General
Fun Facts About Names and Naming Traditions
Did you know that in Iceland, traditional naming conventions require that a child’s last name reflect their parent’s first name rather than the family’s surname?
In this unique system, known as patronymics (or matronymics if derived from the mother’s name), a son’s last name is typically his father’s first name with the suffix “-son,” and a daughter’s last name is the same first name with the suffix “-dóttir.”
For example, if a father’s name is “Jón,” his son might be called “Jónsson” and his daughter “Jónsdóttir.”
This means that siblings can have different last names, further emphasizing the individuality of names within Icelandic culture.
Additionally, names must be approved by the Icelandic Naming Committee to ensure they adhere to Icelandic traditions and language rules, preserving this fascinating cultural heritage.
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