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Svea
Pronounced SVAY-ah /ˈsveɪ.ɑ/High
Meaning: The poetic personification of Sweden (Moder Svea, 'Mother Sweden'), from Svear, the people who gave Sweden its nameHigh
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
Svea derives from the Svear, the people of central Sweden whose name became the country's, personified as Moder Svea, 'Mother Sweden', in poetry and statuary since the seventeenth century. As a given name it has been a Swedish favorite for over a century.
It is climbing again across Scandinavia and reaching the U.S. through Swedish-American families and the broader Nordic-name vogue (Saga, Astrid). Rare stateside, patriotic at home.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Svea Holst (1901-1996)Swedish film actress
- ★Svea Norén (1895-)Swedish figure skater who competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Svea mean?
Svea is the personification of Sweden — Moder Svea, 'Mother Sweden' — named for the ancient Svear people.
How do you pronounce Svea?
It's said SVAY-ah /ˈsveɪ.ɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Svea a boy or girl name?
Svea is a girl's name.
How popular is Svea?
Svea is rare in the U.S. and a longtime favorite in Sweden.