List of people from Reykjavík

This is a list of notable people who were born or have lived in Reykjavík, Iceland.

19th century

 * Jóhann Gunnar Sigurðsson (1882–1906), poet
 * Sigurjón Pétursson (1888–1955), wrestler
 * Tryggvi Þórhallsson (1889–1935), Prime Minister of Iceland from 1927 to 1932
 * Jóhannes Gunnarsson (1897–1972), prelate of the Roman Catholic Church
 * Engel Lund (1900–1996), Danish-Icelandic soprano

1901–1940



 * Ólafía Einarsdóttir (1924–2017), first Icelander to earn a degree in archaeology
 * Margrét Þorbjörg Thors Hallgrímsson (1902–1996), matriarch of one of the most powerful families in Iceland in the twentieth century
 * Halldór Laxness (1902–1998), writer
 * Bjarni Benediktsson (1908–1970), leader in the independence movement in Iceland
 * Gunnar Thoroddsen (1910–1983), Prime Minister of Iceland from 1980 to 1983
 * Baldur Möller (1914–1999), chess master
 * Áskell Löve (1916–1994), botanist
 * Louisa Matthíasdóttir (1917–2000), Icelandic-American painter
 * Jórunn Viðar (1918–2017), pianist and composer
 * Þorbjörg Pálsdóttir (1919–2009), sculptor
 * Drífa Viðar (1920–1971), writer, artist and educator
 * Albert Guðmundsson (1923–1994), first Icelandic professional football player
 * Geir Hallgrímsson (1925–1990), Prime Minister of Iceland (1974–1978) and mayor of Reykjavík (1959–1972)
 * Haukur Clausen (1928–2003), Olympic athlete
 * Örn Clausen (1928–2008), athlete
 * Steingrímur Hermannsson (1928–2010), politician
 * Magnus Magnusson (1929–2007), journalist, translator, writer and television presenter
 * Vigdís Finnbogadóttir (born 1930), President of Iceland from 1980 to 1996
 * Margrét Þóra Hallgrímsson (1930–2020), wife of the businessman Björgólfur Guðmundsson
 * Jón Gunnar Árnason (1931–1989), sculptor
 * Friðrik Ólafsson (born 1935), chess grandmaster
 * Jón Kristinsson (born 1936), Dutch architect
 * Álfrún Gunnlaugsdóttir (born 1938), writer
 * Ragnar Stefánsson (born 1938), seismologist and Professor of the University of Akureyri
 * Atli Heimir Sveinsson (1938–2019), composer

1941–1950



 * Björgólfur Guðmundsson (born 1941), chairman and former owner of West Ham United FC
 * María Guðmundsdóttir (born 1942), filmmaker, photographer and actress
 * Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir (born 1942), politician
 * Markús Örn Antonsson (born 1943), Mayor of Reykjavík from 1991 to 1994
 * Friðrik Klemenz Sophusson (born 1943), politician and company director
 * Björn Bjarnason (born 1944), politician
 * Pétur Blöndal (1944–2015), politician
 * Gunnar Kvaran (born 1944), cellist
 * Guðmundur Gunnarsson (born 1945), electrician and union leader
 * Einar Hákonarson (born 1945), artist
 * Bjarni Tryggvason (1945–2022), Canadian engineer and astronaut
 * Jakob Yngvason (born 1945), physicist
 * Ágúst Guðmundsson (born 1947), film director and screenwriter
 * Gunnar Hansen (1947–2015), Icelandic-American actor
 * Þórður Helgason (born 1947), writer and educationalist
 * Ólafur Haukur Símonarson (born 1947), playwright and novelist
 * Karl Sigurbjörnsson (born 1947), Lutheran bishop of Iceland
 * Guðmundur Sigurjónsson (born 1947), chess grandmaster
 * Þuríður Backman (born 1948), politician
 * Anna Svanhildur Björnsdóttir (born 1948), writer and educator
 * Elmar Geirsson (born 1948), footballer
 * Ari Trausti Guðmundsson (born 1948), geologist, author, documentarian, broadcaster, journalist, mountaineer and explorer
 * Ólafur Gunnarsson (born 1948), author and translator
 * Hrafn Gunnlaugsson (born 1948), film director
 * Ögmundur Jónasson (born 1948), politician
 * Davíð Oddsson (born 1948), politician and the longest-serving Prime Minister of Iceland
 * Ásta Ragnheiður Jóhannesdóttir (born 1949), politician
 * Þórarinn Eldjárn (born 1949), writer
 * Ágústína Jónsdóttir (born 1949), writer, artist and educator
 * Kristenn Einarsson (born 1950), Icelandic-Norwegian publisher
 * Steinunn Sigurðardóttir (born 1950), poet and novelist
 * Árni Þórarinsson (born 1950), writer

