Some helpful feedback on here said that my top very Icelandic (i.e. not international) boys’ names were a bit nicknamey and juvenile sounding, which I actually agreed with, it was a good point (they were Gylfi and Orri btw). Trouble is that the stronger sounding ones tend to have more pronunciation problems for non-Icelandic-speakers and not travel as well. These are a few that are a bit more robust, I think Can you say them, do you like them? I’ve mentioned a few before on these forums, so sorry about that, if you already said what you thought no need to repeat yourself!
Haraldur
(Icelandic [name_m]Harold[/name_m], could be [name_u]Harri[/name_u] to English people, I’m wary because the more common nn here is [name_f]Halli[/name_f] which I dislike, also I’m not certain the full name pronunciation would transfer well)
Ingimar
(A longstanding favourite, a rare gem in that it’s very Icelandic but I think v. easy to pronounce, nice nn Ingi)
Leifur
(As in Leifur [name_f]Eir[/name_f]íksson. [name_m]Lay[/name_m]-vur, I think people are familiar with [name_m]Leif[/name_m], the more modern form used in Scandinavia? I’ve heard people say [name_u]Leaf[/name_u] though which bugs me, would people say Leafer?)
Þorgils / Thorgils
(Easy to say, but special character problems, most people are baffled by Þ, not quite sure whether it would be a problem to change it to Th for use in English. I love nns Þorri and Gilsi, also it’s a family name. But Þ… argh, probably not the kindest option.)
These ones wouldn’t fit with mn [name_m]Karl[/name_m] so couldn’t be a first boy, but maybe keep for second boy if we ever get that far.
Bjartur
(Basically cognate of [name_u]Bert[/name_u], means bright. J is like in fjord. I love this for its literary associations and meaning, but think it might be a bit of a mouthful. Too rhymey with [name_m]Karl[/name_m] I think)
Kjartan
(Another longstanding favourite of mine, and the name of a saga-hero (the most handsome man to be born in Iceland they say!). Maybe a bit tricky to pronounce, though. It is supposed to rhyme with tartan, and the j is like in fjord. I wouldn’t do the alliteration with [name_m]Karl[/name_m])
Sævar
(First syllable like sigh, don’t think that’s obvious at all, is it? Easy to say, but confusing spelling. Is potentially possible with [name_m]Karl[/name_m] but Sævar [name_m]Karl[/name_m] is the name of a fashion designer and shop downtown, maybe not a problem… Would have to be Saevar for English people probably, more special character problems…)
Sverrir
(Really like this name, but is it too much of a mouthful? Lots of r. Sverrir [name_m]Karl[/name_m] is too much like spherical for me.)
Sometimes I kind of think Icelandic is the nightmare language for multicultural naming… Multicultural naming in general is a pain because it narrows down your options extremely much. I’m kind of nervous to mix in differing tastes as well, think it’s going to be a real challenge once we actually get pregnant.
Most are on forvo for pronunciation checks if you’re interested: