on the distinctive names of icelandic settlers.

While NorsePlay has commented on an exceptionally remarkable descriptive/deed name found in Sagas of Icelanders, only until we recently finished reading the Landnámabók (The Book of Settlements) did we realize that such name appellations were far less the rare exception. Perhaps in a land of multiple Thorgeirs and  Björns there needed to be some additional distinctions to set people apart.

[map of settlers' names represented by ships.] 

Yet there are also many descriptive names based almost solely on physical characteristics that may seem mean-spirited, though in a society where poetic skills are valued maybe such name-making was an unavoidable convention.

NorsePlay presents a sample list of names from the Landnámabók to increase the awareness of this practice:

Hergils Knob-Buttocks
Eystein Foul-Fart
Tongue-Odd
Mice-Bolverk
Thorarin the Evil
Hallgerd Twist-Breeks
Havard the Lame

Arnmod the Squint-Eyed

Bjorn Butter-Box

Hroald Spine

Thorvald Hollow-Throat

Thrain Black-Troll

Thorunn Blue-Cheek

Hamund Hell-Skin

Atli the Evil

Audun Nanny-Goat

Thorolf Creek-Nose

Thorstein Red-Nose

Audun the Rotten

Bersi the Godless

Gils Ship-Nose

Herjolf Bent-Arse

Thorir Troll

Ljot the Unwashed

Olaf Split-Brow

Thorir Dove-Nose

And by contrast, there are some formidable, amazing, & complimentary deed names:

Vemund Word-Master

Aud the Deep-Minded

Bjorn the Gold-Bearer

Eyvind Weapon

Hrodgeir the Wise

Ingolf the Strong

Leidolf the Champion

Dueller-Mani

Stein the Hard-Sailing

Thengil the Fast-Sailing

Thord the Tearer

Thorir Troll-Burster

Thorolf Hard-Grip

Also notably in modern times when Ásatrú started, many reconstructionists decided to take Heathen-styled names to reflect their dedication & rediscovery of the Old Gods. This practice has mostly fallen away, but some still enthusiastically do.

So dear readers, what would your Icelandic Settler name be? Do NorsePlay one up in your comment below.

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Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires' Norse Gods and Giants at age seven. Since then he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the Map of Midgard project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay. If you have employment/opportunities in investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer, do contact him.