What is wrong with 'Freya'?

Oh, it is a zombie thread, isn't it. The kid'll be 8 or so now.

I have long liked it because of Freya's association with cats. She had some, 2 maybe, that pulled her chariot. But that is neither here nor there. I think Saskia and Elke have a similar feeling.

Freya is growing in popularity in Australia as well. In 2020 it was the 58th most popular girl's name in the state of Victoria with 102 babies named Freya ☺️ Good luck making your decision!

It's okay. Just a bit dull and... Weak, somehow.

It's a nice name but I wouldn't use it as it's overused.

@AlfonsoTheMango all best to you - I wish I might have the opportunity to speak to her

[quote BasiliskStare]@AlfonsoTheMango

Was that a typo - do you mean Freya Stark ? What a woman en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freya_Stark[/quote]
Thank you, yes! I screwed up the first post, asked MN to delete it and made a crucial typo in my second post.

I spoke to Ms Stark by telephone years ago. She invited me to visit her in Asolo but sadly I didn't get the chance to do so before she died.

She was incredible.

Freya? Yuk.
But that's just my opinion.
If you like it, use it.

I would have a 21 year old Freya if he’d been a girl! I still like it a lot, haven’t gone off it at all.

Freya has a beautiful sound imo, but is very "modern" in the UK - statistically it would be fairly unusual to meet a Freya over 40. If you like Scandi influenced names, something like Astrid, Ingrid, Frida, Elin or Kirsten/Kristen feels more traditional I think.

On the opposite side, Eleanor/Elinor (I haven't seen the Elanor spelling before apart from Lord of the Rings?) is very classic - apparently it's been in and out of the top 50 since the 1500's! So despite it's current popularity, imo Eleanor has a timeless feel and is less likely to ever feel really dated.

My 18 year old has had 4 Freyas in her year at school. I know a couple of others a bit younger. I don't feel as though it's super popular in our area any longer (N London).
I do like it though - all the ones I've met have been lovely in every way.

@AlfonsoTheMango

Was that a typo - do you mean Freya Stark ? What a woman en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freya_Stark

The only Freya I've met had a Scandinavian father. Her brother also had a Scandinavian name (I'm not going to be more specific than that!). So it can't be incredibly common in all areas?

If you like Scandi names, have you considered Karin (pronounced Car-in)? Seems more unusual in this country, and means Pure. I think it's a variant of Katherine.

Oh I see some comments that it has become
Popular in the UK now? I’ve known classmates named Freya in Sweden so it is a normal sounding name to me. But I guess it is unusual in the UK?

What has made it become popular? Are there other Scandinavian names that are popular in the UK? I saw earlier people say the name Axel was not nice but this is also not uncommon in Scandinavia. So I guess it is a matter of what sounds nice to the ear. Personally I like these names, but these are names I’m used to hearing so they sound normal to the ear.

I love the name Freya, although I am biased as it is my name (spelt differently). I'm in my 30s so it was quite an unusual name for me growing up and it's quite strange hearing all the little girls running about with it now. My 2 dds each have 2 Freyas in their classes.

[quote Thedogscollar]@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken

Obviously not.

But I take exception to you saying "They're definitely a certain type of parent."

That is a bollocks comment and unless you know every single parent with a daughter called Freya and they are ALL twats then your comment holds no water.

Before you ask I do not have a daughter called Freya.[/quote]
All the ones I know are. 😊

Freya is the name of a Norse goddess. I have a friend back home in Stockholm however her name is spelled Freyja. It’s a name I’m considering if my baby is a girl.

What is causing derision about the name? I do not understand. Do people not like the name?

I love the name Freya, prefer it to Eleanor.

My friend has just had a Freya, I think it's a gorgeous name x

Gah. I'll try again.

I love the name Freya. Freya Start is a woman I've always respected and admired so your daughter would have a wonderful name role model.

I really don’t like any girls names starting with an F. Freya, Flora, Fiona, Freda, Francesca, they all just seem ugly to me but I guess that’s just personal space. Incidentally I don’t mind boys names starting with F.

I do know several baby Freya’s so if you’re wanting a less common name I’m not sure it’s a good choice.

It's a nice name if pronounced Fray-ah, but not Fray-yah as I've heard around here

It’s popular here, I know three. It is a beautiful name. The mythical Freya drove a carriage pulled by cats. What’s not to like? Not all Scandis are blonde either (look at the moomins).