The original name of Thingol, which in Sindarin became Elu (S/291). Its initial element is él “star” and its final element is the suffix -wë common in ancient names (PM/340).

Conceptual Development: In the earliest Lost Tales, the leader of the third tribe of Elves was named Sol. Ellu (LT1/155), though at this early stage the character was distinct from the contemporanerous character that would develop into Thingol (G. Tinwelint). The name changed to (Telerin?) Elu with one l in very early Silmarillion drafts (SM/13, 85), and was given the Qenya cognate of ᴱQ. Elwe.

In the Annals of Beleriand from the 1930s, ᴹQ. Elwe was identified as the brother of Thingol (SM/264) and so remained in Silmarillion drafts of that period (LR/217). In The Etymologies, ᴹQ. Elwe was first derived from the root √ƷEL “sky”, with a later note indicating it should be transferred to √EL “star” (Ety/ƷEL). It was not until Silmarillion revisions from the 1950s-60s that this name was assigned to Thingol, at which point his brother was renamed to Q. Olwë (MR/82).

At this stage, the brother of Thingol and leader of the Teleri (S/264, LR/214-5). See later Q. Elwë and Olwë for further discussion.

At this stage, the Qenya name of the leader of the third tribe of Elves, the Solosimpi (SM/13). See Q. Elwë for further discussion.