Potentially silly question, but ...

Molag Bal's name seems to stem from the Aldmeri language, as both words can be found in their vocabulary: Molag meaning Fire and Bal meaning Stone. What's up with that?

1. Could it originate from Dunmeri instead of Aldmeri, as both languages share similiarities and the Dunmer feature Bal prominently in their culture?

2. Why Fire Stone? The Prince of Domination and Enslavement doesn't seem to have anything to do with either of those things.

3. Coincidence?

I think it's a coincidence, as Molech and Baal are the names of demons in certain mythologies, Baal in particular being extremely nasty, and the whole corruption and domination and [censored] stuff fall in line with Christian views of Satan and whatnot.

I'd say there is some arcane connection, just as with Hermaeus Mora's seemingly random name.

Maybe that was the initial idea - Molag Bal's name has been around since Daggerfall as far as I know. However, the literal translation hasn't been known until Morrowind and Oblivion. So, if there is a deeper meaning, I suspect they just added that part of the lore later.

With Mora (Forest), there's at least the connection to the "Woodland Man", Herma-Mora.

Yeah.. not sure why Hermy is known as the "Woodland Man" or why Bal is "Fire Stone". Interesting though, I questioned this before but never actually put any thought to it.

I thought it had to do with his role in Elder Wood as an adversary to Ysgramor and his kin.