The nameFreya
Freya is the name of the Norse goddess of love and beauty. It has been one of the favourite girls' names in England and Wales since the 2000s.
- Girl's name
- Norse
Meaning
Freya comes from the Old Norse Freyja, "lady", a title matching her brother Freyr, "lord".
Origin
Norse. Freyja is a major goddess of Scandinavian mythology, linked with love, fertility and war. The English word Friday is named after Frigg, a goddess often confused with her.
History
Freya grew popular in Britain from the late 1990s and reached fifth place in England and Wales in 2023. It is much less common in the United States.
Did you know?
- The explorer Freya Stark travelled through southern Arabia in the 1930s and lived to the age of 100.
Famous people named Freya
- Freya Stark, explorer and travel writer
- Freya Allan, actress
- Freya Ridings, singer
Popularity of the name Freya
Freya in the United States
Freya was most popular in the United States in the 2020s, with 9,598 births over the decade, 53% of all recorded babies named Freya. Its rise began around 2013, and it peaked in 2022. Half of all babies named Freya in the United States were born before 2020, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,920 births a year on average, against 1,121 in the five years before.
Freya in the United Kingdom
Freya was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 25,611 births over the decade, 44% of all recorded babies named Freya. Half of all babies named Freya in the United Kingdom were born before 2013, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 2,388 births a year.
Freya in Ireland
Freya in France
Freya in Belgium
Sibling names for Freya
Names from the same generation as Freya, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Freya? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Freya with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Freya side by side with the name of your choice.
Freya in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Freya mean?
Freya comes from the Old Norse Freyja, "lady", a title matching her brother Freyr, "lord".
What is the origin of the name Freya?
Norse. Freyja is a major goddess of Scandinavian mythology, linked with love, fertility and war. The English word Friday is named after Frigg, a goddess often confused with her.
Is Freya a girl's or a boy's name?
Freya is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Freya?
In 2024, Freya was the 160th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 1,877 births.
What are good sibling names for Freya?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Ophelia, Poppy, Nova and Margot for a sister, Arlo, Zayn, Waylon and Maverick for a brother.
Who are famous people named Freya?
Freya Stark, explorer and travel writer; Freya Allan, actress; Freya Ridings, singer.