The Rings of Power's Stoors inadvertently gave Gandalf his name. The Stoors were calling the Stranger "Grand-Elf" in the absence of having a name for him. Nori explained in the season 2 finale ...

Hearing the phrase “Grand Elf” unlocked something in The Stranger’s mind. When he got back to Tom Bombadil’s cottage he knew what he’d be known as on Middle-earth. “Gandalf.

The name Gandalf initially came from Men and literally translates to "Wand Elf." However, Rings of Power may have found a different (and rather fitting) source.

Perhaps less surprising is the journey of The Stranger, culminating in his realization that he is Grand Elf — Gandalf for short — the iconic wizard character from JRR Tolkien’s works.

As the group is leaving, they individually thank him as “grand elf.” Nori explains it’s ... “Like his name.” “Gandalf,” The Stranger (no more) says after a pause.

She refers to him as a ‘great big Grand-Elf', a title that bears a striking resemblance to ‘Gandalf’, hinting at a possible connection to the iconic wizard.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 finale finally confirmed that the Stranger is Gandalf. He adopts his name from the nickname the storrs give him of “Grand elf.” Not only that ...