The Names of Sauron

[Puddleglum]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I think that all the names of the ainur that we know aren't "true" names. Maybe they didn't have names as we see them before the creation of Ea. It's this abstractish thing that's hard to explain, but you can know a person without knowing their name.

I fully agree with you. Even Tolkien (in Letter #211) said

The Valar had no language of their own, not needing one, they had no 'true' names, only identities, and their names were conferred on them by the Elves.

So, I'd say you hit the nail right on the proverbial head.

As to the other bit, it's a theme in other literature as well - for example "The Lensman" series (siFi) by EE Smith. In that case the controlling races, The Arisians & Eddoreans (beings with "Minds of Power"), had "symbols", not true names which were mental shorthands for the life essence of each being.