President Halla Tómasdóttir’s decision to sign her name as “Halla Tomas” instead of using her full surname has sparked debate, with one language expert arguing that the omission is completely unjustified. The former Mayor of Reykjavík has called for a broader investigation into the signatures of public officials in Iceland.
John Hancock
After his grand and stylish signature on the United States Declaration of Independence, John Hancock became a colloquialism for a person’s signature. His famous autograph has, over time, overshadowed his political achievements.
In Iceland, another signature has recently attracted attention, not for its flourish or grandeur—but for what it leaves out.
As reported by Morgunblaðið, attendees at the Iceland Symphony Orchestra’s 75th-anniversary concert earlier this month were surprised to see President Halla Tómasdóttir sign her name in the concert programme as “Halla Tomas” instead of using her full name.
“Completely unjustified”
Morgunblaðið sought the opinion of language expert Guðrún Kvaran, who has chaired both the Icelandic Language Council and the Naming Committee. She expressed surprise at the president’s decision, calling the omission of her full surname ‘completely unjustified.
In response to Morgunblaðið’s enquiries, the President’s Office stated that Halla has used this signature for decades and chose to keep it unchanged after assuming the presidency. Guðrún Kvaran remained unconvinced. “I believe it is very important for Icelanders to write their names properly. She shouldn’t be ashamed of being someone’s daughter—she should simply write ‘Tómasdóttir,’” Guðrún maintained.
Guðrún also rejected the President’s claim that long-term use of the signature justified it. “That doesn’t make it any better. She was involved in international affairs, where ‘dóttir’ may have been inconvenient. But she lives in Iceland and is signing an Icelandic document. She should sign as ‘Halla Tómasdóttir’ and nothing else.”
“Gmmtnnnnm”
Halla’s signature choice has fueled a broader public debate.
Among those weighing in is Dagur B. Eggertsson, a Member of Parliament for the Social Democratic Alliance and former Mayor of Reykjavík, who shared his thoughts on Facebook. Rather than criticising the president, Dagur framed the media coverage in the context of the signature of Morgunblaðið’s editor, Davíð Oddsson.
“I greatly welcome Morgunblaðið’s decision to break the silence on the handwriting of public officials. The newspaper has clearly decided to begin with our esteemed president, Halla Tómasdóttir. Morgunblaðið is apparently unimpressed with her signature and wants her to change it,” Dagur remarked, referencing the coverage from the past two days.
He went on to suggest that the focus on Halla’s signature should mark the beginning of a broader series on the subject, redirecting attention to Davíð Oddsson, the former prime minister, central bank governor, and now editor of Morgunblaðið.
“I have long wanted an explanation for why the newspaper’s editor signs his name with something that resembles ‘Gmmtnnnnm’ rather than ‘Davíð Oddsson,’ as seen in various official documents. Here is an example from the first Icesave agreement, which the editor signed alongside then-Finance Minister Árni Mathiesen in the fall of 2008. IS THIS EVEN ALLOWED???” Dagur asked, sharing a screenshot as evidence.
