What are common last names 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.
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).
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Does everyone in Iceland have a last name?
Every person in Iceland has a last name, just like everywhere else. However most people have patronymic or matronymic last names instead of surnames or family names. This means that your last name indicates who your father or mother is, instead of referring to your whole family.
How do you make a patronymic name in Iceland?
Instead of surnames the Icelanders usually use primary patronymics according to the Old Norse tradition. To create an Icelandic primary patronym, the suffix -son (= ‘son’) or -dóttir (= ‘daughter’) is added to the genitive form of the father’s name.
How do children in Iceland get their fathers names?
It used to be mainly patronyms, meaning children got their fathers name. But matronyms are becoming popular too. That means that a daughter called Inga who’s father is called Einar, will be called Inga Einarsdóttir. If she has child and are alone or her husband agree with a matronym, the child will be called Ingasson or Ingasdóttir.
Why do Icelanders call everyone by their first name?
In Iceland, everyone is called by their first name, be it teachers, doctors, celebrities such as Björk (Guðmundsdóttir), or our presidents and prime ministers. While calling everyone by their first name lacks formality, it does help foster a dialogue with a less stuffy hierarchy.