Cool Icelandic Names
By babettee
Updated Thu May 25 2023
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Cool Icelandic baby names and their meanings. Iceland has a rich culture, which comes through in the naming style of Icelandic parents!
So, take a look at my list and choose your favourite!
Note:
Iceland is very strict about baby naming laws.
There are 1853 approved names for girls and 1712 approved names for boys. If you reside in Iceland, to choose a name outside of this list, you must seek special permission. The authorities will see if the name is compatible with the Icelandic tradition or not.
NOT ALL OF THESE NAMES ARE ONLY SEEN IN ICELANDIC CULTURE! SOME HAVE BEEN ADOPTED FROM OTHER CULTURES.
- Agusta
- Birna
- Elvar
Origin:
Icelandic variation of Alvar, GermanMeaning:
"elf warrior"Description:
A top name in Iceland, while its parent name Alvar, ranks highly in Sweden and Finland.
- Emilia
Origin:
Feminine variation of Emil, LatinMeaning:
"rival"Description:
Emilia is the feminine form of the Roman clan name Aemilius, which derived from the Latin aemulus, meaning "rival." In Shakespeare’s Othello, Emilia is the wife of Iago and confidante of Desdemona. Amelia, although homonymous, has a different root and meaning.
- Erikur
- Frida
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"peace"Description:
The dynamic personality and paintings of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo have inspired growing numbers of parents to resurrect this form of the name. It does much better in certain European countries, especially in Denmark and Norway. The Frieda and Freida spellings were more popular in the US until the middle of the 20th century.
- Freydís
- Guðmundur
- Harpa
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"harp"Description:
The Old Norse word for "harp", also designating the constellation Lyra (which means "lyre" in Greek). It's popular in Iceland, where it is also the name of the first month of summer in the old Icelandic calendar.
- Halldór
- Haukr
- Johanna
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Johanna is the version of this name used in Holland, Germany, and Scandinavia. The extra h makes Johanna a slightly more dignified version of Joanna.
- Jonas
Origin:
Greek variation of JonahMeaning:
"dove"Description:
Jonas has a slightly more grandfatherly image than the English version of his name, but that only adds to its retro appeal. And though it may lag behind Jonah in this country, Jonas is riding a huge wave of popularity in Europe, where it ranks highly in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Norway.
- Katrín
- Lara
Origin:
Russian, diminutive of Larissa or LarisaMeaning:
"citadel"Description:
This is an alternative to Laura or Lauren made romantic by Dr Zhivago, and badass by video-game heroine Lara Croft.
- Lilija
- Margrjet
- Rakel
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of RachelDescription:
Apt to be confused with Raquel.
- Reynir
- Soley
Origin:
Icelandic nature name, variation of Sólja, FaroeseMeaning:
"buttercup"Description:
Sóley is the Icelandic word for the buttercup flower, derived from the words meaning "sun" and "island." It is also used on the Faroe Islands as a short form of Sólja.