Freyja
Guys
Why the name Freyja become more popular in English-speaking countries? Is that because of Icelandic population living in the UK, USA, etc...?
https://www.behindthename.com/name/freyja/top/england-wales
https://www.behindthename.com/name/freyja/top/united-states
Why the name Freyja become more popular in English-speaking countries? Is that because of Icelandic population living in the UK, USA, etc...?
https://www.behindthename.com/name/freyja/top/england-wales
https://www.behindthename.com/name/freyja/top/united-states
Replies
I think it has a lot to do with the Thor franchise enjoying a resurgence in popularity. People who like the Thor movie or comics may want to pay homage to it in a subtle way, so may choose the authentic spelling of Thor’s mother to give to their daughter.
Except that Thor's mother in the MCU is Frigga. Freyja is a different goddess from a different pantheon. Frigga is love, Freyja is "(The) Lady" and isn't usually named at all. Frigga is universally Germanic, Freyja is uniquely Scandinavian, as the same word in other languages is used as an honorific for most women.
Please look up Freyja Freyrdottir from the MCU. You’ll find both spellings have been used in comics.
The current official MCU material makes a clear distinction, with no mention of Freyja as an alias of Frigga. For the Marvel comic references these are currently referenced as different characters from two separate universes, one with Freyja, and another with Frigga, and the bios of each make no reference to the other. Although they have similar positions, Frigga is not called Freyja, and Freyja is not called Frigga. The MCU, as I said, picks Frigga.
Interesting opinion
This message was edited 7/9/2023, 10:54 AM
It's been rising in popularity since long before those movies.
Just so you are aware, the movies are based on comics.
I am aware.
I’m also aware that comics very rarely have an impact on naming practices, especially compared to movies.
I’m also aware that comics very rarely have an impact on naming practices, especially compared to movies.
Not true.
I’m trying to think of a single name trend that has categorically come from comics, but I am coming up blank. Can you suggest any?
Also, I was a teenage namesnerd when Freya started becoming popular, and I can remember enough about the popular media of the time to say that the Thor comics were definitely not in the public mind enough to inspire a naming trend.
Also, I was a teenage namesnerd when Freya started becoming popular, and I can remember enough about the popular media of the time to say that the Thor comics were definitely not in the public mind enough to inspire a naming trend.
Yes! I can. Clark has risen in popularity despite the movie flopping. Meanwhile vintage Superman comics go for higher prices than ever. That’s just one example. Ivy has risen in popularity also since the resurgence of vintage comic trading in the 90s yet the Poison Ivy character never made it into movies (Which, by the way, the reason why comics enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the 90s is in large part due to eBay.) I’m not sure why you feel so adamant to make claims on which you have not studied.
This message was edited 6/26/2023, 6:21 PM
Clark has risen every time there was a Superman movie around (regardless of whether or not it flopped).
Poison Ivy was a main character in 1997’s Batman & Robin film; however, Ivy as a name is linked to broader nature name trends and I can’t see any evidence that its popularity is linked to the character.
Poison Ivy was a main character in 1997’s Batman & Robin film; however, Ivy as a name is linked to broader nature name trends and I can’t see any evidence that its popularity is linked to the character.