Quenya is the Elvish language called High-elven in Tolkien’s legendarium. It is one of Tolkien’s most fully developed invented languages and has a prestigious place in the history and culture of the Elves.
Within Middle-earth’s fictional history, Quenya originated among the Noldor and Vanyar, the Elves associated with Valinor. Many Noldor later returned to Middle-earth, where Sindarin became more common in daily life. Quenya consequently survived especially as a language of lore, ceremony, poetry, and formal names.
Tolkien developed Quenya over much of his life as a philologist. Finnish was a major influence on its sound and structure, while Latin and other languages also contributed to its aesthetic character. The poem “Namárië,” sung by Galadriel, is among the best-known substantial passages in Quenya.
Sindarin is the most common answer people mistakenly substitute because it is another major Elvish language in The Lord of the Rings. Sindarin means Grey-elven, whereas Quenya carries the High-elven association. Adûnaic is a Mannish language, and Khuzdul is the language of the Dwarves.