Wolf in place names

  • Svavar Sigmundsson Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33112/ordogtunga.22.8
Keywords: place names, wolf

Abstract

The article deals with the place name úlfr ‘wolf’ in Iceland and Faroe Islands. There is no evidence that the species has ever existed in Iceland, and the most likely
explanation for the use of the word in farm names is that they refer to a person. Also, in names of rivers, it is possible that first part úlfr refers to some sort of danger caused
by nature.

Author Biography

Svavar Sigmundsson, Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies

Research professor emeritus

 

Published
2020-06-30
Issue
Vol 22 (2020): Orð og tunga 22
Section
Non-refereed Short Papers

Copyright (c) 2020 Author

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