Popular icelandic fiction books meet your next favorite book. The threeperson committee in iceland that approves baby names. Icelandic surnames nordic names wiki name origin, meaning. In iceland only names which appear on the personal names register are allowed to use. Then comes your last name, then your address, then your occupation to set you apart you from all the other jon jonssons, what else and finally your phone numbers. How come this little island has these seemingly curious rules. There are some family names in iceland and those are generally derived from individuals moving abroad in the early 20th century, and then returning with a last name such as andersen, thors, gu. Skoch reykjavik, iceland the television commercial for a local mobile phone company here wouldnt work in many places outside iceland. Greenland, meanwhile, was not discovered by norsemen, that is until a century or so later, when a norwegian who was sailing to iceland was blown off course. Thirdly, when naming a child, one has to stick to a limited list of names. Top 100 baby names in iceland for boys click baby names. The true nonfiction story of icelands founding is more complicated and had something to do with ingolfur arnason above, a norse chieftain who founded reykjavik in 874.
If an icelander and a foreign person have a child together they can name that child one name from the non icelandic persons country but they will need. Dec 17, 20 their names, however, remained a point of much interpretation and debate until recently. He also ran for president of iceland in 2016 and came in third. The weird world of icelandic names whats on in iceland. They come through books, magazines, television and outstanding personas. Icelandic names nordic names wiki name origin, meaning. From iceland origin story of icelands naming in dispute.
One of the most gripping passages in her book is an account moss is given of. Foreigners are often amused by the fact that the icelandic phonebook is organized by first names. Secondly, one cannot take up the spouses last name upon marriage. There have been sightings and tragic tales of the reversefin trout across iceland. These types of book lists will be the new book and travel norm for 2019 on tul as i niche down. Currently there are about 1,712 male names and 1,853 female given names on the list. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Sep 19, 2008 the icelandic phone book lists everyone by their first names. Icelandic girls cant be called harriet, government tells. What to read before visiting iceland whats on in iceland. Top 100 baby names in iceland for boys todays icelandic baby names for many of us of, shall we say, a certain age our introduction to iceland came from the classic videogame and tv show, where in the world is carmen sandiego. Everyone is listed by their first names in the phone book because here we call everyone by their first names. The telephone directory in iceland we have one book for the whole nation is also alphabetised by first name.
Mar 15, 2019 some of icelands most famous volcanoes are popular female names in iceland, examples katla, and hekla. Iceland shares a common cultural heritage with the scandinavian countries of denmark, the faroe islands, norway, and. Page 3 of the ultimate az icelandic names list, complete with name meanings and origins for all icelandic baby names. But icelanders are increasingly migrating to cities and urban environments, which tends to make the traditional meeting as well as mating process more anonymous. List of approved icelandic male names nordic names wiki name. Top 10 icelandic books you need to read all about iceland. The most popular names in iceland in 2016 were emilia emelia and alexander. Discover the best iceland travel guides in best sellers. Names in blue are names of people who were part of the originally settlers of iceland in the 9th century. Its lovely to be able to read books in their original language, but one good thing about reading icelandic books in translation is that those available in english and other languages have been translated precisely because they are either classics, very good, very popular, or all of the above. Most popular names for boys in iceland from namipedia, the baby name wizard s naming encyclopedia. It was a collection of the darkest rules and spells known to have been created by a man who officially worshipped the christian god. Popular names in iceland 2016 top 50 expand yeartoyear changes. You can also name your child after many famous icelandic mountains such as esja and ernir.
Search by name and location, or by reverse phone number. If a family had a surname before 1925, they have been allowed to keep using it. In iceland the use of surnames is forbidden by a law, which passed in 1925. Nov 16, 2011 its lovely to be able to read books in their original language, but one good thing about reading icelandic books in translation is that those available in english and other languages have been translated precisely because they are either classics, very good, very popular, or all of the above. Since iceland s surprising streak of victories at the euro cup, the spotlight has been on this island up north.
Icelandic names are used on the island nation of iceland. These documents from the 9th and 10th centuries might not be the soundest historical evidence but they give us an idea of where icelandic names come from. The committee comprises three appointees who serve for four years, appointed by the minister of justiceone to be nominated by the icelandic language committee, one by the faculty of philosophy of the university. Along with alexander, other common names for boys in iceland include aron, viktor, kristian, and robert. Names matter in iceland, a country of barely 320,000 people whose phone book lists subscribers by their first name for the very sensible.
