staður

Staður is an Icelandic noun meaning "place" or "stead." It is also used as a proper noun in its own right, appearing as the name of several small settlements in Iceland and as a common element in Icelandic place names.

Etymology and cognates: Staður derives from Old Norse staðr meaning "place, site, residence." The modern Icelandic form preserves the root with the suffix -ur. The plural form staðir refers to homesteads or farmsteads. The term is cognate with Danish sted and Norwegian sted, reflecting a shared Germanic heritage in Nordic toponymy.

Usage in language and geography: In everyday Icelandic, staður denotes a location or site and features in many compound place names. As a proper noun, Staður typically designates small rural communities or farms rather than larger towns. Because it is a generic term, it is interpreted from context when encountered in maps or historical records. The name is widely used in Icelandic geography, and there are multiple places named Staður across the country, illustrating its role as both a common noun and a toponym.

Toponymic role: As a toponym, Staður reflects the basic meaning of the word and underscores how Icelandic place names often build from simple, descriptive elements. The form staðir appears in various related names, indicating clustered or notable locations such as farms or homesteads.

See also: Toponymy of Iceland; Icelandic place names; Old Norse linguistics.