Names of Iceland


There are numerous different names for Iceland, which have over the years appeared in poetry or literature.

In Icelandic

Many names have been used to refer to Iceland in the Icelandic language. These names include colloquial, formal, and poetic forms:Eylenda, fem. – island
  • : Stephan G. Stephansson
  • :: Fjarst í eilífðar útsæ
  • :: vakir eylendan þín.
  • ::: Far in the eternal yonder sea
  • ::: your island wakes.Fjalladrottning, fem. – queen of the mountain Fjallkonan, fem. with definite article—lady of the mountain Frón, neu. – old Norse word for land
  • : Heima á Fróni.Garðarshólmi, masc. – Iceland, named after Gardar SvavarssonHrímey, fem.Hrímgrund, fem.Hrímland, neu. – the book Crymogaea occasionally uses "Hrímland"Ísafold, neu.Ísaland, neu.
  • : ...og flykkjast heim að fögru landi Ísa.Ísland – Iceland's official and most common nameJökulmær, fem. – Young woman of the glacier, IcelandKlakinn, masc – literally the iceberg or the ice coverNorðurey, fem. – literally meaning "northern island" Skerið, neu – literally the skerrySnjóland, neu. – SnowlandSnæland, neu. – the name that the Viking Naddoddr reputedly gave to Iceland in the 9th century meaning "snow land"Thule, neu. – some scholars claim Iceland was the land of ThuleTýli, neu. – ThuleÞyli, neu. – Thule
Icelanders also have several nicknames for themselves, including Frónbúi or Frónverji and Landi .

In Latin

Iceland has prominently been called by three names in Latin:Islandia – directly from Icelandic language "Ísland"Snelandia – a Latinization of the more poetic name SnælandInsula Gardari – literally meaning "Island of Garðar", compare ''Garðarshólmi''

Other foreign languages