← All names

Freya

Girl name · 5,496 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Freya: 5,496 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 294 births in 2022.

Freya comes from Old Norse Freyja, meaning “lady” or “noblewoman” – the name of the Norse goddess of love, beauty, war, and magic. Notable bearers include the intrepid British explorer Freya Stark, who mapped remote corners of the Middle East, and Scottish singer-songwriter Freya Ridings, known for her haunting vocals. While no major place honours the goddess directly, the name shares its root with Friday (from “Freya’s day”) in some Germanic traditions. In Scotland, Freya has soared in popularity since the 1990s, often spelled Freyja to reflect its Old Norse origins, though the simpler form remains the most common choice for new parents today.