J.R.R. Tolkien’s third given name was Reuel. His full name was John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, which explains the initials used on his books and academic work.
“Reuel” was used as a family name among Tolkien’s relatives. Tolkien’s father chose the name for him, and it remained part of his formal identity throughout his life. He was generally known publicly as Ronald by family and friends, while his published name became the familiar J.R.R. Tolkien.
The name is sometimes mistaken for an additional middle initial or confused with Tolkien’s surname. In fact, the three initials represent three given names: John, Ronald, and Reuel. Tolkien’s surname was inherited from his father’s family and had German origins.
The author’s formal naming is one small detail behind a very recognizable literary signature. His initials became closely associated with Middle-earth, even though his academic career covered much broader subjects in language and literature.