Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Freya
GirlOld Norse, Scandinavian· “lady”
- Meaning
- lady
- Origin
- Old Norse, Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- FRAY-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #176
- US babies 2025
- 1,746
- Best rank
- #129 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Freya
Freya is an Old Norse and Scandinavian name that means “lady”.
Freya is the English spelling of Freyja, a major goddess in Norse mythology associated with love, beauty, fertility and war. Her name comes from an Old Norse word meaning lady, a title rather than a personal name. Friday may partly echo her or the goddess Frigg, though scholars debate the details. Freyja drove a chariot pulled by cats and owned a precious necklace, and she remains one of the best-known figures of the Norse myths. Freya has become very popular in Britain and is rising in the United States, with a bright, confident sound. Freja is the Scandinavian spelling.
Popularity over time
Freya first appears in US Social Security records in 1931. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 13 different years, starting in 2013. Its best national rank was #129 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,183 babies. In 2025, 1,746 babies were named Freya, and it ranked #176 nationally. That is 127% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #4,454 in 1950, #4,388 in 1980, #3,759 in 2000, #1,396 in 2010, and #176 in 2025. Of the 19,821 US girls named Freya since records began, 57% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 6,960 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Emersyn, Elliana, Remi, Eliza, and Olive.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Freya ranked highest in Alaska, Vermont, and Montana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | #33 | 13 |
| Vermont | #60 | 7 |
| Montana | #67 | 13 |
| North Dakota | #75 | 12 |
| Washington | #78 | 76 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Freya is usually pronounced FRAY-uh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with F and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Freya
A few middle names that flow with Freya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Freya
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Lists that include Freya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Freya mean?
Freya is an Old Norse and Scandinavian name that means “lady”.
What is the origin of the name Freya?
Freya has Old Norse and Scandinavian roots. Freya is the English spelling of Freyja, a major goddess in Norse mythology associated with love, beauty, fertility and war.
Is Freya a popular name?
Yes. Freya ranked #176 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Freya a boy or girl name?
Freya is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Freya?
Freya is usually pronounced FRAY-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings