The Story Behind My Name...

Hi, Reader, when was the last time someone asked you about your name?

Our names are funny things. They give us an identity, of sorts, but the significance can vary wildly.

For some of us, our names—in particular our surnames—tell us what our ancestors did as a profession hundreds of years ago (think Thatcher, Dyer, Fletcher, etc.)

For others, our names are attached to us but have little historical connection as they were created to fit a culture we are (or our ancestors were) surrounded/dominated/colonized by. Sometimes, it’s a family member who chooses a name that is easier to say or spell in the country of residence. At other times, it’s the government that imposes names upon families because their real names are/were “too difficult” to assimilate.

When Icelanders immigrated to Canada and the USA, they became stuck with the patronymic name of the one who immigrated.

In my case, it was Jón Guttormsson, son of Guttormur, who brought his wife, Pálina Ketilsdóttir (daughter of Ketill), and son, Vigfús Jónsson (son of Jón), to Canada in 1875. They all took the name Guttormsson in the English-Canadian tradition. His son Vigfús (my great-great-grandfather) kept Jónsson as a middle name. Then, when his younger (and more famous) brother was born, they gave him the same naming convention: Guttormur Jónsson Guttormsson.

I’ve always been conscious of my last name as it's been mispronounced my whole life. I used to dread new teachers, awards nights, and any scenario where my name was called out in public. By now, I’m so used to it that it no longer bothers me. When you know what it means, the 11 letters and only 3 vowels become less intimidating.

Guttormsson (said Goo-torm’s son) literally means the son of Guttormur.

I’m so attuned to the mispronunciations of my name that when one of my favourite podcasters introduced a guest by fumbling the last name and saying “Gutter’s-men” I knew immediately the guest had the same last name as me.

The show notes confirmed the guest’s name was Guttormssen—the ‘en’ making him a likely descendant of Norwegians, not Icelanders. While we are not related in any way, I still felt a sort of kinship because my last name is not very common.

So, Reader, what is the story behind your name?

Until next week,

Natalie Guttormsson

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