Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Week One Bonus - ANSWER

Iceland!

Icelanders don't really have last names, or a for sure one--they follow either a patronyml or matronyml naming system. They are given the suffix "son" on "dottir" to follow either their father or mother's last name (i.e. "son of" or "daughter of"). It has become common for both sons and daughters to take on the "son of" suffix. However, it was once common to take either. Since you couldn't be sure of their last name, you had to naturally refer to someone by their first, or given name! Once married, women also do not take their husband's last name. They keep their family name.

Interesting, huh? I sure thought so. Now we know why Bjork is, well, just Bjork.

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