Erlendur

Erlendur is a masculine given name of Icelandic origin. It is rooted in Norse naming traditions and is primarily used in Iceland, with occasional usage in other Nordic countries. The exact etymology is debated, but the name is generally treated as a traditional Norse personal name.

In popular culture, Erlendur Sveinsson is the best-known bearer. He is a fictional Reykjavík detective in a crime fiction series by Icelandic author Arnaldur Indriðason. The character is a veteran investigator with a troubled past, and his cases often weave police procedure with themes of memory, family, and Icelandic society. The series began in the early 2000s with Jar City (Mýrin), and the stories have been adapted for film as Jar City.

Beyond fiction, Erlendur is also used as a real given name within Icelandic communities, reflecting the country’s Norse linguistic heritage. Related names in the Nordic region include Erlend and Erland, which appear in other languages and cultures.