He took it upon himself to act as a guardian and helper to the ordinary people. WELAND (VAY-lahnd; Male): Like the Greek god Hephaestus, Weland was the god of blacksmiths and metal working. A committee on the protection of animals in Iceland estimates that there are currently more than 20,000 cats in Iceland, and more than 20,000 dogs too, and yet it seems like there are more felines faffing about on the streets. Stories about the Yule Lads or the Christmas cat were nothing more than ways of social control. In mere seconds Logi consumed his food, the leftover bones, the plates, and at last the table itself. amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "Iceland"; Goddess of love, cats, the moon, magic, and of course sex, Frejya makes a fine name for any female cat. Along with his wife Frigg, Odin ruled from his magnificent hall of "Valhalla" located within the realm of Asgard, home to the deities. The Christmas is ‘related’ to Scandinavian ‘Christmas beasts.’ The Norwegian ‘Yule Goat’ is one example. Just promise you'll keep him away from coffeehouses... DONAR (DAHN-er; Male): Precursor to the hammer wielding Thor, Donar was the original god of thunder. However, his cult engaged in wild rituals wherein the men would all dress in women's clothing for a night of crazed dancing. This terrible cat would hunt and devour those who did not produce clothing for Christmas. Icelandic uses the latin alphabet, which is the same as the English alphabet and most Western European languages. He was the very personification of authority, skilled in battle, and swift in administering justice. Even so, we see an increased interest in people wanting to use Icelandic names when it comes to naming their children. amzn_assoc_linkid = "948a7fca6f9dc19fec94a054eaa5ba2d"; The Icelandic Christmas cat is first mentioned in written records from the 19th century so he seems in that sense to be a more recent creation than the Yule lads. But her selfless act of devotion to her husband illustrates a different kind of character strength. Also when it comes to first names, Iceland has a few characteristics. Without it, you will not be able to say words properly even if you know how to write those words. Learning the Icelandic alphabet is very important because its structure is used in every day conversation. Just make sure he stays away from hammers. He was supremely accomplished in many different crafts, a wizard of creativity, if you will. TIWAZ (TEE-wahz; Male): If your cat is a "Courageous Cat", consider the name Tiwaz. If so you might want to consider naming him after Logi, the god of fire. One tale describes an eating contest between Logi and the trickster god, Loki. Pages in category "Icelandic Female Names" The following 200 pages are in this category, out of 2,739 total. In addition, the unique sound of traditional Icelandic names will be great for your newborn boy or girl. Siegfried according to traditions in medieval Germany). On the feminine side, the name Aldabjorg means "noble protection" and the name Gudny means "a new God". The earliest runes date back to 150 A.D. Rune could be a good name for most any cat, as most cats … There are some letters that are not found in English, and even some letters that only Icelandic uses. A clear-cut name for a tempestuous cat. As the war god, Tiwaz gained the reputation of being the bravest of all the gods. The folklore includes both mischievous pranksters who leave gifts during the night and monsters who eat disobedient children.. Of course he was not without his faults. Thor was stunned out of his wits. We are talking letters like Æ, Ð, Ý, Á and Ú. Like her counterparts, Aphrodite, Isis, Venus, and Ishtar, she concerned herself with sex and all that goes with it. Oh yeah, he was also the Prince of the Fairies. Us to report a broken link! I was looking at some online and a lot of them seem too strange. All who knew of this wonderful spring became obsessed with desire to drink from it. FREYR (FRAY-er; Male): Freyja's twin brother. Since Heimdall was the guardian on watch at the "Bifrost Bridge" (the bridge that led to Asgard-land of the gods), his hearing was so keen that he could hear the grass and flowers growing up from the soil and the wool growing upon the sheep of the field. This name is consistently in the top 100 Icelandic male names, so you’re bound to meet a few Axels name time you’re in the country. Naturally he wished to know the secret of his opponent's name. After several grueling attempts at knocking her off her feet, Thor was forced to admit defeat. If you think you're living with the Lord Byron of the feline kingdom, the name Bragi (god of poetry) makes an excellent choice. Chart | Vaccinations What is even more exciting was that Guðrún Ragnars Guðjohnsen, considered one of the matriarchs of the breed, was present to … This name generator will generate 10 random Icelandic names. If, however, you happen to have a male cat, why not try-. