What's in a Name? Iceland's Unique Naming Tradition

How Icelandic Names Offer a Window into Family and History

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Naming system in Iceland is like a historical GPS, guiding you through family lineages with its patronymic or occasionally matronymic traditions.

Icelanders don't use family surnames (?!); instead, their last names reflect their parent's first name, followed by “son” (son) or “dóttir” (daughter).

This practice connects modern Icelanders directly to their Nordic roots, maintaining a link that stretches back to Viking times. So, if you meet an Ólafur Jónsson, his dad’s name was Jón. Simple, right?

But, wait, how do you know who’s your extended family? There is an app called Íslendingabók with genealogical information about the inhabitants of Iceland, dating more than 1,200 years back.

Interesting, right?

If you’re interested in more things Icelandic, read this post in my Journey Jots publication about my recent trip to Iceland:

In the Land of Fire and Ice: Þingvellir National Park