1951–1960



 * Sturla Gunnarsson (born 1951), Canadian film director
 * Geir Haarde (born 1951), politician
 * Jónína Bjartmarz (born 1952), politician
 * Edda Björgvinsdóttir (born 1952), actress, comedian, writer, director and motivational speaker
 * Sigurjón Sighvatsson (born 1952), film producer and businessman
 * Herbert Guðmundsson (born 1953), pop music singer-songwriter
 * Össur Skarphéðinsson (born 1953), politician
 * Friðrik Þór Friðriksson (born 1954), film director
 * Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir (born 1954), politician
 * Einar Már Guðmundsson (born 1954), author of novels, short stories and poetry
 * Jónína Leósdóttir (born 1954), novelist, playwright
 * Logi Ólafsson (born 1954), football coach
 * Kolbrún Halldórsdóttir (born 1955), politician
 * Einar Kárason (born 1955), writer
 * Jón Gunnarsson (born 1956), politician
 * Bubbi Morthens (born 1956), singer and songwriter
 * Helgi Ólafsson (born 1956), chess grandmaster
 * Halldór Guðmundsson (born 1956), author
 * Atli Eðvaldsson (born 1957), footballer
 * Hans Jóhannsson (born 1957), violin maker
 * Sigurður Gylfi Magnússon (born 1957), historian
 * Páll Guðlaugsson (born 1958), footballer and football coach
 * Jóhannes Helgason (born 1958), guitar player
 * Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson (born 1958), musician
 * Elísabet Jökulsdóttir (born 1958), author and journalist
 * Árni Mathiesen (born 1958), politician
 * Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir (born 1958), professor of art history, novelist, playwright and poet
 * Kjartan Ólafsson (born 1958), musicologist, composer
 * Eiríkur Hauksson (born 1959), heavy metal vocalist
 * Hallgrímur Helgason (born 1959), painter, novelist, translator and columnist
 * Æsa Sigurjónsdóttir (born 1959), art curator
 * Jón Loftur Árnason (born 1960), chess grandmaster
 * Jón Atli Benediktsson (born 1960), President of the Governing Council and Rector of the University of Iceland
 * Sigurður Einarsson (born 1960), economist, businessman
 * Guðmundur Guðmundsson (born 1960), handball player
 * Margeir Pétursson (born 1960), banker and chess grandmaster
 * Hannes Sigurðsson (born 1960), art historian

1961–1965



 * Arnaldur Indriðason (born 1961), writer of crime fiction
 * Gyrðir Elíasson (born 1961), author and translator
 * Arnór Guðjohnsen (born 1961), footballer
 * Lárus Guðmundsson (born 1961), footballer
 * Einar Örn Benediktsson (born 1962), singer
 * Ólafía Hrönn Jónsdóttir (born 1962), actress
 * Bragi Ólafsson (born 1962), musician and writer
 * Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson (born 1962), businessman, writer and scientist
 * Kristín Ómarsdóttir (born 1962), poet and writer
 * Ásbjörn Óttarsson (born 1962), politician
 * Sjón (born 1962), poet, novelist and lyricist
 * Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir (born 1963), children's writer, columnist and novelist
 * Logi Gunnarsson (born 1963), philosopher
 * Jóhann Hjartarson (born 1963), chess grandmaster
 * Óskar Jónasson (born 1963), film director and screenwriter
 * Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson (born 1963), actor
 * Jón Kalman Stefánsson (born 1963), author
 * Halla Margrét Árnadóttir (born 1964), singer
 * Snorri Magnússon (born 1964), the head of the Icelandic Association of Police Officers
 * Magnús Scheving (born 1964), writer, entrepreneur, producer, actor and athlete
 * Bjarni Bjarnason (born 1965), writer
 * Björk (born 1965), singer, songwriter, actress, record producer and DJ
 * Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (born 1965), politician
 * Steinunn Valdís Óskarsdóttir (born 1965), politician and mayor of Reykjavík from 2004 to 2006
 * María Sólrún Sigurðardóttir (born 1965), German film director
 * Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir (born 1965), politician

