Publication detail

Icelandic names and naming practice


  • Statistical Series
  • 26. February 2018
  • Vol 103, Issue 4
  • ISSN: 1670-4770


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The analysis of naming practice in Iceland shows e.g. that only 200 given names (eiginnöfn) account for the names of almost 80% of the male or female population, more than 35% of people less than 30 years old inherit some of their grandparents’ given names. This percentage is higher for older generations, over 8% of people less than 50 years old inherit some of their parents’ names, more often men than women. The percentage is about the same for older generations.
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