Nafnnefnd
Nafnnefnd, literally "Name Committee" in Icelandic, is a public body charged with evaluating and approving names used for people and places within a jurisdiction. Its core aim is to ensure that names conform to linguistic norms, cultural expectations, and legal requirements, while respecting individual rights. The term is often used generically for any official naming authority; in Iceland the best-known national analogue is Mannanafnanefnd, the Icelandic Naming Committee, which assesses given names for compatibility with the language and tradition.
Typical functions include reviewing proposals for new given names for children, determining acceptable spellings and pronunciations,
Organizationally, these committees are usually composed of linguists, legal experts, civil registry officials, and cultural representatives.
The existence of a nafnefnd reflects a policy choice to support linguistic consistency and public record integrity,