Why Iceland and Greenland Are Misnamed

Iceland’s name can be confusing, because it wasn’t meant to describe the land.

Early Norse settlers named it Ísland after seeing ice along the coast during winter.

At the same time, they called a much harsher place Greenland, partly as a strategy to attract settlers.

Ironically, Iceland has green valleys and farmland, while Greenland is mostly ice.

Two names, chosen for perception rather than reality... and they stuck.