Tolkien Encyclopedia > Powers > Maiar > Non-humanoid Intelligences > Spiders > Ungoliant > Names of Ungoliant

Names of Ungoliant

by Varda-(Valar)
July 25, 2004, updated Aug. 9, 2015

    Gloomweaver
    Gungliont
    Gwerlum
    Gwerlum the Black
    Mordi
    Morn
    Móru
    Muru
    Primeval Night
    Spider of Night - used in the story text
    Ungoliant - (Silmarillion , index in BoLT I)
    Ungoliont the spider - name given by the Noldo Elves
    Ungwë - a name given by the Eldar
    Ungweliant(ë)
    Ungwellianti
    Ungwë Lianti -  the great spider that enmeshes, a name given by the Eldar
    Wirilómë or Gloomweaver - a name given by the Eldar

  The Gnomish (later called Noldor) word-list gives the original description of Ungoliant, where Muru is "a name of the Primeval Night personified as Gwerlum or Gungliont."  Then in the The Book of Lost Tales I: "The Theft of Melko", she is referred to as the Primeval Spirit Móru. Here, the elf Lindo, tells that the people of Arda gave her many names. The Eldar call her Ungwë Lianti, meaning the great spider that enmeshes. They also call her Wirilómë or Gloomweaver. From that name, the Noldor call her Ungoliont the spider or Gwerlum the Black. Although these names are sometimes mixed into the same paragraph during the Tale, they refer to the same being.1
  Móru replaces another name, probably Mordi. Móru is also read "Morn".3

References:
1. Book of Lost Tales 1: "The Theft of Melko and the Darkening of Valinor" Text (Melko is an early form of the word for Melkor.)
2. Book of Lost Tales 1: "The Theft of Melko and the Darkening of Valinor" "Notes: Changes made to names..."
3. Book of Lost Tales 1: "The Theft of Melko and the Darkening of Valinor" "Notes: Commentary
4. Book of Lost Tales 1: Appendix: Names. Ungwë Lianti etymology given.
5. Book of Lost Tales 1: Index
6. Book of Lost Tales 1 names in the above list.
7. Silmarillion
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