Guðnadóttir

Guðnadóttir is an Icelandic surname formed as a patronymic from the given name Guðni, with the suffix -dóttir meaning “daughter.” In Icelandic naming practice, -dóttir denotes a female child, while the masculine form is Guðnason. Because Icelandic names are typically patronymic rather than hereditary, Guðnadóttir is usually used by women and does not function as a fixed family surname in the way surnames do in many other cultures. International contexts may present Guðnadóttir as a last name, but locally it reflects the parent's given name.

The surname reflects Iceland’s broader naming culture, where individuals are commonly identified by their given name and a patronymic rather than a fixed surname. This system emphasizes immediate lineage from the father (or less commonly the mother) and changes with each generation.

Notable people with the surname include Hildur Guðnadóttir (born 1982), an Icelandic composer and cellist. Her score for the film Joker earned the Academy Award for Best Original Score at the 92nd Academy Awards (2020). She has also received critical acclaim for work on the television series Chernobyl, including an Emmy Award for the main title theme. Guðnadóttir’s international recognition highlights Iceland’s contributions to contemporary music and film scoring.