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 Bjorns 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.

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