explain the significance of Bard’s name. What could Tolkien be alluding to? What is Tolkien showing he values by naming such a noble and heroic character “Bard”?
I had to actually research this one. Bard's name was in the language of Dale, which is represented by Old Norse in the book.[8][9] In other Germanic names (such as Isembard), bard refers to beard. This could be either the facial hair, or more likely "Battle-Axe" (beard is also a term for a part of an axe). You can check it out at the link below:
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