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Freyja

♀ Girl

Pronounced FRAY-yah /ˈfɹeɪ.jə/High

Meaning: Lady, noblewoman, or mistress; from Old Norse fru or freyja meaning lady or noblewoman, the name of the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertilityHigh

In 30 seconds: Freyja means lady or noblewoman in Old Norse, the authentic Norse spelling of Freya, the goddess of love, beauty, war, and magic, bringing ancient Viking mythology to life as one of the fastest-rising girls names worldwide.

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Origin HighOld Norse

MeaningLady, noblewoman, or mistress; from Old Norse fru or freyja meaning lady or noblewoman, the name of the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility

U.S. rank (2025)#772 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births352 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,851

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Freyja is the authentic Old Norse form of the goddess name, meaning lady or mistress. The goddess Freyja was associated with love, beauty, fertility, war, and death. She rode a chariot pulled by cats, wore a feather-cloak that enabled flight, and possessed the necklace Brisingamen. Friday (Old English Frigedaeg) may derive from her name.

The name Freyja/Freya has been used in Scandinavia as a given name for centuries and has risen dramatically in English-speaking countries in the 21st century, particularly in the UK and Australia. The Norse spelling Freyja is seen as more authentic than Freya and appeals to parents seeking the mythological form.

Did you know? Freya/Freyja is the most important goddess in the Norse pantheon and is said to have taught Odin the seid magic she mastered. Half of all warriors slain in battle were taken to her hall Folkvangr, the other half going to Odin's Valhalla.

Overall data confidence 98%

Behind the Name — Freyja — Old Norse mythology and etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

FreyaFrejaFreia

Nicknames

FreyFia

Famous Bearers

★Freyja (antiquity)
Freyja is the foremost goddess of Norse mythology, associated with love, beauty, fertility, war, gold, and seiðr — the Old Norse shamanic art of seeing and shaping fate — and her name was used by Norse poets as a common noun simply meaning lady, reflecting her supreme cultural importance. A member of the Vanir gods and twin sister of Freyr, she rules Fólkvangr where she receives half of all warriors who fall in battle (Odin claiming the other half for Valhalla); she rides a chariot drawn by two cats, owns the renowned necklace Brísingamen, and possesses a falcon-feather cloak that other gods borrow in key mythological episodes. Her name is attested throughout the Poetic Edda, Prose Edda, and Heimskringla — 13th-century Icelandic manuscripts recording much older Norse traditions — and is preserved in the English word Friday (Old English Frigedæg).

If you like Freyja…

Freya— the modern spelling of the exact same name and goddess

Astrid— same Old Norse divine feminine name with strong mythological roots

Ingrid— shares the Old Norse tradition of elegant feminine names from Scandinavia

Freja— shares Freyja's Old Norse roots

Colbie— a fellow Old Norse choice

Explore names like Freyja

By themetwo-syllable mythology scandinavian old-norse viking

By meaningLove God / Divine Royal / Noble Beauty

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Freyja mean?

Freyja means lady or noblewoman in Old Norse, and is the name of the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.

How do you pronounce Freyja?

It is said FRAY-yah, two syllables with stress on the first.

What is the difference between Freyja and Freya?

Freyja is the authentic Old Norse spelling, while Freya is the modern Anglicized form; both refer to the same Norse goddess.

Is Freyja a popular name?

Freya and Freyja have become among the most popular girls names in the UK, Scandinavia, and Australia in recent years.