Need help with an antonym question: does Aufindë mean hairless?

Ian McFarland #2354

I wasn’t sure where else to turn with this somewhat urgent Elvish Language question… We have just adopted an Elf Cat from a rescue, and he needs a name. Since he’s an Elf already, an elvish name seemed appropriate. Trying to construct an antonym to hairy or furry.

We are also considering Findecáno and Findaráto, for ironic purposes, but they don’t really sound like… him.

He’s also super energetic, so something like nîdharwa seemed appropriate because he’s energetic… Or caudarwa because he’s ‘spicy’ in his demeanor.

I don’t have a feel for what sounds like natural elvish, though, or even if I’m constructing these roots correctly.

Sorry if this feels off topic… I wasn’t sure where else to turn. (So pointers there would also be welcome, if this feels off-topic.)

Röandil #2360

The shape au- is more often attested "away (from)" than "-less" and is usually applied to verbal stems. Tolkien changed his mind on privative/abessive elements quite a bit throughout his life. Some Quenya forms that might work:

Q. Findenco(n) "Hairless One" < (hypothetical) Primitive Elvish *Phindenekō

  • finde "hair (usually of the head) + -nca "without, -less" + -o, -on (masculine name-forming suffixes)

Q. Alafinde "Hairless" < PE *Alaphindē

  • ala- "without, less" in older names and compounds (cf. alahen "eyeless," PE22:153) + finde "hair"
  • This could be syncopated and take additional name-forming suffixes to taste: Alafindion, Alfindion, Alafindel, Alfindel, Alafindil, Alfindil, etc.

The Sindarin forms would probably be straightforward Penfin(d), Penfing or Penfindel, Penfinnel < pen- "without, lacking, less" + find "tress," fing "lock of hair," †findel > finnel "head of hair, fax." Note also that all these √SPIN(ID) derivatives refer to the hair of the head. We have much less to work with in the area of "fur, fur coat."

He’s also super energetic, so something like nîdharwa seemed appropriate because he’s energetic… Or caudarwa because he’s ‘spicy’ in his demeanor.

These are blends of Noldorin/Goldogrin (early and very early draft-Sindarin, respectively) with middle-concept Quenya and don't really work!