A name of Laurelin translated “Tree of Gold” (MR/155), apparently a combination of a variant form of the adjective [N.] malthen “of gold” and orn “tree” (Ety/SMAL). The initial adjective melthin- appears to be plural, though the reason why is unclear since the second element is obviously singular.
Conceptual Development: The name N. Melthinorn appeared in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (LR/30). It also appears in The Etymologies, which is the source of the derivation above (Ety/SMAL). In the same entry, there is an archaic form †Mellinorn, apparently containing a plural of N. mallen.
Another name of Laurelin (S/38), a compound of malina “yellow, golden” and alda “tree” (SA/alda, mal).
Conceptual Development: The name ᴹQ. Malinalda also appeared in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (LR/210), likely with the same meaning and etymology.