potential of Hobbits and hand-selected them to take part in Middle-earth’s destiny.
Gandalf was the only being in Middle-earth to pay Hobbits any real attention. Sauron had overlooked their existence entirely, and heroes of Elves and Men had led any prior fights against evil. However, Gandalf, whose divine task it was to gently guide the world against Sauron, noticed the potential of Hobbits and hand-selected them to take part in Middle-earth’s destiny. He saw the strength in the small, and Rings of Power provides an explanation for why this might have been. It may not be canon, but the idea that Stoors gave Gandalf his name is just too poetic to ignore.
