Incánus

The meaning of Incánus is a question that Tolkien addressed differently at different times. Its ultimate origin seems to have been the Latin word incánus, meaning 'grey', or 'grey-haired'. Latin being rather inappropriate to Middle-earth, Tolkien reinterpreted it variously as a Westron word meaning 'Greymantle', or as an Elvish name, suggesting both 'north spy' and 'mind ruler' as possible meanings. This last, from in(id) 'mind' and kan- 'ruler', seems to have been his preference, though it is difficult to state this with certainty.