See the results of this poll: Which would you pick in my situation?
Respondents: 31 (This poll is closed)
- Svala ”sabel : 22 (71%)
- Svala Þórunn : 8 (26%)
- Something else (please specify!): 1 (3%)
I love Svala [name_f]Isabel[/name_f]! It’s interesting that in Iceland they pronounce it just like we do in Portuguese and Spanish. A wonderful name!
I’m curious to know what the meaning of Svala is, though! Very unique.
It is the Icelandic word for swallow (the bird). It is not really unique here, although it is also not really common. Sort of middle-of-the-pack, I guess!
I chose Svala ”sabel for the meaning it holds to you although I do love the sound of Svala Þórunn (and possibly prefer it soundwise) - just out of interest, how often would a middle name be used in Iceland? (as in, would it just be used on forms etc. or when referring to the person? [name_m]Just[/name_m] because I had a vague thought you or someone may have mentioned that they are used a lot more often than in [name_f]England[/name_f] for instance, but that could be just complete conjecture on my part - sorry, just curious!)
Svala ”sabel is great.
I also like Svala [name_f]El[/name_f]ín.
I like the way the sounds of Svala Þórunn blend together, it’s a nice mix and the choice I would pick. I wouldn’t say Svala [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] is unusable because of it being a variant or your cousin having used it though. Ultimately it’s up to you to decide how much those factors bother you and weigh them against your motivation to use a honoring name.
You’re right, middle names are used a lot more commonly in Iceland. In fact, a true middle name is something else entirely over here, and our children will definitely not have ‘millinöfn’ in the Icelandic sense. I only talk about middle names because that’s how most people understand it. In Iceland it is more like you have two first names! So it is basically impossible to have a ‘secret’ middle name and they are not just for forms.
[name_m]How[/name_m] commonly they are actually used depends on the individual though, and who is talking. Svala is not a particularly common name, so it probably wouldn’t need differentiating from other Svalas (although it may), so in day to day life realistically she would probably usually be just Svala. But still the second name would not just be for forms. Like, for example a kid’s birthday cake would always say “[name_f]Happy[/name_f] Birthday [name_f]Anna[/name_f] [name_m]Krist[/name_m]ín”, not just “[name_f]Happy[/name_f] Birthday [name_f]Anna[/name_f]”. My [name_f]MIL[/name_f] always uses both names for everyone a lot, so she would definitely say it for one! I don’t think she knows my middle name or she would probably try and do it on me as well!
The Prime Minister, e.g., is always referred to as Sigmundur Davíð, never just Sigmundur, although probably his friends just call him Sigmundur or Siggi, I don’t know. Another politician is known as Steimgrímur J., where the J stands for Jóhann, so that’s an option for anyone who doesn’t like their second name. There probably are people who have second names but choose not to use them regularly or in their professional lives, but I don’t think it’s very common, and a lot of people are regularly referred to with both names even by friends. However, a large proportion of people only have one name, it’s by no means everyone who even has two names.
Er, so to sum up: Close friends and family would, in most but not all situations, probably only use the first name. People who are not on such close terms would probably use both names in most situations - also if your name was used in any public, official, formal or professional capacity.
My vote is for Svala Þórunn. I love and have always loved nordic/scandinavian names and this combination is simply amazing, it has that a bit ‘heavy’ feel that i admire, sounds so solid and elegant, yet absolutely fitting for a young girl.
Pretty name!! Þórunn is absolutely gorgeous, I voted for it!!
I like Svala ”sabel because it has meaning to you, and the name as a whole represents a subtle blend of English & Icelandic which I think is accurate and important for her to have. I agree with you that Svala Þórunn flows better, and it probably sounds better, but I would only go with Svala Þórunn if you’re certain she’s going to grow up as a purely Icelandic girl. If you intend that she have an identity that includes your culture/country/family root then I think Svala ”sabel is a great way to express that.
This, I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Svala ”sabel got my vote. I think she’s lovely – looks and sounds great, honors someone special and works really well where you live. I don’t think it means any less at all to give your daughter your mothers name when your cousin has too. To you and little Svala it will always be special, and that’s what matters most.
I voted Svala [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] because it holds a lot of personal meaning to you.
I terms of the aesthetics, Svala Þórunn, for sure! I think it has the loveliest flow of the two (when said in Danish, at least) and I have always had a weakness for the thorn character (dedicated Þórhanna and Þórhildur lover over here) 
I do love the reason behind ”sabel though and I feel like ”sabel might mean more to you than Þórunn – and in that case, I think that’s what you ought to go for. Svala is an Icelandic name, so I think that using a name from your side of the family is wonderful. Svala ”sabel is also absolutely gorgeous, I really like how it looks and I love the way you pronounce ”sabel in Iceland – very similar to how we pronounce it 
I feel a bit wary about suggesting you names because you already have to great middle names, but if you want something close to [name_f]Isobel[/name_f]/”sabel, I adore ”sold.
That’s fun, and probably a matter of pronunciation from country to country, because Svala Þórunn far exceeds Svala ”sabel in terms of flow when I say them both out loud. Where Þórunn edges off Svala nicely, ”sabel clashes a bit with the -la. But obviously both are beautiful names regardless.