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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Freya, Freyja or Freja?

39 replies

FoleyHuck · 05/05/2024 19:53

Hi All

4 weeks until d-day and DH and I are driving ourselves mad trying to choose names.

For girls we had Edith, Matilda and Astrid on the shortlist but have been going back and forth on all of them. My current favourite of the 3 is Edith / Edie. I like the idea of Astrid more than I actually like the name I think. Matilda appeals because I loved the book when I was a young avid reader, and because it offers a lot of variant potential (Tilly, Tilda, Tilde, Matti etc).

We've now upped the confusion by adding Freya / Freja / Freyja to the list and it's fast growing on me, but I can't decide which would be the best spelling to use.

We live in Britain, but DH is Scandinavian, as is our surname.

Any thoughts please wise MNetters? I'm finding myself very jealous of people who knew their baby's name for certain early on! Let's not even mention that we don't know if baby is a girl or a boy, so this is only half the discussion!! Confused

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FlyingPizzaMonkey · 05/05/2024 20:49

Freya is soooo popular it will always be Freya in the U.K. Tbh it’s so common that would put me off. I love Edie (but not Edith).

toastofthetown · 05/05/2024 20:19

Freya is (or at least was according to the last data from 2021) the 6th most popular baby name in England and Wales. As it's so popular it will be the default spelling for almost everyone. Unless there's a reason for choosing another spelling, I'd pick the most popular spelling of a name because it would probably make their life easier.

Moreteaandchocolate · 05/05/2024 20:16

I love Freya - I would personally choose this spelling as it’s the one used in the UK and will save a lot of hassle for her. (I like Freya best of all your name ideas - it’s lovely)

MumChp · 05/05/2024 20:16

Freja or Freya is fine.

sarahsunny · 05/05/2024 20:15

pictoosh · 05/05/2024 19:58

Everyone will spell it Freya...so Freya. Keep it simple.

^ This

SprigatitoYouAndIKnow · 05/05/2024 20:09

Freja is the nicest I think. I don't understand why you would do "yj" as they are both "y" sounds in each country. It seems overdoing it. Also, many countries have the j being a y, so don't assume she will stay here when she grows up. If you even use the name of course.

DragonFly98 · 05/05/2024 20:06

Neither they all sound like cheese. Your other names are all lovely.

Original poster
FoleyHuck · 05/05/2024 20:05

Pancakefam · 05/05/2024 19:57

Wait until you meet the baby. It's good to have lots of options. Freya, out of the spellings though

This is what DH says but I suffer from decision paralysis and fear we'll end up at the registry deadline and still going round in circles Blush

OP posts:
pictoosh · 05/05/2024 19:58

Everyone will spell it Freya...so Freya. Keep it simple.

cariadlet · 05/05/2024 19:58

All your names are lovely so I can see your dilemma.

Freya is the most common spelling in the UK but if your dh is Scandinavian then I think a traditional Scandinavian spelling would also be fine.

Pancakefam · 05/05/2024 19:57

Wait until you meet the baby. It's good to have lots of options. Freya, out of the spellings though

CutiePatooties · 05/05/2024 19:55

Freya

grizzlygrump · 05/05/2024 19:55

Freja is lovely, and that’s the spelling I would go for (I'm Scandi living in UK too). Sure they’ll have to say ‘with a j’ when spelling their name but who cares!

Dareisayiseethesunshine · 05/05/2024 19:54

The 2 Freja's known to us all get Frigda... As a piss take...
Freya and save your dd the hassle..