Eiriksdóttir

Eiriksdóttir is a Icelandic patronymic name meaning “daughter of Eirík” or “daughter of Eiríkr,” the Icelandic form of the male given name Erik. In Icelandic naming conventions, patronymics are used rather than family surnames; a person's last name is derived from the first name of the father (or sometimes the mother). Women thus receive a suffix –dóttir, meaning “daughter,” while men receive –son, meaning “son.” Consequently, Eiriksdóttir is used exclusively by females whose father's given name is Eirík.

The use of Eiriksdóttir followed the medieval Icelandic tradition and remains common today. Unlike surnames in many other cultures, its frequency is variable but it is consistently found in Icelandic civil registration records and parish registries. Because the patronymic system prevents the creation of long-standing family surnames, Icelandic family histories rely on genealogical databases that trace relationships through these patronymic and matronymic identifiers.

Notable bearers of the patronymic include Eiriksdóttir, a contemporary Icelandic athlete, and several individuals active in literature and public life. In Iceland, the name is easily searchable on the national register (KÚAN) and media databases, illustrating how patronymics function both as personal identifiers and as living elements of cultural heritage.