Frodo Baggins cousin to Meriadoc's father, Saradoc Brandybuck. Their common ancestors are Gorbadoc Brandybuck and Mirabella Took Brandybuck. Frodo is moreover second (through her paternal grandfather Hildigrim Took) and third (through her paternal grandmother Rosa Baggins) cousin to Meriadoc's mother, Esmeralda Took. Frodo is also related to Peregrin Took, being his second and third cousin once removed (Peregrin's father, Paladin Took is, like his sister Esmeralda, second and third cousin to Frodo, as explained above). Even Fredegar Bolger (through his mother Rosamund Took) is second cousin once removed to Frodo. Frodo also shares a close relationship with his gardener Samwise Gamgee although
Frodo Baggins Inglorion calls him "Elf-friend" in acknowledgement of his ability to speak Elvish. After the Council of Elrond he is given the title "Ring-bearer". After the fulfilment of the quest bards call him "Nine-fingered Frodo" or "Frodo of the Nine Fingers", as Gollum had bitten off his finger to take the Ring from him. Frodo is the only prominent hobbit whose name is not explained in Tolkien’s Appendices to "The Lord of the Rings". In his letters Tolkien states that it is derived from Old English "fród" meaning "wise by experience". A character from Norse mythology called Fróði is mentioned in