Noldo

The singular form of Noldor, referring to any individual member of the clan otherwise known as the Deep Elves. These people were known for their knowledge and skill, and characterised by their dark hair. Led to Valinor by their first lord Finwë, many of the Noldor later followed Finwë's son Fëanor back into Middle-earth in pursuit of Melkor and the stolen Silmarils.

The singular form Noldo is rare, but it is recorded, for example, during the time after Melkor had destroyed the Two Trees of Valinor. The Valar hoped that, by breaking the Silmarils, they would be able to restore the Light of the Trees, and asked Fëanor to give up the Jewels for that purpose. When Fëanor hesitated to respond, the Vala Tulkas demanded of him, 'Speak, O Noldo, yea or nay!' (Quenta Silmarillion 9,The Flight of the Noldor). (Fëanor's answer was ultimately 'nay' but, unknown to all present at that time, the Silmarils had already been stolen away by Melkor.)

Following the conventions of the later Third Age, the word Noldo would be pronounced as is natural in English, starting with an n sound. This had not always been the case: in earlier times, the name started with a ng sound (the same sound in the middle of the English word 'finger'). This older pronunciation is preserved, for example, in the name Fingolfin for an important Noldo, and in some older texts the accented spelling Ñoldo is used to mark the former pronunciation.