To Elves and Dúnedain he was known as Iarwain Ben-adar, which translates to "oldest and fatherless".[4] Iarwain literally means "Old-young".[12]

To Men of the Vales of Anduin and Rohan, he was known as Orald.[4] This is an Old English word meaning "very ancient.[13]

The Dwarves knew him as Forn.[4] This too is a reference to his age: it is Old Norse for "(belonging to) ancient (days)".[13]

Bombadil is said to be a Bucklandish name, added by Hobbit chroniclers to his many older ones. Like most Bucklandish names, its translation is unknown.[5] The resemblance of the -dil ending to the common Elvish (n)dil, "friend," may or may not be coincidental. >>21713741