What was J.R.R. Tolkien’s first given name?

J.R.R. Tolkien’s first given name was John.

His full name was John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. He was born on 3 January 1892 in Bloemfontein, in what was then the Orange Free State, and was commonly known by his initials rather than by his first name.

The initials stand for John, Ronald, and Reuel. Ronald was the name most often used by family and friends during much of his life, while Reuel came from a family naming tradition associated with his father’s side.

Readers sometimes assume that “J.R.R.” represents three surnames or titles. It represents three given names, with Tolkien as his family name. His formal naming pattern reflects the conventions of his period and family background.