When you first hear names of famous Icelanders, like singer Björk Guðmundsdóttir or explorer Leif Erikson, you might notice something interesting about their last names.

They almost all end in -son or -dóttir.

Why is that?

It’s because Iceland doesn’t use family names or surnames like most of the world. Instead, we use a patronymic naming system. It sounds complicated, but it’s actually very simple: your last name just tells everyone who your father is!

This system was once common across Scandinavia, but Iceland and the Faroe Islands are the only places where it’s still the standard. Let’s break down how it all works.

How does the patronymic system work?

The rule is simple:

• A boy’s last name is made from his father’s first name + son (meaning “son”).
• A girl’s last name is made from her father’s first name + dóttir (meaning “daughter”).

Let’s use my own name as an example: Anna Jónsdóttir. This name tells you that I am Anna, the daughter of a man named Jón. If I had a brother named Ólafur, his name would be Ólafur Jónsson—Ólafur, the son of Jón.

So, my brother and I would have different last names, even though we have the same father.

When forming the name, the father’s name changes slightly. It goes into what grammar experts call the “genitive case,” which is just a way of showing possession (like adding ‘s in English). Most of the time, this just means adding an -s to the father’s name.

Here are a few more examples:

What about matronymic names?

While most Icelanders take their father’s name, it’s also possible to use the mother’s name instead. This is called a matronymic name.

The system works exactly the same way, just using the mother’s first name.

Let’s imagine a mother named Bryndís has a son named Dagur. His name could be:

People choose matronymic names for many reasons. Sometimes the father isn’t involved in the child’s life, or sometimes parents simply prefer to use the mother’s name. It’s becoming more common and is completely accepted in Iceland.

What happens when people get married?

This is a very important point that often confuses visitors. In Iceland, people do not change their names when they get married.

Since your last name describes who you are (the son or daughter of your parent), it doesn’t make sense to change it.

So, if Katrín Jónsdóttir marries Gunnar Pálsson:

• She is still Katrín Jónsdóttir.
• He is still Gunnar Pálsson.

Their children would likely be named Gunnarsson or Gunnarsdóttir, but they could also choose to use Katrín’s name and be Katrínarson or Katrínardóttir. The whole family might have three or four different last names!

How do you address Icelanders?

Because our last name is not a family name, we always address each other by our first names. This is true in every situation, from talking to a friend to meeting the President of Iceland.

For example, our former president was named Guðni Th. Jóhannesson. Everyone, including news reporters and children, called him Guðni. You would never call him Mr. Jóhannesson.

This is why the phone book in Iceland is alphabetized by first name, not by last name. It just makes more sense for us!

Are there any real family names in Iceland?

Yes, there are a few exceptions. A small number of Icelanders have inherited family surnames that are passed down through generations.

These names often come from a time before the current naming laws were established in the 20th century, or from ancestors who came from other countries. For example, the famous Icelandic author Halldór Laxness had a family name.

However, it is no longer legal for anyone in Iceland to create or adopt a new family name. If you don’t already have one in your family line, you must use the patronymic or matronymic system.

In summary

The Icelandic naming system is a beautiful link to our history. It might seem strange at first, but it’s a very logical system.

Just remember these key points:

• Last names are based on a parent’s first name, ending in -son or -dóttir.
• A woman does not change her name when she gets married.
• Always, always call an Icelander by their first name!

So next time you see a name like Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, you’ll know exactly what it means: Sigurður Ingi, the son of Jóhann. Simple, right?