The derivation of the name Rúmil is not fully explained, but in his linguistic appendix to The Book of Lost Tales (in volume I of The History of Middle-earth), Christopher Tolkien speculates on a connection to the root rûm, 'secret' or 'mystery' or its derivative rui, 'whisper'.
If this speculation is correct, then it fits well with Rúmil's identity as the inventor of writing. In Old English the word rune meant 'secret, mystery', and its Germanic forerunner runa could be interpreted as 'whisper'. Though Rúmil devised the Elvish script rather than runes, the etymological connection to ancient writing systems nonetheless seems too close to be coincidental. |