1966–1970

 * Ragna Árnadóttir (born 1966), lawyer and politician
 * Árni Páll Árnason (born 1966), politician
 * Eagle Egilsson (born 1966), television director and cinematographer
 * Hilmar Jensson (born 1966), guitarist
 * Baltasar Kormákur (born 1966), actor, theater and film director
 * Ólöf Nordal (1966–2017), politician
 * Skúli Sverrisson (born 1966), composer and bass guitarist
 * Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson (born 1967), businessman and entrepreneur
 * Jón Gnarr (born 1967), actor, comedian and politician
 * Erla S. Haraldsdóttir (born 1967), visual artist
 * Helgi Hjörvar (born 1967), politician
 * Áslaug Magnúsdóttir (born 1967), business woman and entrepreneur
 * Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson (born 1967), politician
 * Katrín Sigurdardóttir (born 1967), artist
 * Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner (born 1967), programmer and businessman
 * Guðni Th. Jóhannesson (born 1968), President of Iceland since 2016
 * Hermann Stefánsson (born 1968), writer, musician and poet
 * Halla Tómasdóttir (born 1968), business person and public speaker
 * Ármann Þorvaldsson (born 1968), UK CEO of Kaupthing Bank
 * Hilmir Snær Guðnason (born 1969), actor and voice actor
 * Jóhann Jóhannsson (born 1969), composer
 * Rúnar Kristinsson (born 1969), footballer
 * Ásta Kristjana Sveinsdóttir (born 1969), philosopher
 * Steinunn Ólína Þorsteinsdóttir (born 1969), actress, TV show host, producer and writer
 * Bjarni Benediktsson (born 1970), politician
 * Gerður Kristný (born 1970), poet
 * Anna Mjöll (born 1970), jazz singer and songwriter
 * Paul Oscar (born 1970), pop singer, songwriter and disc jockey

1971–1975



 * Ragnar Bragason (born 1971), film director, screenwriter and producer
 * Gabríela Friðriksdóttir (born 1971), artist and sculptor
 * Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir (born 1971), Icelandic politician
 * Helgi Kolviðsson (born 1971), footballer
 * Ragnheiður Melsteð (born 1971), executive producer and co-founder of LazyTown Entertainment
 * Hera Björk (born 1972), singer
 * Arnar Grétarsson (born 1972), football manager and former professional football player
 * Guðjón Már Guðjónsson (born 1972), entrepreneur and the CEO of OZ
 * Eygló Harðardóttir (born 1972), politician
 * Gunnhildur Hauksdóttir (born 1972), visual artist
 * Jón Atli Jónasson (born 1972), playwright and screenwriter
 * Steinunn Kristín Þórðardóttir (born 1972), businesswoman
 * Róbert Ingi Douglas (born 1973), film director, screenwriter and cinematographer
 * Gísli Örn Garðarsson (born 1973), actor and director
 * Judith Ingolfsson (born 1973), violinist
 * Auður Jónsdóttir (born 1973), author
 * Andri Snær Magnason (born 1973), writer
 * Dagur Sigurðsson (born 1973), handball player
 * Ólafur Stefánsson (born 1973), handball player
 * Selma Björnsdóttir (born 1974), actress and singer
 * Garðar Thór Cortes (born 1974), tenor
 * Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir (born 1974), actress and producer
 * Katrin Fridriks (born 1974), abstract painter
 * Kristján Helgason (born 1974), snooker player
 * Hermann Hreiðarsson (born 1974), footballer
 * Katrín Júlíusdóttir (born 1974), politician
 * Guðmundur Þór Kárason (born 1974), puppet designer and puppeteer
 * Helgi Sigurðsson (born 1974), footballer
 * Mikael Torfason (born 1974), writer
 * Árni Gautur Arason (born 1975), football goalkeeper
 * Heimir Björgúlfsson (born 1975), artist
 * Brynjar Gunnarsson (born 1975), footballer
 * Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson (born 1975), politician
 * Gunnleifur Gunnleifsson (born 1975), football goalkeeper
 * Ófeigur Sigurðsson (born 1975), poet, novelist and translator
 * Sigfús Sigurðsson (born 1975), handball player
 * Héðinn Steingrímsson (born 1975), chess grandmaster
 * Thóra Arnórsdóttir (born 1975), media personality

