Baby Names Girl Names Freya Name Meaning Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Freya. By Vicky Yip Published on June 14, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article How Popular Is the Name Freya? Name Variations Similar Names Common Nicknames for Freya Suggested Sibling Names Famous People Named Freya Close A classic name steeped in Nordic tradition, the name Freya possesses a strong and modern vibe while giving a nod to Old Norse mythology. Derived from the name Freyja, it means “a noble woman.” Freya is the name of the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. She was a deity who practiced magical arts and divination, which allowed practitioners to see and change the future. Freya was also ruler over the meadow where she received slain heroes of the battlefield. The mythological roots of this Nordic name are still evident today. The Danish national anthem honors the goddess Freya by referring to Denmark as the “hall of Freya.” Origin: Freya is a Scandinavian name meaning "a noble woman”Gender: Freya is most commonly used as a girl name. Masculine variations include Frey and Freyr.Pronunciation: FRAY-ya Editor's Note Although many baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It's important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best. How Popular Is the Name Freya? The name Freya has not always been popular in the United States. Freya started to gain traction here only in recent years, entering the Social Security Administration list of the top 1,000 names for the first time in 2013. Ranked as No. 910 upon its first appearance, the name has since jumped hundreds of spots. In 2022, Freya was ranked as the 129th most popular name for girls in the US, which is the peak of its popularity so far. Freya may still have room to grow, but it probably made its biggest leap between 2013 and 2014 when it skipped 326 spots in one year. The name may have started trending in conjunction with the rise in popularity of Australian actress Freya Tingley and Scottish actress and model Freya Mavor, who both starred in several movies and television series. In addition, in 2016, The New Yorker reported on the trend in hygge, the concept of Scandinavian coziness. The surge of US interest in hygge may have contributed to the rising popularity of all things Scandinavian, including baby names. Name Variations The following are variations of the name Freya: Freja (Danish, Swedish) Freyja (Icelandic) Frøya (Norwegian) Frea (Old Norse Mythology) Similar Names Similar sounding names to Freya include: AnyaAriaCamilliaDanyaElysiaGloriaMoyaMayaOlympiaOphelia Other Scandinavian names include: AstridBrittaEllaHeidiHildaKatjaNoraVera Other girl names starting with "F" include: FaithFallonFarrahFatimaFayeFeliciaFinleyFionnaFleurFloraFlorenceFrancesFrancineFrankieFrieda Common Nicknames for Freya Freya is already a short and sweet name, so it may not need a nickname. But possible choices include: FreyYayaFrayFeeFae Suggested Sibling Names Looking for a sibling or twin name for Freya? Here are some popular options: AmyCharlesDorotheaEthelFinnFrederikFridaHannaHansKaiLeifLeoOkieStormWalter Famous People Named Freya Notable women named Freya appeared throughout history. Those who bear the name have ranged from fictional characters to modern film stars. Famous Freyas Freya Allan, English actress best known for her role as Princess Cirilla of Cintra in the Netflix series The WitcherFreya Anderson, British swimmer, known primarily for her achievements as a freestyle sprinter who won three gold medals and four bronze medals at the European and World ChampionshipsFreya Christine Clausen, Danish singer-songwriter and television personality based in CopenhagenFreya North, British writer whose romantic novels are seen as one of the precursors to modern chick-litFreya Stark, explorer and writer from the 1930s to 1980s who traveled extensively in the Middle East and nearby countriesFreya Tingley, Australian actress who has appeared in numerous television shows and films, including the 2014 American musical drama Jersey BoysFreya Manfred, modern American poet whose work has been published in magazines and books since the 1970sFreya Mavor, Scottish actress and model who starred in The ABC Murders, a BBC One mystery-thriller television series that originally aired in 2018 Fictional Characters Named Freya Freya, goddess associated with love, beauty, and fertility in Norse mythology who rules over her heavenly field and rides a chariot pulled by two catsFreya, fictional female character in Joseph Conrad’s novel Freya and the Seven Isles (1912), who navigates a romance against a backdrop of conflict between Dutch and British merchant naviesFreya, mythical Asgardian goddess appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics as a supporting character of ThorFreya, title character of the novel Freya by Anthony Quinn that follows the story of a headstrong heroine over two decades while she navigates the post-war 1940s to the cultural shifts of the 1960s More Baby Names Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options: Top 1,000 Baby Girl Names 50 Constellation Baby Names 50 Creative Baby Names Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Change in Name Popularity. Social Security Administration.