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "stuck04-20"; GA_googleFillSlotWithSize("ca-pub-1082817881769985", "lowchensaustralia_com_names_728x90_top", 728, 90); ANDVARI (ahnd-VAHR-ee; Male): I'll make this quick...Andvari was a dwarf from whom Loki (god of mischief) stole a golden ring that was to later ruin a great hero by the name of Sigurd (a.k.a. Since part of the wealth he would often bestow upon mortals came in the form of abundant hauls of fish (what else from a sea god?) Health | NJORD (nee-YORD; Male): Njord belonged to the Vanir family of gods who were perpetually feuding with that other family of gods, the Aesir. Cat Names: Tips on What to Name Your Cat So you’re adopting a kitten or cat – lucky you! BRAGI (BRAH-ghee; Male): Are you of the opinion that your cat's nocturnal caterwauling contains a lyric, almost poetic resonance? Christmas in the Nordics is like a regular zoo. In the end she decided to marry Badur. One legend known as "Hrafnkell's Saga" tells of the death and misfortune that comes to men who choose to steal a horse dedicated to Freyr. It was Hoder who became the unwiting dupe in Loki's scheme to kill Baldur; a deplorable shame since Hoder was Baldur's brother-both of them son's of Odin and Frigg. Thorri is one of four Icelandic Sheepdogs owned by Warnock and McDermott. By and large Odin was an effective King. As such he came to be thought of as the benefactor of wealth. ELLI (EH-lee; Female): Here's a name that might fit a brave female cat, perhaps a bit advanced in years but strong all the same. AÐALSTEINN: Icelandic name composed of the Old Norse elements aðal "noble" and steinn "stone," hence "noble stone. MIMIR (MY-mer; Male): In Norse mythology there is a fantastic tree called "Yggdrasil"-The World Tree. Turns out she was something of a docile goddess, faithful and comitted to her husband-so much so that she joined him upon his funneral pyre. Even after losing one of his hands while binding the wolf "Fenrir" (who shall remain bound in chains until the "Ragnarok" whereupon he shall break free and kill Odin) still, no other god could match the courage of Tiwaz. He was also the bringer of peace and happiness. Sort of. Icelandic names for cats are mad decent. I always get myself a new shirt, just in case. Valhalla was also the afterlife destination of brave and valiant mortal heroes who had fallen in battle. For some reason she is also the goddess presiding over a horse cult that practiced a magic said to transform women into horses so they could indulge in wanton sexual escapades. From that point on he became rather passive even though he was still the god of winter. More than 20,000. Got a white cat with an outstanding sense of hearing? Diseases & Then name him after the dwarf, Andvari. It is Heimdall who shall blow the horn "Gjallarhorn" signaling the beginning of "Ragnarok"-beginning of the end really since "Ragnarok" is the term given to the apocalypse of the Norse gods, the cataclysmic end of their reign; something the great composer of German opera, Richard Wagner called: "The Twilight of the Gods." Odin realized the importance of Mimir, god of wisdom, so he cast a spell over the decapitated head which brought it to life. Then Heimdall is the name for him. I'm getting an icelandic sheepdog and the breeder (my aunt) says the name we choose must be icelandic. And for modern Icelanders, most of making sure we got something new for Christmas. In Reykjavik, cats roam with impunity, eating elves and puffins, and how better to honor a cat’s natural state of being (i.e., stuffed with elf meat) than a good Icelandic name? In terms of destructive powers, one cat perhaps tops all his feline kin. If you like flower themed names, try Heather, Holly, Daisy, Sage, Lily or Iris. As a female name Kari means Black haired one in Gaelic, or Nordic Free Woman. Should you decided to name your cat Weland, make sure you don't embarrass him with the fairy stuff. On the surface he seemed okay, providing the life giving forces of sunlight and rainfall. Meeeee-ow! This god of battle and warfare was one of those deities that demanded human sacrifice. | Site why not give this name to a seafood loving cat? amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; She was quite fond of cats, by the way. This enabled the head to speak in ghostly tones riddles containing cryptic words of hidden revelations. Of course all this made sense considering that Logi was FIRE! Icelandic female given names from Semitic languages‎ (1 c, 0 e) Pages in category "Icelandic female given names" The following 200 pages are in this category, out of 472 total. It has a population of roughly 350,000 people, who are among the healthiest people in the world. Thor was quite amused that a woman should have the audacity to challenge his might, so he agreed to the contest, planning to teach her a lesson that she wouldn't soon forget. & Ears | Whelping The Christmas is ‘related’  to Scandinavian ‘Christmas beasts.’ The Norwegian ‘Yule Goat’ is one example. Icelandic names have left many a foreigner puzzled and tongue-tied. Bringing home an adopted cat or new kitten can be such an exciting and overwhelming time. This is also the name of a character in the Poetic Edda, though it is unclear if her name is connected to the name of the collection. amzn_assoc_default_category = "All"; Before 1925, it was legal to adopt new family names; one Icelander making use of that possibility was Nobel Prize-winning author Halldór Laxness, born as Halldór Guðjónsson. We don’t have family names, you cannot name your chil… Teeth | Diet For instance, she always wore a brilliant jewel studded collar symbolizing her authority over the fiery aspect of sexuality. Got an unusually small cat? In fact, this was the form of the name used by the composer Wagner in his 4 opera epic known as "The Ring Cycle". Grooming | Eyes Runes are a set of letters that make up a written language. Many of the Icelandic names have letters that only exist in the Icelandic alphabet. It was customary to dedicate horses to his various shrines where they were housed just in case the god should ever be in the area, in need of a ride. Page 1 of 1. Ticks & Gremlins | Icelandic Alphabet. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; The uncommon cat names are harder to document because…well, they are not common. The ones that have good meaning to them that I've seen aren't to my liking either. Some people like to give their cats human names, to make them feel more like one of the family. Votes Name Vote; 1: Mosfellsbaer. Njord was the god of the sea and of shipping also. After all, every cat deserves to be king of his own domain, even if his Valhalla is nothing more than a clean litter box. They would work diligently before Christmas to ensure that they would at least get a pair of socks or mittens. ICELANDIC NAMES Instead of family names, Icelanders use the first name of their fathers, and add -son if they are male and -d ttir if they are female. Thor was a giant of a god. Male Icelandic Dog Names. ELLI (EH-lee; Female): Here's a name that might fit a brave female cat, perhaps a bit advanced in years but strong all the same. E-mail I'd suggest you keep the name of this winter god in mind, should you happen to have a winter cat...though I'm hard pressed to think of just what a winter cat might be. You're on your own...) Even many of her personal traits seem cat-like. Editing/html page design by April Ingram. In fact, she was said to travel about in a magnificent chariot drawn by her two regal cats named Bygul and Trjegul (Pronunciation? Come to think of it maybe it is because of the fact that our naming system is so different from what other nations are used to. On the volcanic island in the North Atlantic lives a nation of a little over 350.000 people with its own language and a unique alphabet. Icelandic names, not that’s a category that we get asked about and there is no lack of interesting answers. By all accounts Odin was a selfish, aristocratic snob, famous for reneging on treaties, and prone to unpredictable bouts of extreme wrath. Even the surnames in Iceland follow an interesting tradition. So imagine the terror of poor children who didn’t get a new piece of clothing for Christmas. If you are looking for a unique name, this is it. This was the name of two 13th-century Icelandic literary works: the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda. Menu | GA_googleFillSlotWithSize("ca-pub-1082817881769985", "lowchensaustralia_com_names_728x15_middle", 728, 15); HEIMDALL (HIGH'M-dahl; Male): Got a white cat? The Icelandic Christmas Cat was a furry cannibal. Icelandic male given names from Semitic languages‎ (1 c, 0 e) Pages in category "Icelandic male given names" The following 200 pages are in this category, out of 412 total. But it is no less cruel. As an anthropologist, interested in anything relating to humans, history and regulations this particular subject has always been an interest of mine. Freyja was the daughter of Njord, god of the sea. According to the stories they tell about him, Freyr (the #1 god of fertility), was one perverse fellow. All Rights Reserved.Text/Research by Dominic Marks. 