Tolkien’s Original Plan for Frodo in ‘The Lord of the Rings’

In the instance of ‘The Lord of the Rings’, J.R.R. Tolkien’s initial plans for Frodo Baggins were very different from what we know and love today. Fans of classic books and movies frequently discover early concepts that could have significantly altered the finished result. To create the Frodo that we now know as a far more sophisticated character, Tolkien, who is renowned for his painstaking work as a linguist and storyteller, first experimented with a few ideas that eventually didn’t make it into the finished form.

Bingo Baggins was the initial name of the character whom we now know as Frodo in the early manuscripts of ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’. To the astonishment of contemporary readers who would identify “Bingo” more with pet names than a hero, this name was considered for a while. Frodo’s relationship with Bilbo was also different, in addition to the name change; he was originally conceived as Bilbo’s son rather than his nephew, which would have drastically changed their dynamic and the mystery surrounding their relationship.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

As demonstrated by the numerous iterations of character names before deciding on the final ones, Tolkien’s naming procedure was everything but straightforward. It’s interesting to note that the Old English name Frodo, which means “wise by experience,” was first used for Pippin Took. For Frodo’s character, whose journey is more about acquiring wisdom via moral obstacles than through physical daring, this renaming change worked well.

Even though Tolkien’s early concepts—like Bingo Baggins—might seem strange today, they were crucial in creating the adored characters. In the end, Tolkien’s creative process—which included trying out several names and relationships—enriched ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and gave its plot and characters more nuance.

–Farheen Ali