1976–1980



 * Kalli Bjarni (born 1976), singer
 * Bryndís Haraldsdóttir (born 1976), politician
 * Katrín Jakobsdóttir (born 1976), politician
 * Ragnar Kjartansson (born 1976), artist
 * Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir (born 1976), writer
 * Björgvin Franz Gíslason (born 1977), actor, entertainer and children's television host
 * Gylfi Gylfason (born 1977), handball player
 * Haraldur Þorvarðarson (born 1977), handball player
 * Ívar Ingimarsson (born 1977), footballer
 * Hössi Ólafsson (born 1977), singer, rapper, producer, writer and actor
 * Regína Ósk (born 1977), singer
 * Snorri Snorrason (born 1977), singer
 * Svala (born 1977), singer and songwriter
 * Guðlaugur Arnarsson (born 1978), handball player
 * Gylfi Einarsson (born 1978), football player
 * Vala Flosadóttir (born 1978), athlete
 * Eiður Guðjohnsen (born 1978), footballer
 * Rökkvi Vésteinsson (born 1978), comedian
 * Arnar Viðarsson (born 1978), footballer
 * Jóhannes Ásbjörnsson (born 1979), TV and radio show host
 * Eva Maria Daniels (1979–2023), film producer
 * Guðjón Valur Sigurðsson (born 1979), handball player
 * Andri Steinn (born 1979), film editor
 * Ólöf Arnalds (born 1980), singer/songwriter
 * Sturla Ásgeirsson (born 1980), handball player
 * Baldur Bett (born 1980), footballer
 * Róbert Gunnarsson (born 1980), handball player
 * Veigar Páll Gunnarsson (born 1980), football striker
 * Ingimundur Ingimundarson (born 1980), handball player
 * Vignir Svavarsson (born 1980), handball player

1981–1985



 * Örn Arnarson (born 1981), swimmer
 * Snorri Guðjónsson (born 1981), handball player
 * Indriði Sigurðsson (born 1981), football defender
 * Anita Briem (born 1982), actress
 * Ásmundur Einar Daðason (born 1982), politician
 * Hildur Vala Einarsdóttir (born 1982), singer
 * Logi Geirsson (born 1982), handballer
 * Hildur Guðnadóttir (born 1982), Academy Award-winning composer
 * Guðmundur Steinn Gunnarsson (born 1982), composer
 * Ágústa Eva Erlendsdóttir (born 1982), singer and actress
 * Stefan Kristjansson (born 1982), chess grandmaster
 * Jón Arnór Stefánsson (born 1982), basketball player
 * Halla Vilhjálmsdóttir (born 1982), television, film actress and singer
 * Hera Hjartardóttir (born 1983), singer-songwriter
 * Ragna Ingólfsdóttir (born 1983), badminton player
 * Hannes Sigurðsson (born 1983), football striker
 * Ólafur Ingi Skúlason (born 1983), footballer
 * Hannes Þór Halldórsson (born 1984), footballer
 * Þórunn Helga Jónsdóttir (born 1984), footballer
 * Ýmir Vigfússon (born 1984), hacker and computer security expert
 * Unnur Birna Vilhjálmsdóttir (born 1984), actress, lawyer, model and beauty queen
 * Ásgeir Örn Hallgrímsson (born 1984), handball player
 * Hólmfríður Magnúsdóttir (born 1984), footballer
 * Sölvi Ottesen (born 1984), footballer
 * Birkir Már Sævarsson (born 1984), footballer
 * Sunna Davíðsdóttir (born 1985), mixed martial artist
 * Ásdís Hjálmsdóttir (born 1985), javelin thrower
 * Þorgerður Ólafsdóttir (born 1985), visual artist

