Heiðdís

Heiðdís is an Icelandic female given name of Old Norse origin. The name combines two Old Norse elements: heiðr, meaning "honour" or "brightness," and dís, meaning "goddess" or "female guardian spirit." Thus, the name can be interpreted as "goddess of honour" or "honoured goddess."

In Old Norse mythology and culture, the element dís (plural dísir) appears in several given names and often carries protective or numinous connotations; it is also closely related to terms like Disa or Dís. Names containing heiðr were likewise favored for their virtuous associations. The combination Heiðdís reflects the Norse tradition of constructing compound names that encode ideals or positive attributes.

Today, Heiðdís is a rare given name, primarily found in Iceland. It is not among the most common Icelandic female names, but it retains a classic Nordic character and has been recorded in modern usage, often chosen for its poetic meaning and connection to the Viking Age heritage.

• Meaning: "honour" + "goddess"
• Origin: Old Norse via Icelandic
• Type: first name, female
• Usage region: Iceland