Theoden
/ˈθeɪ.ə.dən/noun
A title for a king or ruler, especially in Old English and Tolkien-inspired usage.
Did you know?Old English þēoden comes from the same ancient root as Germanic words for “people,” so the king’s title literally marked him as the leader of the tribe, not a divine being.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*teutéh₂
“people, tribe”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*þeudanaz
“leader of the people, king”
Old English
OE
þēoden
“prince, king, ruler”
Old Norse
ON
þjóðann
“ruler, king”
Modern English
English
theoden
“a poetic or literary term for a king; also a proper name in Tolkien”