It took us a while, but I’ve think we’ve pretty much settled on a first name for our son due in [name_u]November[/name_u]: [name_m]Baltasar[/name_m]. It’s a family name for SO that has been passed down for generations, mostly as a middle name. It’s also not uncommon in my own culture, and it seems like the perfect fit.
Now we have to find a middle name to go with it. To me the middle names is almost as important as the first name, because where I grew up a middle name is more like a “second first name” and is used more often than in other countries.
We agree that we want the middle name to be Icelandic, and softer sounding than [name_m]Baltasar[/name_m]. It also shouldn’t be too long. I’d also love it to have a nature meaning, since Hjörturs name means deer, it would be a great way to connect both names. Below is our list so far. I know you’re unfamiliar with most of these names, but I hope you can tell me which one you’d like best a middle name for [name_m]Baltasar[/name_m]. I’ve included meaning and pronunciation.
Óli (pr. [name_u]Ollie[/name_u]) - our top runner at the moment. It refers to one of baby’s godfathers, named Ólafur. The nature meaning is a bit of a stretch with this one though, it could of course refer to the olive tree etc.
Hafni (hahf-nee), meaning harbor
Húni (hoo-nee), meaning bear cub. This is one of my favorites too.
Svani (svah-nee), meaning swan
Trausti (trus-tee): means trustworthy, so no nature meaning, but this would be honoring.
Dúnn (doon), meaning dune
There are countless Icelandic names with animal and nature meanings, a few more are Lundi (puffin), Otri (otter), Krummi (raven), Máni (moon), Holti (a small forest) Smári (white clover), Mosi (moss)… But the ones I’ve mentioned above are our favorites with [name_m]Baltasar[/name_m].
I love the lilting sounds of [name_m]Baltasar[/name_m] Óli! Plus, it has a nature connection and honours someone close to you. So Óli would be my top choice.
My second choice would be Húni. The meaning is adorable! I think Svani, Trausti and Dúnn are too harsh next to [name_m]Baltasar[/name_m].
I am not too familiar with names in Iceland, but I find many of these words to be very beautiful. I think the “i” ending of most of these middle name options fits well with [name_m]Baltasar[/name_m], but I also think a short middle name would pair well. For those reasons my favourites are [name_m]Baltasar[/name_m] Óli and Balasar Dúnn.
[name_m]Baltasar[/name_m] Óli, [name_m]Baltasar[/name_m] Dúnn, and [name_m]Baltasar[/name_m] Otri are my favorites! I think out of the 3, [name_m]Baltasar[/name_m] Dúnn would be my top choice though.
