For much of recorded history, Icelanders were few in number and lived far from other nations in the North Atlantic. Life meant facing cold winds, scarce resources, and long distances—conditions that shaped a resilient, tight‑knit society that valued cooperation and self‑reliance.
- Make sure to read What is an Icelander?
- Discover the city and culture of Iceland on a 24hr Reykjavik City Card
- Get a taste of Iceland on this Walking and Food Tour in Reykjavik
Icelandic Myths
These natural and social circumstances proved fertile ground for storytellers, giving rise to the Sagas and a rich folklore of elves, trolls, and hidden people. While such tales remain a vivid part of national heritage, modern surveys indicate only a small minority say they definitely believe in elves, with many more saying it might be possible—so the tradition today is as much cultural as it is credence.
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Modern Icelanders
Reykjavík’s annual Culture Night (Menningarnótt) is a city‑wide, free festival held each August to mark the capital’s birthday—drawing residents and visitors into streets, museums, and parks from midday through evening with a fireworks finale. In 2025, for example, it took place on Saturday, August 23, from 12:00–22:00, with fireworks at Arnarhóll.
Today, Icelanders are generally welcoming and community‑minded, with strong participation in cultural life and a deep connection to nature. Visitors are encouraged to join respectfully—and to leave the landscape as they found it.
Who Icelanders are today
- Population and diversity: Iceland’s population was 391,810 at the end of Q2 2025; about 64% live in the Capital Region. Immigrants made up 18.2% of residents on 1 January 2024.
- Language and literature: Icelandic remains the everyday language, with the medieval sagas still widely read and celebrated as a cornerstone of identity.
- Names and identity: Most Icelanders use patronymic or matronymic surnames (e.g., Jónsdóttir, Guðmundsson). The Personal Names Register governs new given names, and since 2019, people registered as non‑binary may use the gender‑neutral suffix –bur (e.g., Jónsbur).
- Energy and environment: Nearly all electricity in Iceland is generated from renewable sources—primarily hydropower and geothermal—a point of pride that aligns with strong environmental ambitions.
Today, our peaceful and hospitable people welcome visitors from all corners of the world to join in the gleeful adoration of magic and nature. Please treat us kindly.
Text by Magnus Bjorn Olafsson.
Now see where Icelanders came from or what an Icelander is like.
