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William Shakespeare had the right idea when he asked, “What’s in a name?” Ironically, Romeo Montague, the star-crossed lover who uttered those words, should have actually asked, “What’s in a last name?” as that was at the heart of his story. In fact, in most societies, a surname is the crux of a person’s identity, carrying with it traditions, origin, history, and meaning. But the passing down of surnames is oft unique. For example, the baby naming convention in Iceland is pretty fascinating if you’re not familiar with it. Unlike the way last names work generationally in the United States, Iceland (and other countries like Russia) places a different emphasis on familial ties when it comes to names. That being said, everyone in a family may not have the same surname, and that’s because of the way naming works. Let us break it down for you.