1986–1990



 * Helgi Þór Arason (born 1986), pop singer
 * Freyja Haraldsdóttir (born 1986), politician
 * Jóhanna Vala Jónsdóttir (born 1986), Miss Iceland 2007
 * Ragnar Sigurðsson (born 1986), footballer
 * Guðjón Baldvinsson (born 1986), footballer
 * Theódór Elmar Bjarnason (born 1987), footballer
 * Guðmundur Jörundsson (born 1987), fashion designer
 * Ari Freyr Skúlason (born 1987), football player
 * Sævar Birgisson (born 1988), cross-country skier
 * Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (born 1988), strongman, actor and former basketball player
 * Salka Sól Eyfeld (born 1988), singer, actress, radio host and TV-presenter
 * Rúrik Gíslason (born 1988), footballer
 * Bjarki Már Gunnarsson (born 1988), handball player
 * Eggert Jónsson (born 1988), footballer
 * Rúnar Kárason (born 1988), handball player
 * Heida Reed (born 1988), actress and model
 * Bjarni Viðarsson (born 1988), footballer
 * Alfreð Finnbogason (born 1989), footballer
 * Alexandra Ívarsdóttir (born 1989), beauty pageant contestant; Miss Iceland 2008
 * Ögmundur Kristinsson (born 1989), football goalkeeper
 * Baltasar Breki Samper (born 1989), actor
 * Gylfi Sigurðsson (born 1989), footballer
 * Anníe Mist Þórisdóttir (born 1989), CrossFit Athlete, 2x CrossFit Games Champion
 * Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir (born 1989), poet and literary curator
 * Bjarki Már Elísson (born 1990), handball player
 * Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson (born 1990), footballer
 * Kolbeinn Sigþórsson (born 1990), footballer
 * Kristinn Steindórsson (born 1990), footballer

1991–2010



 * Helga Margrét Þorsteinsdóttir (born 1991), heptathlete
 * Sigurdur Thordarson (born 1992), whistleblower
 * Hjörvar Steinn Grétarsson (born 1993), chess grandmaster
 * Hörður Björgvin Magnússon (born 1993), footballer
 * Aron Elís Þrándarson (born 1994), footballer
 * Eygló Ósk Gústafsdóttir (born 1995), swimmer
 * Hjörtur Hermannsson (born 1995), footballer
 * Elín Metta Jensen (born 1995), footballer
 * Aníta Hinriksdóttir (born 1996), middle-distance track athlete
 * Ari Ólafsson (born 1998), singer
 * Laufey Lín Jónsdóttir (born 1999), singer-songwriter

Lived in Reykjavík

 * Einar Sveinsson (1906–1973), City Architect of Reykjavík between 1934–1973
 * Nína Björk Árnadóttir (1941–2000), playwright, poet and novelist
 * Árni Sigfússon (born 1956), former mayor of Reykjavík (1994)
 * Svandís Svavarsdóttir (born 1964), member of the Icelandic parliament
 * Disa Eythorsdottir (born 1965), Iceland-born American bridge player
 * Bjarni Haukur Thorsson (born 1971), director, writer, producer and actor
 * Alex Somers (born 1984), American visual artist and musician
 * Gunnar Nelson (born 1988), Icelandic MMA fighter