Who is the father of Aragorn?

Aragorn’s father was Arathorn II, the chieftain of the Dúnedain and a direct descendant of Isildur. Aragorn was therefore born into the hidden royal line of Arnor and Gondor.

Arathorn married Gilraen, and their son Aragorn was born in the year 2931 of the Third Age. When Aragorn was only two years old, Arathorn was killed by orcs while pursuing them. After his father’s death, Aragorn was raised in Rivendell under Elrond’s protection and given the name Estel, meaning “hope.”

A common mix-up is confusing Arathorn with Isildur, Aragorn’s distant ancestor, or with Elrond, who became Aragorn’s foster father and later his father-in-law. Aragorn’s identity as “Aragorn son of Arathorn” is explicitly revealed during the journey of the Fellowship.

Arathorn’s brief life is important because his death helped conceal Aragorn’s royal heritage from Sauron’s enemies. It also explains why Aragorn grew up away from the kingdoms he was eventually destined to rule.