Mannanöfn

Mannanöfn is an Icelandic term referring to given names, essentially personal first names. In Iceland, like in many other cultures, individuals are given one or more given names at birth. These names can be traditional Icelandic names, names borrowed from other languages, or more recently, names that have been newly created, provided they adhere to Icelandic naming conventions.

Iceland has a unique and strict naming law, the "Nafnalög," which governs the selection and registration of names. This law aims to preserve the Icelandic language and ensure that names fit the cultural and linguistic framework of the country. Names must be grammatically correct in Icelandic, contain only letters from the Icelandic alphabet (with some exceptions for older or recognized foreign names), and be clearly identifiable as either masculine or feminine. Parents must submit proposed names to the personal names register at the National Registry for approval before they can be legally used.

The tradition of patronymic or matronymic surnames is also a significant aspect of Icelandic personal identification. Instead of inheriting a family surname, an Icelandic person's last name is typically derived from their father's or mother's given name, followed by "-son" for males and "-dóttir" for females. Therefore, mannanöfn play a dual role, serving as the primary identifier and also forming the basis of the patronymic/matronymic surname. This system highlights the importance of the individual's first name within the broader Icelandic naming structure.