Samwise Gamgee
Tolkien states that the "true" or Westron form of Sam's name is "Banazîr Galbasi". As with "Samwise", "Banazîr" comes from elements meaning "halfwise" or "simple". "Galbasi" comes from the name of the village "Galabas". The name "Galabas" uses the elements "galab-", meaning "game", and "bas-", corresponding somewhat to "-wich" or "-wick". In his role as "translator" of the "Red Book of Westmarch", Tolkien devised a strict English translation, "Samwís Gamwich", which develops into "Samwise Gammidgy" and eventually comes to "Samwise Gamgee" in modern English. In the year 1427 of the Shire Reckoning, Sam was elected Mayor of the Shire for the first of seven consecutive seven-year terms.