What is the meaning behind the name 'Sauron'?

The name 'Sauron' is derived from the Sindarin word 'saur' which means 'foul, putrid, vile'. It was given to him by the Elves of the Second Age, who saw him as an evil and malevolent force. Sauron was a prominent character in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, best known as the main antagonist of The Lord of the Rings.

In Tolkien's works, Sauron was originally a Maia of Aulë named Mairon, who was corrupted by the Dark Lord Morgoth and turned to evil. He became Morgoth's chief lieutenant, and after Morgoth's defeat, Sauron rose to power in his own right and became the Dark Lord of Middle-earth, seeking to conquer and dominate all who opposed him.

Sauron is often portrayed as a symbol of evil and corruption, and his name reflects this, as it is associated with all that is foul and repugnant. The name also serves to emphasize his role as a dark lord and a figure of terror and dread.