Find out how popular the first name Freyja has been for the last 30 years (from 1994 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Freyja by gender

Based on the last 30 years of data, Freyja is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 473 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Freyja.

The history of the first name Freyja

Freyja is a feminine given name of Old Norse origin, derived from the name of the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, Freyja. The name is believed to have emerged during the Viking Age, around the 8th to 11th centuries CE, when the Norse pagans worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses.

The name Freyja is thought to be related to the Old Norse word "fró," which means "lady" or "mistress." It is also associated with the Old Norse word "frjó," meaning "seed" or "offspring," reflecting Freyja's role as a fertility goddess. The name is sometimes spelled as Freya or Freyia, depending on the language and cultural context.

Freyja was a prominent figure in Norse mythology, and her name appears in various ancient texts and sagas, such as the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, which were compiled in the 13th century CE. These texts describe Freyja as the daughter of the sea god Njörðr and the sister of the fertility god Freyr. She was revered for her beauty, her ability to inspire love, and her power over fertility and childbirth.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Freyja dates back to the 9th century CE, when a Swedish woman named Freyja was mentioned in the Saga of the Jómsvikings. Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Freyja, including:

1. Freyja Haraldsóttir (c. 975 – c. 1050), a Norwegian noblewoman and the daughter of King Harald Greyhide.
2. Freyja Eriksdotter (c. 1250 – c. 1310), a Swedish princess and the daughter of King Eric XI of Sweden.
3. Freyja Gunnarsdóttir (c. 1530 – c. 1590), an Icelandic poet and one of the few known female poets of the Icelandic Renaissance.
4. Freyja von Moltke (1852 – 1935), a German writer and social activist, known for her efforts in promoting women's rights and education.
5. Freyja Víðarsdóttir (1980 – present), an Icelandic actress and television personality, known for her roles in Icelandic films and TV series.

The name Freyja has remained popular among Scandinavian and Germanic cultures, and it continues to be used as a given name in various parts of the world, particularly in regions with strong Norse cultural influences or connections.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Freyja was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Freyja, please contact us.

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