The original Sindarin name of the river that formed Rohan's northern border is uncertain. Various sources give Limlaith, Limlich or Limliht, all sharing the same meaning of 'swift-light'. 'Limlint' seems to be the earliest of all these versions (at least in Tolkien's imagination, if not in Middle-earth's history). When the Rohirrim came to choose a name for their own border-river, they merely adapted the sounds of the existing name rather than translate it, hence the more common name of this river, the Limlight.
Notes
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There are multiple variations on the name of this small but important border river, and untangling the etymological roots of its various names is difficult. By comparison with other variations, the name Limlint seems to mean 'swift-light', where 'light' is meant in the sense of 'bright' or 'shimmering'. Alternatively, the first element might relate to Elvish limp, 'clear and sparkling', which would also fit well with lint as 'light' or 'bright'.
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- Updated 5 March 2026
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