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Freya
Pronounced FRAY-uh /ˈfreɪ.ə/High
Meaning: Noble woman; lady — from Old Norse <em>Freyja</em>, from <em>freyja</em> meaning 'lady, mistress'High
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Freya is the Anglicization of Old Norse Freyja, a compound possibly from freyja (lady, mistress) related to the Old High German frouwa (lady). In Norse mythology, Freyja is the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, gold, war, and magic. She rides a chariot pulled by cats, and half of those slain in battle go to her hall, Fólkvangr.
Freya has been used in Scandinavian countries throughout recorded history. In the English-speaking world it emerged as a given name in the 19th century during a period of interest in Norse mythology, but rose dramatically in the 2000s–2010s. It is now a top-10 girls' name in Scotland and England, and ranks in the U.S. top 200.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Freyja (Norse goddess) (mythological)Norse goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and war; one of the principal deities of the Norse pantheon.
Frequently Asked
What does the name Freya mean?
Freya comes from the Old Norse <em>Freyja</em> meaning 'lady' or 'noble woman,' and is the name of the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and war.
How do you pronounce Freya?
Freya is pronounced FRAY-uh /ˈfreɪ.ə/ — two syllables with stress on the first.
Is Freya a boy or girl name?
Freya is a feminine name, as it derives from a female Norse deity.
How popular is Freya?
Freya is a top-10 girls' name in England, Scotland, and several Scandinavian countries, and is rising in the U.S. top 200.