Unlike other Nordics, Icelanders have continued to use their traditional name system, which was formerly used by all Nordic countries except partly Finland. The Icelandic system is thus not based on family names (although some people do have family names and might use both systems).
Contents
How do last names work in Iceland?
The format of last names used in Iceland is different from the rest of the world. Icelanders derive their surname from their father or mother’s first name. An Icelander’s last name consists of their father or mother’s followed by the suffix -son (in case of a boy) or -dóttir (in case of a girl).
Does Iceland use surnames?
We don’t have family names, you cannot name your child whatever you want and marriage means not altering one’s name. The original names in Iceland were those of the Nordic people. The original settlers had names you can still see today such as Ingólfur (male), Björn (male), Auður (female) and Hallveig (female).
How do people in Iceland name their kids?
The naming system in Iceland is the old Scandinavian system which all the countries once used. It is a paternal system where the father gives his children his first name as their last name adding -son if the child is a boy and -dóttir if the child is a girl. This might seem confusing at first, but really it is not.
What is the most common surname in Iceland?
Surnames in Iceland: Common options
- Jónsdóttir or Jónsson.
- Kristjánsson or Kristjánsdóttir.
- Guðmundsdóttir or Guðmundsson.
- Einarsson or Einarsdóttir.
- Sigurðardóttir or Sigurðsson.
- Ólafsson or Ólafsdóttir.
- Magnúsdóttir or Magnússon.
- Jóhannsson or Jóhannsdóttir.
What names are illegal in Iceland?
Names Iceland banned this year
- Lucifer.
- Ariel.
- Lady.
- Zelda.
- Aryan.
- Ezra.
- Sezar.
Why is Harriet banned in Iceland?
The committee refused to accept the names of Duncan and Harriet Cardew—Icelandic-born children of a British father and an Icelandic mother—because their names did not meet the criteria for being added to the registry of approved names.
Why do Iceland names end in SON?
YOU may have noticed that almost all the Iceland players have ‘son’ at the end of their names. This is because their naming system isn’t the same as other Western nations, as Icelanders do not not use family names. Instead of a family name, a person’s second name indicates the first name of their father.
What does Dottir mean in Icelandic?
Iceland is very unique in terms of how it names its sons and daughters.If you are the daughter of Magnus, your last name would be Magnussdottir (dottir translates to daughter). The patronymic system means that Icelanders are really a first-name kind of country.
Do people in Iceland speak English?
English is taught as a second language in Iceland and almost every Icelander speaks the language fluently. And more so, most Icelanders speak several other languages including Danish, German, Spanish and French and welcome the opportunity to practice their language skills.
What is the most popular girl name in Iceland?
Guðrún
What is the most common female name in Iceland? In 2019, the most popular name was Guðrún, with 4,656 individuals bearing the name. Anna and Kristín were the second and third most common female names during the time under consideration.
Is my name legal in Iceland?
Loki Skylizard or peruse a tabloid story about Apple Paltrow, Iceland firmly guards the given names that their citizens are allowed to take. In fact, there’s an official delegation appointed by the Ministry of the Interior to serve as gatekeeper of given names: The Icelandic Naming Committee.
Is Icelandic hard to learn?
In fact, Icelandic has been consistently ranked as one of the hardest languages for English speakers to learn as a result of the archaic vocabulary and complex grammar.Not only are the words extremely long, the specific syllables are pronounced completely different from your typical English syllables.
Do Icelandic siblings have different last names?
Because an Icelandic person’s last name is dependent on one of their parent’s first names and their gender, there are mostly no family names. For example, a family of four that has two parents and two kids, one male and the other female, will all have different last names.
What language is spoken in Iceland?
Icelandic
Why is Zoe banned in Iceland?
The Icelandic Naming Committee has deemed both of these names as lacking in “proper historical precedence,” due to the fact that only nine girls are named “Daniela” in Iceland and seven women named “Zoe.” In fact, nearly a week ago on October 26, the Reykjavík District Court ruled that the parents of a 2-year-old girl
Is it illegal to have dogs in Iceland?
Dogs are forbidden
Strictly speaking, it is forbidden to own dogs in Iceland. In 1971, a complete ban on dogs was enforced in Reykjavík, but 13 years later the rules were changed, and people could own dogs if both owner and dog met a few conditions.
How many murders are there in Iceland each year?
The homicide rate in Iceland varied between 2010 and 2019, from roughly 0.3 murders per 100,000 inhabitants in 2019, to 0.9 in 2011.
What names are approved in Iceland?
Iceland uses a unique naming system, rarely used in other countries. As well as this, Icelanders are only allowed to be called names that have been approved by an official body, called the Icelandic Naming Committee. They’ll happily reject any names that aren’t deemed to be Icelandic enough.
Are dogs popular in Iceland?
Dog ownership has taken a sharp rise during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland.Guðný Isaksen, managing director of HRFÍ, told RÚV that small dogs have been very popular but overall, the demand is currently outpacing the supply of many types of breeds.
How long can an American stay in Iceland?
90 days
Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements
This means that U.S. citizens may enter Iceland for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area.
