Jákup and Jógvan have been topping the most popular men’s names list since 1985. Jógvan was the most popular men’s name up until 2002 when Jákup took over the top spot.  

Other names such as Rúni, Høgni, Ólavur and Kári have also featured highly on the list for many years. The only recent top 10 change is that Jónas replaced Eyðun in 2021. 

Comparing to 1992, we see some change, with Jan, Regin and John being replaced by Bárður, Martin and Magnus in the top 10.

Jónas skyrocketing up the list in 30 years

Jónas is the latest entry to the top 10 list of men’s names. Jónas has become the most popular men’s name this century, having climbed from 494th on the 1992 list to 9th in 2022 when there were 170 Jónases.

The only change from 2021 to 2022 in the top 10 is that Høgni and Bárður have swapped places.

Hanna and Lív among the most popular women’s names

The top 10 list of popular women’s names has not changed much since 1992. 
The most popular names of women residing in the Faroes on 1 January 2023 were Maria, Anna and Annika, followed by Katrin, Beinta, Marjun and Rannvá. 

Maria, Anna and Annika have been in the top 3 every year since 1995. Prior to 1995, Marjun featured regularly in the top 3. The top 10 names are mostly the same in 2022 as they were in 1992. The only change is that Súsanna has been replaced by Hanna and and Lív, who share 10th place in the 2022 list.

Although the list of popular names has not changed significantly since 1992, there has been a clear change in naming trends. Of the many new names have been added to the list, we find Silas, Lukas, Nóa, Liam, Aleksandur and Bragi.

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Many new women’s names have also emerged since 1992. These include Emilia, Alda, Ranja, Vón, Brá, Ria, Lý and Mira.

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Fewer parents use double names for their children these days. Only two double names – Anna Maria and Anna Sofía – appear in the top-100 list for pop

Read more on the names theme page or try our name search function