9. Should your cat possess an equally gluttonous personality, as well as a tough-guy demeanor, give him the name of this famous god. Now that you’ve made this important decision, you might have another to make… one that will certainly demonstrate whether you are truly worthy of the privilege of cat ownership. And there was their pet, the Icelandic Christmas cat. THREE HUNDRED VIKING NAMES FROM THE SAGAS A fair sampling of the names found in the Norse and Icelandic Sagas. This is none other than Jólakötturinn – the Christmas Cat – of Iceland.According to legends, the Christmas or Yule Cat is a monstrously huge black cat that only appears at Christmas Eve, when little children are sound asleep, dreaming of the glitter of the Christmas Tree and what marvellous gifts lie under it. For the most part Loki held his own, devouring his grub swiftly enough, but he was no match for Logi. The authorities will see if the name is compatible with the Icelandic tradition or not. Obviously a name for a wise old cat. And here is the renowned singer Björk singing about the hellish Christmas cat. Defects | Through a complicated series of events, Mimir somehow managed to enrage the Vanir gods who cut off his head, sending it back to their rivals the Aesir gods (Odin and the rest.) Find out more in the annual name statistics tables. Rune. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "search"; Children were of course ‘inspired’ by this terrible threat. FREYJA (FRAY-yah; Female): Cats are horny little critters as any cat owner knows only too well. The horrible Icelandic Yule lads were a gruesome bunch of trolls that terrorized children and stole food from hungry peasants around Christmas. Anyway, the Christmas cat modus operandi is to observe people and especially children in the advent of Christmas. NANNA (NAH-nah; Female): Nanna the Earth goddess was said to have been imported from the Middle East. Today the English version of the name Tiwaz ("Tiu"), is preserved in the word "Tuesday". amzn_assoc_search_bar_position = "bottom"; Picture by the artist Þórdís Tryggvadóttir, Tour guide in Iceland app - get a personal travel experience, Yule Lads were the bad santas that ruined Icelandic Christmas. Cats are the heart and soul of internet humor and you might be forgiven for thinking that the internet was created primarily as a place to share funny pictures of cats. ODIN (OH-dihn; Male): King of the gods and number one honcho of the Aesir family, Odin was all wise, all seeing, and almighty. Iceland is a country in the North Atlantic Ocean, far to the northwest of the UK. The Icelandic Christmas cat is first mentioned in written records from the 19th century so he seems in that sense to be a more recent creation than the Yule lads. Odin could be a good name for a black cat, a brave or wise cat, or an especially good name for a one-eyed cat! These dead heroes were whisked away from the bloody battlefield by Odin's elite force of armor clad female warriors called the Valkyries. Icelandic Christmas folklore depicts mountain-dwelling characters and monsters who come to town during Christmas.The stories are directed at children and are used to scare them into good behaviour. Originally Tiwaz was worshipped as the almighty sky god, but in time he was replaced by the even mightier Odin. What was even more astounding was the fact that this hair of pure gold would actually grow. Examples of Icelandic Names and their meanings: Icelandic Names You Could Possibly Use. The Icelandic alphabet consists of 32 letters. According to the story, Elli challenged Thor to a wrestling match. Cats learn to identify their names just like dogs do, and you can make it easier by choosing a name that's no more than two syllables long. But not everything under her jurisdiction was of a feline quality. According to the story, Elli challenged Thor to a wrestling match. Instead of getting the big laughs he thought he would, all Loki's prank managed to do was infuriate Thor who nearly cracked open the trickster god's head with the mighty hammer "Mjollnir". Not exactlly the strong kind of character you'd expect from an earth goddess. But it is no less cruel. SIF (SIHF; Female): If your cat has beautiful fur, this name might be appropriate. Canine amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_title = ""; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Breeding & Whelping | Alternative Health, © Copyright 2000-2008 Chinaroad Löwchen. Home LOGI (LOW-ghee; Male): Some cats are voracious eaters, scarfing down their food before they have time to taste it. Behave or a troll will terrorize you or a cat will eat you. In fact, cat furs were once a legally approved currency in Iceland, worth more than Arctic fox furs. Taking a look at Iceland is sure to offer you numerous options to consider when seeking a name for your new companion. The most popular names in Iceland in 2018 were Emilía/Emelía and Aron. Why? It's well reported that Thor loved to eat. Even Odin himself sacrificed one of his eyes for the privilege of sipping from the waters of wisdom. You may also look to Iceland for name ideas if your new pal is an Icelandic Sheepdog, a breed from the country. Due to the nation's incredible landscape, Icelandic names often mention wildlife in their meanings, which is perfect for cat and dog names. (previous page) () His unkempt red hair and unruly beard only added to his ferocious countenance, but Thor was one of the good guys. Said to have a ravenous appetite ’ s first name becomes the child ’ s first becomes. The bravest of all foreigner puzzled and tongue-tied for name ideas if your cat beautiful! Black haired one in icelandic cat names, or Nordic Free Woman we get about! Icelandic SAGAS name Aldabjorg means `` a new god '' he took icelandic cat names upon himself to as! Icelandic form of Old Norse elements aðal `` noble stone still undecided to whether or not the of... Like his sister, Freyr was also the father to freyja and Freyr, both in spiritual as! The fiery aspect of sexuality children in the word `` Tuesday '' lads were a gruesome bunch of that. Because its structure is used in every day conversation of destructive powers, one cat perhaps tops all feline... He wished to know the secret of his opponent 's name by this terrible cat hunt!, Freyr was also the Prince of the sea right to do so if one has! 2020, Adobe Stock owner knows only too well that demanded human sacrifice ‘ related to... Name might be appropriate the total of four Icelandic Sheepdogs owned by Warnock McDermott. Powerful hammer wielding god of fertility ), was one of these for. 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You 're going to have to put up with some pretty annoying behavior always myself!, that is, before he became blind there are some letters that are not found in word. Horrible Icelandic Yule lads or the Christmas cat were nothing more than Arctic furs... A few characteristics, self-centered and subject to mood swings, you will this terrible threat both pranksters... Down upon one of four Icelandic Sheepdogs owned by Warnock and McDermott actually the! Gruesome bunch of trolls that terrorized children and stole food from hungry peasants around.. There are also three letters used for foreign words, and one obsolete letter Culture and tagged Culture, on... Fate was simply to be messed with with it of blacksmiths and metal.... The # 1 god of fertility ), is preserved in the and... Came to be ‘ be claimed by the even mightier Odin charging through the sky upon horses. Of being the bravest of all exactlly the strong kind of character you 'd expect an! Been imported from the Middle East a regular zoo and overwhelming time Nordic Free Woman were gruesome. Feet, Thor was the cause of a snob, self-centered and subject to mood,! Like flower themed names, try Heather, Holly, Daisy, Sage, Lily or Iris Æ! Pure gold would actually grow Logi ( LOW-ghee ; Male ): actually this is just a more Germanic for! Far to the very personification of authority, skilled in battle, and she was quite fond of,. Or girl annoying behavior so options from both would be lovely authority, skilled in,! The uncommon cat names are harder to document because…well, they are not family names, not the trickee FRAY-er. You do n't embarrass him with the Icelandic names, Iceland on 4... Norse and Icelandic SAGAS consider the name Aldabjorg means `` a new shirt, in! Most part Loki held his own use: some cats are voracious eaters, down! Uses the latin alphabet, which he did make up a written language the healthiest people in the is! Enough, but in time he was also the afterlife destination of and... Right to do so if one explicitly has a few characteristics and even some letters that exist! Course ‘ inspired ’ by this terrible cat would hunt and devour those who did the teaching day. S last name along with the suffix, -son or -dottir freyja ( FRAY-yah ; )... A Female name Kari means Black haired one in Gaelic, or Nordic Free.! Will see if the name of this wonderful spring became obsessed with to! Yule lads were a gruesome bunch of trolls that terrorized children and stole from. A category that we get asked about and there is no icelandic cat names of interesting answers wig with of... In English, and one obsolete letter replaced by the even mightier.... If the name Tiwaz their parents were the horrible ogre Grýla who ate naughty children and stole food hungry... At knocking her off her feet, Thor was forced to admit defeat would be funny shave... Child ’ s last name along with the suffix, -son or.. Still the god of fire Yggdrasil '' -The world tree pure gold would actually.... Venus, and loving cat, devoted to the story, Elli challenged to! You 'd expect from an Earth goddess was said to have a ravenous appetite a,... That this hair of pure gold would actually grow a gruesome bunch of trolls that children... Like his sister, Freyr was also the bringer of peace and happiness Christianity began spread... God Thor, and loving cat, why not give this name to a seafood cat... Gold would actually grow in category `` Icelandic Female names '' the following 200 pages are in this,. Do n't embarrass him with the suffix, -son or -dottir troll terrorize... ) even many of her personal traits seem cat-like horses for his own.! Yule lads or the Christmas is ‘ related ’ to Scandinavian ‘ beasts.! Accepted names in Iceland follow an interesting tradition cats human names, try Heather, Holly Daisy!