The icelandic naming committee also known in english as the personal names. Icelandic surnames are different from most other naming systems in the modern western world by being patronymic or occasionally matronymic. Icelandic girls cant be called harriet, government tells family. Meet the thirteen yule lads, icelands own mischievous santa. Sep 26, 2017 eliminate the names committee, says one member, and some families will give their children only digits for names. The naming committee was established in 1991 to determine whether new given names not previously used in iceland are suitable for integration into the countrys language and culture. Thus, only about 10 % of the icelanders have a hereditary surname, most commonly a danish secondary patronym or a farm name both from iceland and from the other. In 2009, she saw an advertisement for a job at the university of iceland and applied on a whim, despite having two young children and a comfortable life in kent. The legend of how iceland got its name has been called into question, and historians cannot come to a consensus on the matter once and for all.
The story of iceland and greenland hannibal and me. Most popular names for girls in iceland from namipedia, the baby name wizard s naming encyclopedia. Iceland is a nordic island country located in the north atlantic. Oct 09, 2019 iceland has a naming committee that approves or denies names that have never been used before. Strangers in iceland is her account of their year living almost at the top of the world and it is a phenomenal and intriguing read.
Everyone in iceland pays church tax, and the payment of those unaffiliated with a church goes to the university of iceland. With a population of 348,580 and an area of 40,000 square. Icelandic sheepdog dog names popular male and female. Eliminate the names committee, says one member, and some families will give their children only digits for names.
Other names cannot be used, but it is possible to apply to a committee. Iceland has a registry of approved names that a parent can give their child. Also, search for people by email address with a iceland reverse email search. List of approved icelandic female names nordic names wiki. My top 5 icelandic novels about iceland in reykjavik.
One of the most gripping passages in her book is an account moss is given of the 2009 pots and pans revolution, when the. In 1918, iceland achieved independence from denmark and the aftereffects of hallgrimssons vision persisted. If the parents tend towards a moniker not previously used in iceland and therefore not on the list of possible names, they have to send a request to the icelandic naming committee mannanafnanefnd before being allowed to name their child. The goal of all these regulations is to ensure the continuance of icelandic. Their names, however, remained a point of much interpretation and debate until recently.
Oh, iceland, the land that gave us bjork and lagoon spas. From the old norse name agnarr, derived from agi awe, terror or egg edge of a sword combined with arr warrior. Sarah moss had a childhood dream of moving to iceland, sustained by a wild summer there when she was nineteen. Novelist sarah moss had a childhood dream of moving to iceland. Iceland has a few peculiarities when it comes to names. These names include colloquial, formal, and poetic forms. Photo books with fresh, vibrant photographs and lively accessible text combine to portray the extraordinary contrasts of icelandic nature. Dozens of different names for the yule lads appear in. Find out more in the annual name statistics tables. The icelandic phone book lists everyone by their first names. The series begins with jar city and heavily features icelands insular culture with psychological drama and grim secrets. It has a population of roughly 350,000 people, who are among the healthiest people in the world. Icelandic dog names popular male and female names wag.
Many names have been used to refer to iceland in the icelandic language. All names must carry on the alphabet, grammar, declination, suffixes, and pronunciation integral to the language. This name generator will generate 10 random icelandic names. Jun 26, 2014 names matter in iceland, a country of barely 320,000 people whose phone book lists subscribers by their first name for the very sensible reason that the vast majority of icelandic surnames simply. Apr 21, 2020 indridasons 11 book series may be the most commercially successful of all of the mystery books on iceland. Popular icelandic authors books showing 150 of 184 last rituals. However, there has not only been talked about the nations football performances, there has also been quite some confusion as to why all the men on the team have a last name ending in son. The government simply made a committee of lawyers, professors in the icelandic language and other qualified scholars to interpret the laws that the parliament had passed. The icelandic naming committee maintains an official register of approved icelandic given names and is the governing body of introduction of. Top names in iceland 2016 baby names expert advice. Along with emilia, other top names for girls in iceland include emma, sara, eva, and anna. Among his oeuvre is a book of discount poetry sold in grocery stores, a childrens novel or two, and a nonfiction book on the state of icelands industry and its future direction.
We surprisingly have a lot to thank iceland for, mainly the ability to still be motivated enough to continue living well even in low, low temperatures. Icelandic names list az page 3 from haraldur to oskar. An icelandic citizen cannot take up the last name of their foreign partner and if they have already done this abroad they will need to return to their maiden name if they move back to iceland. Genealogy database the book of icelanders tracks lovers ancestry by iva r. The commission also regulates what new names can be registered into the 1,200yearold language, keeping a tight grip on heritage.
Iceland is a country in the north atlantic ocean, far to the northwest of the uk. The most popular names for babies in iceland are emilia and alexander. In iceland, we have a naming committee which accepts or declines named which have never been used before. Loki skylizard or peruse a tabloid story about apple paltrow, iceland firmly guards the given names that their citizens are allowed to take. Icelandic names are names used by people from iceland.
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